Sale delivers a return of up to 1.7x return for Maven client funds

Manchester, 13 June 2024: Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”), one of the UK’s most active investors in growing businesses, has completed an exit from GradTouch Ltd (now known as Unseen Group) to London private equity firm, Pelican Capital.

The sale of the Manchester-based technology platform for graduate employers has generated a return of up to 1.7x for Maven client funds. Maven first invested in the business in December 2017 through NPIF Maven Equity Finance, with the Maven VCTs providing its support in 2019 following the achievement of key commercial milestones.

Over the term of the investment GradTouch evolved from an emerging graduate recruitment website to a leading provider of training enabling services, both in-person and online, including assessment centres for professional recruiters. GradTouch has also continued to offer traditional graduate recruitment services while expanding its client offering. The successful integration of several bolt-on acquisitions as well as further funding rounds of investment through the Maven managed funds have helped GradTouch deliver year-on-year growth in revenues and earnings.

The sale to Pelican Capital will enable the business the continue its impressive growth to date, supporting an ambitious buy and build strategy to further expand its brand portfolio of innovative businesses focused on transforming the early career development space.

Karen de Meza, Portfolio Director at Maven, said; “GradTouch has built a strong operating culture and has executed a number of strategic acquisitions that have delivered significant growth. We are pleased to have supported the business from its early start-up days to the thriving, profitable enterprise it is today. The team at GradTouch has increased its footprint in the early career development space, and this exit reflects their hard work and vision. We are confident that the company will continue to expand its innovative brand portfolio and reach new heights in this dynamic industry.”

Zac Williams, CEO at GradTouch, added: “The backing we have received from Maven over the past seven years has been instrumental in the expansion of GradTouch. Their strategic guidance and financial support have proved valuable in fuelling our growth and we are now in a strong position to embark on a new chapter with Pelican Capital and to continue to develop our range of services and geographic reach. Maven delivered on what was agreed pre-deal and having a supportive funding partner has enabled our business to strengthen its proposition.”

Principals and key advisors to the transaction:

Legal: Blears

Financial: Moore & Smalley

VCT Opinions: Blears

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About Maven Capital Partners UK LLP www.mavencp.com

Maven is one of the UK’s leading private equity firms, specialising in investments in high growth British companies. With a focus on innovation and value creation, Maven partners with visionary entrepreneurs to build market leading businesses, supporting a range of transaction types, including management buyouts, growth capital, buy and build projects, equity value release and pre-IPO financing.