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Alta Growth Capital successfully exits AGH

Alta Growth Capital successfully exits AGH

Mexico City, Mexico, February 22, 2024

Alta Growth Capital (“AGC”) announced today the completion of the sale of Grupo Industrial Artes Graficas, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. (“AGH”), a labels manufacturer in Mexico with an integrated service offering, to Sigma Q Packaging, S.A. (“SigmaQ”), a leading multi-packaging supplier with over 50 years of expertise. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Established in 1977 in Mexico City by the Hinojosa family, AGH has emerged as a prominent player in the label manufacturing industry, leveraging over six decades of industry expertise. Initially founded as a traditional printing house, the company transitioned to label printing in 1980 and later expanded its operations by inaugurating a facility in Guanajuato in 1989. Over the years, AGH has experienced significant growth, driven by both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. In 2016, Alta invested in AGH, providing capital and expertise to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory further.

Erik Carlberg, Managing Director of Alta Growth Capital, highlighted, “the results yielded by this investment in AGH show the benefits of company management and shareholders working together to yield exceptional returns.  Through the investment period, we worked together in difficult and in promising situations.  We expect that the company will continue thriving in partnership with SigmaQ.”

Throughout the investment period, AGH undertook various strategic actions and initiatives, including the appointment of a new CEO, pricing adjustments, process optimizations, and the establishment of a new customer service department. These efforts significantly improved AGH’s overall results, with revenue and EBITDA achieving compounded annual growth rates of 15% and 37%, respectively, throughout the period.

“Working with Alta has been a great experience both for the company and the team,” stated Gerardo Hinojosa Valdés, CEO of AGH. “Through the years they actively contributed at every level of our projects and decision making, with a very strategic involvement and a hands-on attitude. Alta is now a big part of AGH´s history and success.”

“We’re quite satisfied with our increased presence in Mexico and very enthused to begin a long-term partnership with the Hinojosa family,” said Henry Yarhi, Chairman of SigmaQ.

About AGH

AGH is a leading labels manufacturer in Mexico with multinational corporations and AAA national clients such as Nestlé and PepsiCo. Their main products include paper, flexible and shrink sleeve labels. With more than 300 employees, the Company offers an integrated service, including design, production, and delivery.

Alta Growth Capital successfully exits Lottus Education

Alta Growth Capital successfully exits Lottus Education

Mexico City, Mexico, February 21, 2022 – Lottus Education shareholders have reached an agreement to sell 100% shares of the company to a strategic player.

Lottus Education became a great success story as it rapidly consolidated amongst the largest 5 companies in private higher education in Mexico, both through acquisitions and organic growth. Lottus began as a search fund acquisition of Universidad Tres Culturas (UTC) in 2015, a university with 6 thousand students. Alta invested in 2019 to support the acquisition of ULA, reaching 42 thousand students. In 2021 Lottus completed another two acquisitions, UANE and UTEG, with an additional investment from Alta and the rest of the shareholders. Lottus reached 84 thousand students at the beginning of 2023. Lottus targets university students in the low and middle socioeconomic levels through different study modalities providing a strong value proposition through its five long-standing operating brands.

About Lottus Education

Lottus Education, founded in 2015, is one of the largest higher education platforms in Mexico with ~78k students. It targets low and middle socioeconomic levels through different study modalities providing a strong value proposition for students through five long-standing operating brands:

  • Universidad Latinoamericana (“ULA”), a highly recognized, private university in Mexico that targets middle-income undergraduate students and low-income adults looking to complete/expand their education.
  • Universidad Tres Culturas (“UTC”) is a Mexican academic institution with 12 campuses and over 20 years of experience promoting the education and the social development of its students through affordable tuitions. With Lottus sponsorship, UTC grew from 6,600 students in 2015 to +30,000 students as of August 2022.
  • Colegio Indoamericano (“Indo”), acquired in 2020, is a well-recognized high school located in the north of Mexico City with ~1.1k students and +40 years of experience.
  • UTEG: UTEG was founded in 1968 in Guadalajara, it currently has more than 16,000 students and more than 1,200 collaborators. UTEG´s infrastructure includes 9 campuses strategically located in Guadalajara´s metropolitan area.
  • UANE: The Universidad Autónoma del Noroeste (“UANE”) was founded in 1974 to meet the needs of people who work and have experience in their field, but do not have a professional title. After 47 years, with +14,000 students and 1,200 collaborators, UANE has positioned itself as the leading institution of Higher Education in Mexico´s northeastern region.
Alta Growth Capital announces the acquisition of QSR TH

