Buy-Out for Fast-Growing FocusVision

The management of research tech solutions firm FocusVision is buying out the company with the assistance of private equity group EQT - terms were not disclosed.

FocusVision was founded in 1990 as a provider of highly secure live video transmissions of qualitative research, but its most recent owners SV Investment Partners - who bought the company in 2007 - have massively expanded its coverage, acquiring five businesses to build an end-to-end MR technology service provider. Just two weeks ago, FocusVision bought Qualvu and its qual intelligence platform 24Tru, and it had previously acquired Research Reporter developer Insight Marketing Systems, quant MR tech firm Decipher, research tool developer Revelation Global and MR video streaming firm ActiveGroup.

EQT Mid Market Investment Strategy - whose parent has around EUR 29bn in raised capital and portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US - says it will support FocusVision's continued growth in the US and worldwide, investing in salesforce, innovation, platform integration and further acquisition. According to EQT Partner Matthew Levine, FocusVision is 'growing, innovating and on the leading edge' of an industry which is 'enjoying strong underlying growth dynamics'.

Eric Grosgogeat (pictured), President and CEO of FocusVision, says of the latest development: 'We're looking forward to continuing to pursue our mission of providing an end-to-end, one-stop market research technology solution for our clients around the world. EQT is the perfect partner for us, as they will be working with our management team to strengthen our investment in both research and development and our global sales force. This is an exciting time for FocusVision, our employees and our clients...'

The company is headquartered in Connecticut, with additional offices in California, the UK, Bulgaria, Brazil, Australia and Singapore, and has more than 300 employees.

Web sites: www.eqt.se and www.focusvision.com .