Acquiring Polish Digital Retail Solutions Provider IAI Group Announced by Montagu
Montagu Acquires IAI Group, Poland's Leading Digital Retail Solutions Provider
Montagu, a leading private equity firm managing €14 billion, has agreed to acquire IAI Group, a trailblazer in digital retail solutions in Central and Eastern Europe. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, will transfer ownership from MCI Capital and IAI's founders.
Under MCI Capital's management since 2018, IAI achieved significant growth, becoming a market leader in Poland and Hungary. The company posted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% in net revenues from 2022 to 2024, a testament to its robust organic growth.
Strategic acquisitions of Shoprenter and AtomStore under MCI's management broadened IAI's product offerings and customer base. IAI's e-commerce platform, IdoSell, provides integrated digital retail solutions for mid-to-large merchants, combining marketing, logistics, and payment functions, which helped maintain high client retention rates.
Daniel Fischer, Partner at Montagu, expressed enthusiasm about IAI's mission-critical role in the fast-growing digital retail operations across Central and Eastern Europe. He looks forward to supporting IAI in further developing its capabilities, enabling the business to fully harness long-term market tailwinds and realize its full potential.
Tomasz Czechowicz, CEO and Managing Partner at MCI Capital, welcomed the partnership with Montagu as an exciting new chapter in IAI's growth story. He noted that MCI Capital's investment in 2018 catalyzed IAI’s expansion into new markets and product development, scaling operations and solidifying organizational strength alongside IAI’s founders.
Jan Stypulkowski, Partner at Montagu, highlighted their successful execution of the investment strategy in IAI, turning it into a leading SaaS provider for e-commerce in the Central and Eastern European region. He emphasized Montagu's intention to leverage IAI’s platform to expand its geographic reach and strengthen its market presence in Europe and beyond.
The deal price was approximately PLN 469.3 million (about EUR 110.3 million), reflecting substantial value creation under MCI’s ownership. The acquisition marks one of MCI’s largest exits and a key transaction in Central and Eastern Europe’s e-commerce software sector.
[1] Montagu Press Release, [Date], [Link] [2] MCI Capital Press Release, [Date], [Link] [3] IAI Group Press Release, [Date], [Link] [4] Montagu Website, [Link] [5] Montagu Investment Strategy, [Link]
- The acquisition of IAI Group, a trailblazer in digital retail solutions, by Montagu, a prominent private equity firm specializing in finance and business, will further expand their business in the technology sector, especially within digital retail operations, while simultaneously bolstering their presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
- As Montagu, a leading private equity firm managing €14 billion, plans to leverage IAI’s robust platform to expand its geographic reach and strengthen its market presence, it underscores their commitment to investing in disruptive technology-driven businesses, enabling accelerated growth and unlocking their full potential in the ever-evolving digital retail landscape.
