This transaction aims to accelerate Ynov’s development by broadening its training offering and continuing its expansion in France.

Founded in 2011, Ynov is one of the French leaders in digital careers training. It offers 5 main educational programs in the fields of science and technology, engineering, computer science, media, design and digital. Ynov is the 9th largest private operator of higher education in France. The group, which has gradually developed through successive acquisitions, today manages 8 campuses in France with more than 5,700 students and generates a turnover of 50 M€.

Ynov’s strength is based on quality training, notably through its flexible pedagogical approach based on mix-learning, combining lectures, group projects, distance learning and innovative teaching methods through games, simulations and pitch challenges. Ynov allows a large number of students to benefit from work-study formats from the last year of their Bachelor’s degree and throughout their Master’s degrees, thus optimizing the employability rate after graduation.

This minority investment in capital (around 40%) and mezzanine was carried out in association with Lionel Desage, the founder, and the management team. Thanks to CAPZA’s support, Ynov will implement an ambitious growth plan that involves opening new campuses in major cities in France, expanding its education offering and welcoming foreign students.

“We are delighted to participate in this new phase of Ynov’s development, led by a team that has proven itself and contributed to the Group’s current success. We are convinced that players like Ynov are key to provide talent to the French Tech ecosystem dear to CAPZA” said Bruno Bonnin, Flex Equity Partner at CAPZA.

“With CAPZA’s support, we will be able to implement an ambitious growth plan, to open new campuses and to expand our training offering” added Lionel Desage, founder of Ynov.

This is the second transaction of the CAPZA 5 Flex Equity fund. CAPZA has already raised €500 million and targets a size of approximately €600 million.

This is also the fourth private education transaction for CAPZA, whose teams have also completed more than 40 Tech related transactions.