Matrix Reloads as Mobeus

LONDON, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Matrix Private Equity Partners has completed its MBO from Matrix Group and is re-launching as a fully independent private equity firm named Mobeus Equity Partners ("Mobeus").

The spin out, first announced in January, sees the firm's partners buying out the 50% shareholding of its parent and relocating its team of 20 staff and associates to new offices at 30 Haymarket in London's West End. The new website is http://www.mobeusequity.co.uk.

"Our new name and logo are based on the Möbius strip; a clever mathematical shape that represents continuity. We wanted a name that reflects the longstanding stability of our team and our evergreen investment funds," said Mobeus Managing Partner, Mark Wignall.

Mobeus has £150 million Venture Capital Trust ("VCT") funds under management and will continue with the strategy of investing on average £5 million into MBOs of UK- based companies making between £1million and £3 million of profits.

The firm has had a busy 12 months investing £16 million into three companies : Motorclean, EMaC and Equip Outdoor Technologies. It expects to announce its first new investment under the Mobeus brand later this month.

Mobeus has also had a very strong year for exits, clocking up five sales : Original Additions, AppDNA, DiGiCo, Camwood and Iglu.com, generating £53 million proceeds from just £11 million of cost.

Mobeus has also just closed its annual VCT fundraising at £15 million.  As part of this transaction, the family of Matrix Income & Growth VCTs will be renamed Mobeus Income & Growth VCTs.

Issued by Mobeus Equity Partners LLP, of 30 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4EX, registered in England & Wales number OC 320577, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, number 456538. This material is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell an investment nor does it solicit any such invitation. The information contained in this email is believed to be accurate at the date of publication but no representation or warranty stated or implied is made or given by any person as to its accuracy or completeness and no responsibility or liability is accepted for any such information or opinion.

Mobeus Equity Partners LLP ['Mobeus']

Mobeus is a leading UK VCT Manager with a focus on MBO transactions. Mobeus advises four Income & Growth VCTs with £150 million Funds under Management. Mobeus is owned by its executive management following the team's MBO of Matrix Private Equity Partners in June 2012. Its recent transactions are:-

                             Investment
         Deal                  (GBPm)                    Business/Location
 
    Motorclean                   6.0   Vehicle cleaning and valet services      Basildon

    EMaC                         6.0   Service plans for the motor trade        Crewe

    Equip Outdoor Technologies   4.5   Branded outdoor equipment and clothing   Alfreton

                        Cost  Proceeds
        Exit           (GBPm)  (GBPm)                 Business/Buyer

    Original Additions   1.0     4.2  Manufacturer of beauty products      LDC
 
    AppDNA               0.5    16.0  Application management software      Citrix
 
    DiGiCo               4.6    20.5  Manufacturer of digital sound 
                                      mixing consoles                      Isis
 
    Camwood              0.5     2.0  IT services                          Management
                                                             
    Iglu.com             4.3    11.1  Online ski and cruise travel agent   Growth Capital 
                                                                           Partners

For more information, visit http://www.mobeusequity.co.uk