Funds advised by Gilde Buy Out Partners (“Gilde”) today announced the acquisition of Caseking Group (“Caseking” or the “Company”), together with the founders and management from funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe. Pava Partners acted both as M&A and Debt Advisor for Gilde in this transaction. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Caseking, a leading supplier of high-performance PC-gaming equipment and peripherals, maintains a track record of strong organic growth, excellent market understanding and successful product placement supporting the future growth of the Company. Caseking has displayed consistent growth, both organically as well as through add-on acquisitions, becoming a leading platform for PC-gaming equipment in Europe. Operations are based in Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Portugal and Taiwan. The Company processes 540.000 orders and sells approximately 4 million products worldwide per year. Products sold include own brands, brands exclusively available at Caseking and third-party brands.

About Gilde

Gilde Buy Out Partners is a leading European private equity investor with offices in Zurich, Frankfurt, Utrecht and Brussels. With EUR 1.1 billion, Gilde Buy-Out Fund V, the most recent fund, is among the largest dedicated mid-market buy-out investment funds in Europe. Gilde controls majority shareholdings in Elcee Group, Veco Precision, Esdec, ZND, Albelli, Oystershell Laboratories, Losberger De Boer, Amor, T-groep, Royal Reesink, Comcave, Riri, TMC, Royal Ten Cate, Enkco, Eismann, Teleplan and Powerlines.

About Caseking

Caseking is a leading European distributor of exclusive top brands and a renowned online-retailer for unique and extravagant computer hardware and accessories, founded in 2003 and continuously growing. Headquartered in Berlin, Caseking’s base of operation is a vast modern logistics center of 10.000m² storage area in the Charlottenburg district. Caseking operates subsidiaries in Great Britain, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden and Finland and employs approximately 400 FTEs.

About Equistone

Equistone Partners Europe is one of the leading European equity investors with a team of more than 35 investment specialists in six offices in Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK. Equistone invests primarily in established medium-sized companies with good market positions, above-average growth potential and an enterprise value between EUR 50 and 500 million. Since its foundation, equity capital has been invested in more than 140 transactions, mainly medium-sized buy-outs.