M&A Awards Belgium 2021: Discover the Five Outstanding Winners

The period under review was for deals announced between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 - a full twelve months of activity. The panel of judges reviewed 59 extensive pitches and nominated fifteen finalists in five categories (view all the nominees here). The panel of judges consisted of Urbain Vandeurzen (Chairman panel of judges, Co-Founder and Chairman Smile Invest NV, former Chairman and CEO LMS International and Honorary Chairman VOKA), Michael Sephiha (Journalist Mediafin/De Tijd), Philippe Haspeslagh (Chairman of Capricorn Partners and Family Business Network Belgium, Honorary Dean Vlerick Business School and Honorary Chairman Ardo), Pierre Demaerel (Secretary General of the BVA and Chairman of the Belgian Growth Fund), Renaat Berckmoes (Co-Founder and Partner Fortino Capital) and Sophie Manigart (Professor and Faculty Dean Vlerick Business School). Read all biographies here.  

The preliminary research and selection process was supported by our knowledge partner Vlerick Business School. The judges determined the five Award winners by scoring each deal on the key aspects rationality, entrepreneurship, complexity, vision, timing, process and the impact on the company itself, the stakeholders and society. 

D’Ieteren Group acquired a 40% stake in TVH Parts from the Vanhalst family and agreed on a partnership with the Thermote family to further support the development of the company in the long run. This deal charmed the panel of judges because it’s a nice agreement between family businesses. TVH Parts is a new pillar for D’Ieteren Group, with a long-term development plan and an excellent cultural fit. The deal also allows the two shareholder families of TVH to each realize their long-term ambition going forward.  

Destiny Group acquired three Scandinavian players in a very short period of time. With this complex series of transactions, the B2B cloud communication solutions provider gains access to the Scandinavian market and accelerates its international development in a fast-growing market. Backed by Apax Partners, Destiny Group has been growing rapidly. These three strategic acquisitions instantly launch Destiny to the top position in the European UCaaS market, thereby doubling in revenue. 

Desotec is a leading environmental services company with a mission to protect the planet and make the world a better place. The company evolved to a European market leader in its field, with an impressive track record of double-digit growth, accelerated under EQT’s ownership. For the further long-term development, the shareholders found the ideal partner in a Blackstone-led ownership. With this support, Desotec can pursue its ambitious growth plans. 

Food tech start-up Deliverect secured new capital in a Series C funding round and managed to attract international investors. The company, founded by two serial entrepreneurs who built on their acquired knowhow, aims to simplify online food delivery management with its software. The application is already used in more than 40 countries and was of great value for restaurants during the COVID-19 period. The company is a great asset for the Belgian economy and creates a lot of jobs. This capital round greatly contributes to the total raised capital. The jury thinks Deliverect might be the next Belgian unicorn. 

The panel of judges elected AgomAb Therapeutics, that raised € 62 million with its early stage research into the regeneration of organs. This is an exceptional amount for a company in this phase. AgomAb develops therapeutics that can stimulate the body’s regenerative pathways leading to the repair and restoration of organ function. The company is still very young and has not yet tested any drug on humans. However, it managed to convince 2 big American investors to join the 6 existing European shareholders.