Key Takeaways
- Sector: Aerospace & Defense.
- Geography: Belgium.
Analysis
Tikehau Capital has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire ScioTeq, a Belgian designer of rugged visualization and computing systems for the aviation, air-traffic-control and defence markets.
Founded more than 40 years ago, ScioTeq employs roughly 450 people across Belgium, the United States and other locations worldwide. The company supplies high-performance cockpit displays, ATC consoles and mission-critical computing units used on over 150 aircraft platforms and in more than 30,000 military vehicles.
Current owner OpenGate Capital carved ScioTeq (and simulator brand TREALITY) out of TransDigm in 2021 and has since overseen organic growth plus the 2023 add-on acquisition of French rugged-electronics maker IRTS. OpenGate will retain a minority stake alongside Tikehau.
The deal will be executed through Tikehau Capital’s 2025-launched Aerospace & Defence fund, which targets European champions in defence technology, cyber-security and critical infrastructure. Closing is expected in Q4 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Advisers: Lazard and McDermott Will & Emery for OpenGate; Willkie Farr & Gallagher for Tikehau.
“ScioTeq’s proven heritage in mission-critical displays perfectly fits our strategy of backing European industrial tech leaders,” said Thomas Friedberger, co-CIO of Tikehau Capital.
“With Tikehau’s support, we can accelerate international expansion while continuing to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to our aerospace and defence customers,” added ScioTeq CEO Marc Vrecko