Oakley Capital Investments Limited has announced its plan to acquire a co-controlling stake in I-TRACING, a leading independent provider of cybersecurity services in France. The investment, expected to be around £39 million, will be made through Oakley Capital Fund V. I-TRACING, founded in 2005, offers a range of cybersecurity services, including CyberDefence, Managed Detection & Response services, Identity & Access Management, Cloud Security, and Data protection and Audit. The company has experienced significant growth, doubling in size over the last three years, and has expanded globally, employing around 700 cybersecurity experts across multiple countries.
The investment aligns with Oakley's strategy of supporting successful businesses and exceptional founders. Oakley will collaborate with I-TRACING's founders and management, along with existing investor Eurazeo and Sagard NewGen, to drive the company's growth and establish it as a European leader in cybersecurity services. The partnership aims to expand I-TRACING's client base, pursue further M&A opportunities, and attract top talent, with plans to hire 250 new employees in 2024.
Peter Dubens, Founder and Managing Partner of Oakley Capital, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, citing the long-term growth potential in the cybersecurity market. Théodore Vrangos, Co-Founder and President of I-TRACING, highlighted the opportunity for organic and external growth, emphasizing the investors' ability to accelerate the company's international expansion while maintaining its values and commitment to clients.
This investment marks Oakley's third in France and its fifth deal in five months, reflecting a period of significant activity for the firm. Oakley Capital Investments Limited, a Specialist Fund Segment traded investment vehicle, aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth by offering liquid access to private equity returns through investment in the Oakley Funds.