BrazilBahrain's Investcorp acquires US-based KSM Consulting
Investcorp, a global asset management company headquartered in Bahrain, has acquired a majority stake in KSM Consulting – a tech and data focused consulting firm based in Indianapolis, United States.
The transaction – of undisclosed value – sees current owner Renovus Capital Partners retain a minority stake in KSMC, a 250-strong management consultancy specialised in powering data-driven business growth and transformation.
The firm’s flagship offerings include design thinking – a customer-centric approach to innovation that entails rapid prototyping of creative new products and services – as well as the use of data insights and tech integration to turbo charge merger & acquisition (M&A) deals.
According to Investcorp’s private wealth head for UAE and Oman Tarek AlMahjoub, current market factors make this a premium proposition. “The past year highlighted the importance of embracing technology for all organisations, regardless of size, sector or industry.”
The significance of KSMC’s offering is evident from its meteoric growth story. The firm has amassed more than 700 private and public sector clients since launching in 2008, clocking a 40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last three years alone.
In June 2019, the firm acquired data-specialised consulting firm Connect Think, followed by the pick-up of digital transformation consultancy Advocate Solutions a year later. Investcorp’s acquisition of KSMC coincides with the latter’s acquisition of Colorado-based Google Cloud consulting partner Tempus Nova.
Fueling growth
The acquisitions signal growth in geographical reach as well as in the scope of services. Investcorp’s plan is to continue expansion on both fronts, as it scouts seamless inorganic growth opportunities. And there is no shortage of capital to fuel this expansion.
With a host of global backers led by Mubadala Investment Company, Investcorp boasts assets under management of more than $32 billion worldwide. The Bahrain-based group is active in 12 countries across the Americas, Europe, GCC and Asia, with an investment strategy spanning private equity, real state, hedge funds and lending, among others.
“Investcorp’s resources and expertise will enable us to continue expanding the reach of our difference-making work and will position us for accelerated growth as we continue to prioritise providing service excellence and driving positive outcomes to our clients,” said KSMC CEO Mark Caswell.
For AlMahjoub, its not just KSMC’s relevance and stellar growth story that make it appeaingl. “KSMC’s people, values and culture set the firm apart in a highly fragmented market, and we are excited to be partnering with them.”
