Bilendi to Acquire Sample and Panel Provider respondi

Paris-based MR and research tech firm Bilendi is to acquire German sample and panel provider respondi Group for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 2005 in Cologne, Germany by Otto Hellwig, respondi provides participants for qual and quant online and mobile surveys via its own access panels in Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, totalling around 450,000 active panellists. The firm has a team of 80 based in Germany, France and the UK. Hellwig says the merger will allow respondi to join one of the 'leading players' in research technology and data in Europe.

According to Bilendi, the deal will strengthen its panels, provide an expanded qual research offering, and bolster its headcount to more than 350 employees. It will also allow it to reach annual revenues of EUR 50m two years ahead of schedule in 2023. The move follows Bilendi's March acquisition of HumanizeeSAS, the company that owned the Discussnow platform.

Bilendi Chairman and CEO Marc Bidou comments: 'respondi's well-renowned expertise in the research market, respect and reputation of its team and technologies are all tremendous assets that will enable us to pursue our strategy of growth and capture of new markets. The two groups have similar cultures and share the same values: constantly striving for the highest quality of service for our clients whilst maintaining the integrity of and respect for our panel members'.

The acquisition is set to take place in the coming weeks after certain closing conditions have been met.

Web sites: www.bilendi.com and www.respondi.com .