KKR to Acquire German IT Firm Datagroup in €450M Deal - InforCapital

Global private equity giant KKR is set to acquire Datagroup SE, a leading German IT services provider, in a €450 million all-cash transaction. The deal values Datagroup at €54 per share, a 33% premium over its last trading price, signaling strong investor confidence in the future of IT service firms across Europe.

This acquisition follows a growing trend of private equity investments in European technology and digital infrastructure, particularly in markets dominated by mid-sized enterprises, known in Germany as the Mittelstand. KKR’s move comes on the heels of other major transactions, including Silver Lake's stake in Software AG and Carlyle's investment in GBTEC, showcasing a strategic pivot toward digitizing Europe's industrial backbone.

Datagroup, based in Pliezhausen, Germany, employs around 3,700 professionals and is projected to generate €545–€565 million in revenue this fiscal year. The company provides managed IT services and cloud solutions to clients across industries, making it a cornerstone in the country’s digital transformation efforts.

Under the acquisition agreement, Datagroup’s founder and chairman, Max H.-H. Schaber, will transfer his 54.4% ownership to a newly created holding entity jointly controlled by KKR and his family’s investment firm. This structure allows for continuity of leadership while enabling KKR to steer future strategic direction.

This move further emphasizes KKR’s commitment to digital infrastructure, complementing its recent European investments in telecom networks, data centers, and cybersecurity firms. According to KKR executives, the Datagroup deal aligns with their belief that cloud services, cybersecurity, and IT outsourcing will be critical pillars of Europe's economic modernization in the coming decade.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Following the closure, Datagroup will delist from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, marking its transition to a privately held enterprise focused on long-term growth.

With this acquisition, KKR not only deepens its footprint in Germany but also underscores a broader shift in private capital toward Europe’s digital economy, targeting firms with strong local roots and scalable tech capabilities. The Datagroup deal reflects how private equity firms are driving the next wave of digital transformation across the continent.