IFS announces it has achieved a valuation of over EUR 15 billion following a significant pivot to AI-driven growth. The valuation comes as Hg increases its stake to become a co-control shareholder alongside EQT, with TA Associates (“TA”) remaining as minority shareholder. New minority shareholders also include a wholly-owned subsidiary of theAbu Dhabi Investment Authority (“ADIA”) and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”). Hg and the new investors are acquiring shares in IFS from EQT, which is selling through its EQT VIII and EQT IX funds, as well as from TA and other minority investors.
The transaction follows many successful years of growth for IFS, delivering more than EUR 1 billion in ARR (“annual recurring revenue”) last year. Total revenue for 2024 was over EUR 1.2 billion, with some of the world’s largest industrial companies choosing IFS over legacy vendors. Demand for IFS’s industrial AI capabilities has increased significantly over the past 12 months as organisations across IFS’s focus industries of Aerospace & Defence, Engineering & Construction, Energy & Utilities, Manufacturing, Telco and Service, continue to realise the rapid and transformative value that IFS.ai delivers. IFS will continue to expand its capabilities with the industrial application of generative and agentic AI, so that customers can automate workflows, improve efficiency and deliver amazing moments of service to their own customers.
Over the past year, IFS added 350 new customers including Exelon who adopted IFS to streamline asset maintenance across its energy grid, Rolls-Royce who is using IFS to transform service delivery of its Power Systems business, and Total Energies who is deploying IFS as the single platform for management and servicing of its global operated asset portfolio. Moreover, an increasing number of large businesses are moving to IFS which is reflected in the average deal size of IFS’s largest customers increasing by 64% year-on-year.
Mark Moffat, CEO of IFS, said: “IFS’s success and sustained growth is centred around a commitment and track record of rapidly delivering business value to our customers. We have a differentiated proposition that continues to drive momentum in the industrial setting, specifically with the agentic and generative capabilities of IFS.ai, which enables us to be the technology of choice for the businesses that service, power and protect our planet.” Moffat continued: “The investment and continued commitment from Hg, EQT and TA will help IFS further accelerate our journey to be the undisputed category leader of Industrial Software.”
Johannes Reichel, Partner and Co-Head of Technology in the EQT Private Equity advisory team, added: “EQT’s relationship with IFS started in 2015 and it has been remarkable to see the company’s growth since then. Starting as a software vendor focused on Northern Europe, IFS has become a global provider of enterprise solutions while embracing the power of AI for the benefit of its industrial clients. It’s a prime example of EQT’s ability to “run with the winners”, where we partner with management teams over the long-term to scale regional players into global champions. We are excited to work alongside Hg to continue supporting IFS through this next phase.”
Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Head of the Saturn funds at Hg, commented: “With 20 years’ experience investing in software, we recognise exceptional businesses when we see them. Our increased investment in IFS reflects our conviction in their long-term vision and strong execution, which enables their customers’ digital transformation.” Jonathan Wulkan, Partner at Hg, added: “Since our initial partnership in 2022 alongside EQT, Mark and the team have not only delivered impressive and consistent growth but have emerged as a global leader in Industrial AI – translating the promise of AI into practical solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability for essential industries, with significant potential for continued growth.”
Naveen Wadhera, Managing Director at TA, commented: “IFS’s exceptional leadership, strong execution, and transformative AI capabilities are redefining what’s possible in enterprise software. We remain confident in the company’s vision and are excited to be part of its continued journey.”
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to complete end of Q2 2025. IFS and selling shareholders were advised by Arma Partners and White & Case, EQT was also advised by Evercore, and Hg was advised by Morgan Stanley & Co. plc and Skadden.
Discussion about this post