Bright Capital supports the buy-and-build strategy of OUNDA GmbH

Bright Capital  provides a unitranche for OUNDA GmbH in support of the establishment of a premium optician group (eyewear & eye lenses) complemented by acoustic services under the brand “klein aber fein”. Münster based OUNDA GmbH is the product of a buy-and-build effort by owner Beyond Capital Partners targeting a broad roll-up of individual premium opticians in the fragmented optical retail market. The nucleus is comprised of 20 opticians operating across 23 locations in Germany – with the aim to grow the group to up to 80 opticians and €40 – 50m in revenues over the next two years. The acquisitive growth strategy is backed by Bright Capital’s bespoke financing package also including a basket for future bolt-ons as well as Dieter Meis, a dedicated M&A manager, having executed >200 transactions for Germany’s largest optician retailer as part of its growth strategy.

Felix Förster, Investment Manager at Bright Capital: “This transaction is an excellent example of how we provide bespoke financing solutions to help private equity sponsors executing a buy-and-build strategy acting as a long-term financing partner. The new flexible debt package will support OUNDA GmbH as it embarks on a journey to become a leading premium retail optician chain in an attractive, growing and fragmented market.”

Christoph Kauter, Managing Partner at Beyond Capital Partners: “Bright Capital proved to be an agile and customer-focussed credit partner, providing a significant bespoke commitment to our fast-growing portfolio company OUNDA GmbH amid a complex economic context arising from the Covid-19 crisis. We value their commercial, long-term approach to financing, fostering our ongoing buy-and-build strategy.”

Dieter Meis, CEO of OUNDA GmbH: “OUNDA is proving to be an attractive and fast-growing optician and acoustics platform in the German premium segment. Given the nature of buy-and-build, speed and certainty of execution are key for the success of our strategy. Bright Capital’s understanding of our strategy has been outstanding and having to deal with a like-minded partner for financing proves valuable.”