Equita completes the acquisition of K Finance and consolidates its role among top 10 M&A advisors in Italy

Equita, the leading independent investment bank in Italy, today completed the acquisition of a majority stake in K Finance S.r.l. (“K Finance”), primary Italian independent corporate finance boutique specialised in M&A Advisory. With this acquisition, Equita consolidates its role as independent advisor in M&A transactions and positions among the top 10 M&A advisors in Italy by number of deals.

Following the agreement signed on July 9, 2020, today Equita acquired by founding partners – Giuseppe Renato Grasso and Filippo Guicciardi – 70% stake of K Holding S.r.l. (“K Holding”), sole shareholder of K Finance.

The price paid to acquire K Finance was Euro 7.0 million, of which Euro 6.5 million paid at closing – with a mix of cash and treasury shares of Equita Group S.p.A. – and Euro 0.5 million as earn-out subject to the achievement of specific Net Profit’s targets for 2020 or 2021 fiscal year. The remaining 30% minority will be subject to put & call options which could be potentially exercised starting four years after closing and paid 1/3 in cash and 2/3 with Equita Group S.p.A. treasury shares.

Giuseppe Renato Grasso and Filippo Guicciardi were appointed Co-CEOs of K Finance and adhered to the First Shareholders’ Agreement-Bis, joining officially the Equita partnership.