October 19, 2021

EBERTLANG grows with 8Soft and expands into Switzerland

Wetzlar/Bad Homburg – October 19, 2021. EBERTLANG, software specialist distributor and portfolio company of HQ Equita, continues its growth course and acquires a majority stake in Würzburg-based IT specialist 8Soft. Like EBERTLANG, 8Soft is a value-added software distributor (VAD) with a focus on cybersecurity solutions. The acquisition includes 100% of the shares of the security specialist 8Soft, the complete portfolio as well as all long-term employees.

The acquisition creates one of the largest German specialist distributors for software with a focus on IT security, data protection and MSP. The channel partners will benefit from a broader portfolio without having to forego the usual high quality of advice, service and support. The acquisition of 8Soft is an important milestone in EBERTLANG’s buy-and-build strategy, which is supported by HQ Equita. A complete integration of 8Soft into EBERTLANG is planned for January 1, 2022.

With the acquisition of the Würzburg-based VAD 8Soft, EBERTLANG is already taking its second important expansion step in the DACH region within a short period of time. Only recently, the Wetzlar-based company announced its intensified partner support and the consistent expansion of its business in the DACH region with the establishment of its own office in Switzerland.

Philip Weber, CEO of EBERTLANG: “It is a special honor to be able to announce two milestones in our company history in such a short time. 8Soft combines an outstanding security portfolio with a core of highly specialized colleagues who will make their know-how available to the specialized trade as part of the EBERTLANG team in the future.”

“With the acquisition of 8Soft and the internationalization, EBERTLANG is consistently continuing its growth course,” said Florian Wiemken, Partner at HQ Equita. “The planned merger of EBERTLANG and 8Soft creates one of the most innovative value-added distributors with a focus on cybersecurity and data protection software solutions in the German-speaking region. We are pleased to support the group in its further expansion.”

EBERTLANG looks back on a successful year and intends to expand its market position in the DACH region in the coming year. 8Soft is the 3rd add-on investment made for HQ Equita’s portfolio companies within its 5th fund generation (HQ Equita V) in the last 12 months. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

EBERTLANG was advised on the transaction by Warth & Klein Grant Thornton (Finance) and Watson Farley & Williams (Legal and Tax).

About HQ Equita
HQ Equita is part of the Harald Quandt-Group, based in Bad Homburg. Around 10 investment professionals support primarily owner-managed SMEs in strategically developing and growing their business. HQ Equita has become an established and trusted partner for SMEs since 1992, with around EUR 1 billion invested in over 37 small and medium-sized companies in German-speaking countries.
www.hqequita.com

About EBERTLANG
Since its foundation in 1995, EBERTLANG has focused on the electronic distribution of software for IT professionals and is now one of the leading value-added specialist distributors in German-speaking Europe. In addition to classic sales work and access to more than 19,000 specialized IT experts in the channel, EBERTLANG also offers software vendors support with the market launch of new products, the localization of software and corresponding sales strategies, and ensures a constantly growing brand awareness. The comprehensive range of services extends from training courses for resellers and users to audits and on-site integration, which are also carried out in cooperation with the company’s own channel partners.
www.ebertlang.com

About 8Soft
8Soft is a value-added distributor focused on cybersecurity solutions. The portfolio consists of explicitly selected solutions that have passed the 8Soft practice test. Under the motto: “IT Security, that’s us.” the 8Soft team maintains a very close relationship with its resellers. Fixed contact persons, partner program, MDF funds, but also networking among the resellers are a matter of course at 8Soft. 8Soft GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the system house bitbone AG in Würzburg. It was spun off as an independent company in 2008 from bitbone’s “Distribution” business unit, which had previously existed for five years.
www.8soft.de

Media contact:
Ulrich von Rotenhan
Head of Communications & Investor Relations HQ Capital
+49 6172 401 818
press@hqcapital.com
www.hqcapital.com

Contact EBERTLANG:
Alexander Hassel
Team Lead Marketing
Tel: +49 (6441) 67118-398
alexander.hassel@ebertlang.com
www.ebertlang.de

Investor contact:
Jan Herwig
Head of investor relations HQ Equita
+49 6172 9441-227
Jan.Herwig@hqequita.com