Linx Receives Investment from General Atlantic

SAO PAULO, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Linx, the leading provider of software, services and eCommerce solutions for retail businesses in Brazil, announced today a partnership with the leading global growth equity investment firm, General Atlantic ("GA"). The investment from GA will further accelerate Linx's growth and geographic expansion. In addition, the GA investment will expand Linx's research and development capabilities by providing financial and strategic resources.  

"We engaged with GA when we decided to seek additional capital to finance our organic and inorganic growth strategy. We saw that GA would be an excellent financial partner given their ability to offer strategic support and resources, their long-term partnership approach and our shared vision for Linx to be the leading provider of innovative solutions and services to the fast growing retail sector in Brazil and Latin America," explained Alberto Menache, CEO of Linx.

"In addition to enhancing our ability to invest in research and development, GA will be a strategic partner and help us to identify new technologies on a global basis," said Nercio Fernandes, Linx's founder and Vice President of Research & Development.

Continued growth is a clear goal for the company: in three years, Linx has made seven acquisitions. In 2008, Linx started its strategy of consolidating the retail software market by acquiring Quadrant.  Following an investment from BNDESPar, the investment arm of BNDES, Linx acquired CSI, a POS software provider for retailers; Inter Commerce, a software company for home improvement and white goods retailers; and Formata, a software company dedicated to small businesses. In December 2010, Linx also announced the acquisitions of Dia System and CNP Engenharia de Sistemas, both companies with a strong presence in the dealer management system (DMS) vertical. This year, Linx acquired the software house CustomBS, a regional leader of integrated solutions for retailers in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.  BNDESPar participated in the capital raise to maintain its ownership stake in the Company, reinforcing its commitment to the Company.

According to Brett Rochkind, Managing Director and Co-head of GA's global Internet & Technology sector, "Linx represents an attractive investment given the Company's market leadership, subscription-based business model and high caliber management team. We look forward to partnering with Alberto Menache and the Linx management team to pursue the significant growth opportunities ahead as the Company expands its eCommerce solutions and further executes upon its acquisition strategy," said Mr. Rochkind.

A global growth investor founded in 1980, GA has invested nearly US$1 billion in Latin America over the past four years with current investments including MercadoLibre, BM&F Bovespa and PeixeUrbano. GA has a 30 year history of investing in leading software, services and eCommerce companies globally including ServiceSource, IHS, Alibaba Group, Kaspersky Lab, Gilt Groupe, SSA Global, Priceline.com, Genpact, RiskMetrics, Zantaz, Altair Engineering, Torex Retail, Privalia, LHS, Baan, Manugistics and Compuware, among others. GA invests approximately $2 billion annually across six sectors globally, investing between $25 million and $500 million as minority or majority investors in private and public growth companies.  

With more than 5,000 clients and approximately 52,000 POS installations in Brazil, Latin America and Europe, Linx generated revenues of R$144 million in 2010.

The Company's financial advisor was BTG Pactual, and its legal counsel was Machado Meyer. Pinheiro Neto provided legal counsel to General Atlantic.

About Linx

With more than 25 years of history, Linx is the leading provider of software and services to retailers in Brazil.  Linx offers a complete solution to almost all retail verticals, including apparel, footwear, supermarkets, home centers, drug stores, electronics and appliances, accessories, jewelry, gifts, auto dealers, food service, entertainment and eCommerce. The Company currently has over 1,200 employees in its headquarters and branch offices, in addition to client relationship units and partners throughout Brazil and abroad. To fully meet the needs of the retail market, the Company operates through the following four business units: Linx Systems, Linx Telecom, Linx Logistics and Linx Loss Prevention. For further information see www.linx.com.br.

About General Atlantic

General Atlantic is a leading global growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for growth companies. GA combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, long-term investment horizon and deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great management teams and build exceptional businesses worldwide. Established in 1980, GA manages approximately $17 billion in capital and has more than 75 investment professionals based in Greenwich, New York, Palo Alto, London, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, Beijing, Mumbai and Sao Paulo. For further information and a listing of GA's public and private portfolio companies see www.generalatlantic.com.  

For Grupo Linx
Communica Brasil
PABX: +55 (11) 3868-0300
Andrea Funk – [email protected]
Patricia Gattone – [email protected]
Luiz de Queiroz – [email protected]
www.communicabrasil.com.br

For General Atlantic
Pat Hedley
[email protected]
+1 203-629-8658

Gaspar & Associados Comunicacao Empresarial (on behalf of GA)
Heloisa Picos
[email protected]
+55 (11) 3037-3226

SOURCE General Atlantic