Solware

Who owns Solware?

Solware is a TMT company based in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly owned by Initiative & Finance, exited in 2012 (exit via Secondary). No current private equity owner is on file.

About SOLWARE

Solware is a French vertical software publisher headquartered near Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, developing and integrating business management software for the automotive aftermarket and, historically, the medico-social sector. Its automotive line, built around the winmotor next dealer and workshop management system, serves authorized repair networks and independent garages and holds preferred referencing with manufacturers including Renault, Peugeot and Citroen. Through its Solware Life division and the Livia platform, the group long supplied resident and case-management software to care homes for the elderly and facilities for people with disabilities, at one point serving more than 2,000 medico-social establishments. At the time of its 2018 recapitalization the group generated revenue of more than EUR 20 million, and it today employs in the range of 51 to 200 people.

Ownership journey

Solware was founded in 1987 and grew into a family-controlled software business led by chief executive Gerald Ferraro. Initiative & Finance backed a management buyout in 2008 and exited in 2012 through a secondary transaction that brought in a minority financial shareholder. In December 2018 the management team consolidated full ownership of the share capital in a sponsorless deal financed by Andera Partners, whose ActoMezz strategy provided two mezzanine tranches totalling EUR 8.7 million from its third mezzanine fund, alongside senior debt. Andera Partners, through its Acto Mezzanine III vehicle, remains the company's financing partner.

Under PE ownership

The 2018 financing was structured to give management independent control of the business and to fund an ambitious growth plan, with revenue targeted to reach EUR 27 million within four years of the deal. Since the investment Solware has invested in its next-generation winmotor next automotive suite and pushed further into independent repair networks beyond its historic base in authorized manufacturer channels. In parallel it developed and scaled the Livia platform for the medico-social market before divesting the Solware Life division in 2023, refocusing the group around its automotive software franchise. Taken together, these moves narrowed the perimeter to the core dealer and workshop management software while releasing capital and management attention toward that segment.