Your.World Receives €800 Million Strategic Investment from Ares Management and Carlyle

Founded in 2016 by Strikwerda Investments, Your.World has emerged as a leading European provider of web hosting, online productivity, and managed IT services. Its growth has been driven by its serial acquirer model based on high quality, sustainable value creation and scalable M&A across verticals and geographies. Today, the Company employs over 2,000 people, operates 45 distinct brands, and serves more than one million customers through its Your.Online and Your.Cloud divisions.

By combining disciplined capital allocation, a decentralized operating model and a focus on mission-critical online solutions, Your.World has established itself as a key player in the European SME segment. Your.World’s serviceable addressable segment has expanded considerably in the last five years, accompanied by a corresponding increase in its M&A opportunities. The Company anticipates additional growth opportunities in the future.  

“As Your.World pursues its long-term ambitions, we are pleased to welcome the additional partnership capital and expertise from two leading global investors, Ares and Carlyle,”said Robin van Poelje, CEO of Your.World. “Their financial and strategic support reinforces our ability to drive accelerated growth while continuing to deliver high-quality solutions and services to our customers. We look forward to seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“We are excited to be investing in Your.World as it enters its next chapter of growth,” said James Kim, Partner and Head of European Opportunistic Credit at Ares. “The combination of Your.World’s demonstrated history of execution, sector leadership,strong management and robust M&A pipeline underscore our conviction in its ability to generate significant value over the long-term. We look forward to working with Robin, Strikwerda Investments, Carlyle, and the Your.World team as they continue to differentiate themselves in the online solutions sector.”

‍Taj Sidhu, Head of European and Asian Private Credit at Carlyle, said: “We are delighted to provide this strategic capital financing to Your.World. The business is a leader in a resilient and fragmented market, and we believe there is significant white space for the company to continue to pursue their successful M&A strategy as they further accelerate growth.”

J.P. Morgan acted as exclusive financial adviser and sole placement agent, and A&O Shearman acted as legal advisor, to Strikwerda Investments & Your.World with respect to the strategic investment from Ares and Carlyle.

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About Your.World

Your.World is the leading platform for building businesses online. Our c. 2,000 employees support over one million customers. We cherish our reputation in acquiring, developing, and empowering leading online solutions companies. We nurture local entrepreneurial pride and spirit by creating true partnerships and giving room for independent local entrepreneurship with strong local brands. For more information, please visit www.your.world

About Ares Management Corporation 

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of September 30, 2024, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had approximately $464 billion of assets under management, with more than 3,100 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across its business and conducts its operations through three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $447 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents.

Carlyle’s Global Credit platform manages $194 billion in assets under management, as of September 30, 2024. It regularly pursues investments in privately negotiated capital solutions partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com

About Strikwerda Investments

Strong companies are built together. This takes time. At Strikwerda Investments, a leading Dutch Tech-focused family office, we build durable partnerships with entrepreneurs and have invested in over 200 companies in the last 40 years. We have the strong will to bring out the best in these companies, all of which contribute to our goal of building enduring businesses together for future generations. For more information, please visit www.strikwerdainvestments.nl