Information on the Target

FLEX Capital Beteiligung and SOP Hilmbauer & Mauberger GmbH have entered into a strategic merger. SOP is a leading provider of software solutions focused on international mobility and partnership management for higher education institutions. With headquarters in Vienna and Amstetten, as well as additional locations in Wiener Neustadt and Bremen, the company has over 20 years of experience and is recognized as one of the most established providers in the European higher education market. Its platform, Mobility-Online, is utilized by over 400 prestigious universities globally, including ETH Zurich, the University of Vienna, and CBS International Business School.

Industry Overview in Austria

The higher education sector in Austria is characterized by a strong focus on internationalization and collaboration among institutions. Many universities are actively engaging in global partnerships to enhance student mobility and research opportunities. As a result, there is a growing demand for effective digital solutions that facilitate these processes.

Austrian universities are increasingly adopting technology to streamline administration processes and improve student experiences. This trend is driving the need for integrated software solutions that can manage both internal workflows and external partnerships efficiently.

Diverse funding opportunities and government initiatives further support the growth of digital solutions in the educational sector. Institutions are encouraged to pursue innovative approaches to enhance academic mobility, which creates a favorable environment for companies like SOP and Simovative.

The Rationale Behind the Deal

The merger between Simovative and SOP is aimed at creating a comprehensive platform for international higher education mobility. By combining their expertise, they can offer a more robust service that includes the digitalization of both internal administrative processes and external mobility functions such as Erasmus+ and international partnerships.

This strategic alignment is expected to produce substantial synergies, enhance brand presence, and drive forward a shared vision: the holistic digitalization of academic processes within the higher education landscape.

Information About the Investor

FLEX Capital specializes in entrepreneurial private equity investments with operational depth, focusing on companies that have significant growth potential. Since its entry into the partnership in January 2025, FLEX Capital has supported Simovative in achieving key milestones, including the successful acquisition of SOP as its first strategic partner and securing ETH Zurich as a critical client in the public university sector.

With a team of experts adept at driving operational growth, FLEX Capital is committed to fostering sustainable development and continuous technological innovation within the educational software sector.

View of Dealert

The merger of Simovative and SOP presents a compelling investment opportunity, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to address the growing need for digital solutions in higher education. By combining their offerings, they are well-positioned to create a leading European platform that can drive substantial growth and innovation.

Given the increasing emphasis on digitalization in the education sector, this alliance can enhance operational efficiencies and provide enhanced services to universities, ultimately leading to greater customer satisfaction and engagement.

Furthermore, with FLEX Capital's support, the strategic vision for a sustainable and scalable growth model suggests that this deal may significantly strengthen both companies' market positions. As such, investors can reasonably expect a solid return on investment backed by a deep understanding of the market.

Overall, this merger not only offers a promising path for both Simovative and SOP but also represents a broader trend in the educational landscape toward integrated digital services, making it a potentially excellent investment choice.

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