The law firm FTPA advised NextStage, financial shareholder of WiiSmile since 2020, in the reinvestment of part of its proceeds from the sale, allowing it to remain in the capital as a minority shareholder.
On the occasion of the signing of an investment agreement by Eurazeo of more than €70 million in the capital of WiiSmile, NextStage AM continues its support, initiated in 2020 as a financial shareholder, to the structure through the investment program “Champions” dedicated to equity financing of innovative French SMEs, through Pépites & Territoires.
WiiSmile is the leader in outsourced employee representative committees for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers managers of small and medium-sized companies the opportunity to provide their employees with “all-in-one” solutions that promote employee commitment by improving their quality of life and that of their families.
NextStage AM’s entry into the company’s capital in 2020, with a 30% stake, has enabled WiiSmile to strengthen its existing offer in France and to structure itself in the outsourced services market for small and medium-sized businesses. The reinvestment of a portion of its proceeds from the sale allows NextStage AM to confirm its commitment as a preferred partner and the relationship of trust between the two companies.
The combination of Eurazeo’s and NextStage AM’s investment will support the acceleration of WiiSmile’s development with new customers among small and medium-sized companies and will encourage its capacity for long-term innovation.
FTPA advised NextStage with a team led by François-Xavier Beauvisage, assisted by Agathe Laporte and Sophie Jouniaux on tax matters.
Fiducial Legal By Lamy advised Wiismile and Les Entrepeneurs, with a team led by Eric Baroin, assisted by Julien Gruys, Hortense Michel and Elodie Patel.
Paul Hastings advised Eurazeo with a team led by Charles de Cardon, assisted by Jordan Jablonka and Amandine Guignard as well as Allard de Waal and Thomas Pulcini on tax matters.
About Nexstage:
NextStage is a platform specializing in long-term investment in medium-sized growth and innovative companies, created in March 2015 and listed on Euronext Paris (compartment B) since December 2016. It thus offers access to a class of unlisted and not very accessible assets, which are a source of growth, job creation and performance. Its investments are made in equity with little or no leverage, with no time limit, in order to provide equity financing for the growth of MSEs and their ability to innovate in their core business, alongside visionary entrepreneurs.
