Investcorp acquires Italy’s Vivaticket

Bahrain-based Investcorp, an alternative investment specialist, has acquired Italian ticketing software provider Ticket Holding, known as Vivaticket.

Investcorp, which acquired a minority stake in United Talent Agency last year, is buying Vivaticket from co-founders Luca Montebugnoli and Luana Sabattini, as well as board members Giuseppe Camillo Pilenga and Stefano Landi.

Financial details for the transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the year, have not been disclosed.

Both co-founders and the Vivaticket management team will remain involved in the company, holding “a meaningful stake”.

The Bologna-headquartered company works with more than 2,100 clients across 50 countries, including Disney World and FC Barcelona, and has provided ticketing services for live events including Vasco Rossi’s record-breaking show in Modena Park (225,000 tickets sold) and tour dates by ACDC, Queen, Bruce Springsteen and Renato Zero.

“Vivaticket is a formidable customer-oriented software solutions provider with an impressive and entrepreneurial management team,” says Daniel Lopez-Cruz, head of Investcorp’s European private equity group.

“Investcorp […] will be able to further accelerate the growth of Vivaticket with the aim of competing amongst the top three players globally”

“As global demand for entertainment and experiential content continues to increase, Vivaticket is ideally positioned to capitalise on multiple growth opportunities that directly align with Investcorp’s investment expertise.”

Lopez-Cruz states the partnership will support Vivaticket’s “international growth” alluding to “add-on acquisitions” that will “expand the company’s geographic footprint and further strengthen its presence in existing markets.”

“Investcorp is a distinguished and highly professional partner that, together with the existing management team, will be able to further accelerate the growth of Vivaticket with the aim of competing amongst the top three players globally,” comments Vivaticket co-founder Montebugnoli.

The Vivaticket executive stresses that the company’s “ethical and professional principles”, “technological innovation” and the “ability to attract talent” will remain at the core of the business.

Vivaticket, formerly Best Union, is one of three leading primary ticketing companies in Italy, along with CTS Eventim’s TicketOne and Live Nation’s Ticketmaster Italy. The company absorbed rival BookingShow in 2018.

With established operations in ten countries across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia Pacific, the company has offices in Italy, Spain, Australia, UAE, UK, France, the Unites States and Singapore.

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