Bryan, Garnier & Co acts as Sole Financial Advisor to SmartMeUp on its sale to Magneti Marelli
Context
SmartMeUp is based in Grenoble, France and develops artificial-intelligence-based computer vision software aimed at autonomous driving, smart cities and safety technology applications.
The Company has developed a unique and patented perception software technology working on any lightweight processor allowing for large scale embedded applications.
SmartMeUp relies on an experienced team of artificial intelligence, machine learning and embedded systems scientists all with top academic backgrounds.
The acquisition of SmartMeUp by Magneti Marelli, a FCA Company (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), supports their strong focus on autonomous driving technologies, notably after their first investment in the LiDAR expert LeddarTech.
The Company was backed by leading Technology angels in Europe, including Xavier Niel and Jacques-Antoine Granjon.
Transaction highlights
Bryan, Garnier & Co acted as Sole Financial Advisor to the shareholders of SmartMeUp in their search for a strategic partner.
We organized and led a competitive process involving large international potential acquirers with a strong focus on the automotive sector where computer vision is critical for autonomous driving.
This transaction marks another landmark in Bryan, Garnier & Co’s Technology practice and strengthens our expertise in artificial intelligence, notably after the sale of the Xerox European Artificial Intelligence Research Lab to Naver in October 2017.
About SmartMeUp
SmartMeUp is a French Artificial Intelligence company founded in 2014 by Loïc Lecerf, a world-renowned computer vision researcher with tier-1 academic background (PhD in AI, 6 patents, private AI lab experience) coupled with successful entrepreneurship experiences. SmartMeUp is strategically located in Grenoble (France), a highly attractive Tech-Hub considered as the 5th most innovative city in the world with 7.5 patents filed per 10 000 inhabitants.The company’s team of AI and embedded systems experts designed a breakthrough software technology providing any camera with high-accuracy computer vision capabilities while working on any lightweight processor. Prior to the transaction, SmartMeUp’ technology was already in advanced field trials with blue-chips customers from Automotive to Smart Cities.
About Magneti Marelli
Magneti Marelli designs and produces advanced systems and components for the automotive industry. With 85 production units, 15 R&D centres in 20 countries, approximately 43,000 employees and a turnover of 7.9 billion Euro in 2016, the group supplies all the major carmakers in Europe, North and South America and the Asia Pacific region. The business areas include Electronic Systems, Lighting, Powertrain, Suspension and Shock Absorbing Systems, Exhaust Systems, Aftermarket Parts & Services, Plastic Components and Modules, Motorsport. Magneti Marelli is part of FCA.
About Bryan, Garnier & Co
Bryan, Garnier & Co is a European, full service growth-focused independent investment banking partnership founded in 1996. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading, private and public capital raising as well as M&A services to growth companies and their investors. It focuses on key growth sectors of the economy including Technology, Healthcare, Consumer and Business Services. Bryan, Garnier & Co is a fully registered broker dealer authorized and regulated by the FCA in Europe and the FINRA in the U.S. Bryan, Garnier & Co is headquartered in London, with additional offices in Paris, Munich, Zurich and New York. The firm is a member of the London Stock Exchange and Euronext.
Deal team
Olivier Beaudouin
Partner
TMT Invesment Banking
T:+33 1 56 68 75 35
Jonathan Bohbot
Vice President
TMT Investment Banking
T: +33 1 56 68 75 59
Guillaume Lallouet
Analyst
TMT Investment Banking
T: +33 1 70 36 57 23
Daniel Seroux
Analyst
TMT Investment Banking
T: +33 1 56 68 75 90
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