Alta Growth Capital announces the acquisition of QSR TH

Mexico City, Mexico, August 15, 2022 – Alta Growth Capital (“AGC”) announced today that they have led the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of QSR TH S.A.P.I de C.V. (“QSR TH”), a well-established quick service restaurant (“QSR”) operator in Mexico with rights to operate the Carl’s Jr brand in the greater Mexico City area. AGC co-invested alongside Eduardo Uribe Mesta, a foodservice executive with over 20 years of experience in the QSR industry in Mexico and Latin America. Mr. Uribe will join the Company as CEO and lead the expansion plan in the coming years.

Headquartered in Mexico City, QSR TH operates 47 Carl’s Jr stores. Carl’s Jr opened its first restaurant in Mexico in 1991, the first franchise outside of the United States. Since then, it has become one of the country’s best-known restaurant chains. As of 2021, CKE (the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s) has over 3,000 restaurants in 40+ countries. Alta will work with QSR TH to continue its expansion plan in Mexico City and create new growth opportunities.

Javier Garcia Teruel Avila, Managing Director of Alta Growth Capital, highlighted, “Carl’s Jr is a top global hamburger QSR brand which has grown consistently in Mexico and Latin America. We believe the opportunity has outstanding potential due to its brand recognition, quality food, strong franchise network, and Alta’s previous experience in the QSR sector.”

Eduardo Uribe, investor and new CEO of QSR TH, added: “This is a further step to continue executing the expansion plan for the Carl’s Jr brand in Mexico City. After being in the QSR sector for 20+ years, I am excited to partner with Alta Growth Capital to achieve the full potential of the Carl’s Jr concept.”

This is AGC’s fifth investment from its third fund.

About QSR TH

QSR TH was part of Taco Holding, one of the leading restaurant operators in Mexico. The Company is one the largest Carl’s Jr operators in Mexico and, as of August 2022, operates 47 Carl’s Jr stores and continues to hold the exclusive rights in its territories to develop the brand for the coming years.

Alta Growth Capital and Fondo de Fondos aquire Mexican API Producer Interquim

Alta Growth Capital and Fondo de Fondos aquire Mexican API Producer Interquim

Mexico City, Mexico, December 13, 2021 – Alta Growth Capital (“AGC”) announced today that they have led the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Interquim, a leading active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) producer in Mexico. Fondo de Fondos participated as AGC’s co-investor to complete the ticket.

Headquartered in Mexico State, the Company is internationally recognized, particularly in the production of Vitamin B12 derivatives and small-scale APIs and is well-positioned to benefit from the trend in the industry to diversify supply chains, including geographically. Alta will work with the Company to continue its international growth in niche pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as continue serving its existing client base with high quality APIs.

Javier Garcia Teruel Avila, Managing Director of Alta Growth Capital, highlighted, “Interquim has transformed itself into a leading Mexican producer of niche API’s for clients worldwide. The Company’s high-quality standards, reliability, key regulator certifications, and robust R&D capabilities make it an ideal partner for pharmaceutical clients and will support its significant growth perspective.”

Stefano Salmieri, CEO of Interquim, added: “This is a strategically important step in the evolution of the Company. Alta has the track record of working with experienced management teams to institutionalize companies and create value. This partnership with a strong financial investor gives Interquim and its employees the opportunity to continue growing the business and to take full advantage of the market’s potential. I am confident that Alta, together with the current management team, will succeed in implementing the Company’s strategy, aimed at providing superior products and services to its pharmaceutical customers worldwide while consolidating Interquim’s position as a highly reliable manufacturer.”

Interquim was advised by Venser (Venture Advisory Services).

Read more at LAVCA

About Interquim

Established in 1983 in Mexico to contribute to the development of the pharmaceutical industry, Interquim is one of the few API producers in Mexico and Latin America. Interquim is one of the world’s leading independent players in the production of Vitamin B12 derivatives, as well as niche products within the molecules market. Currently, the Company’s team has +120 highly qualified employees that service +100 clients in 31 countries. Its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) have been certified by several health authorities, both national and international. The Company is committed to innovation and high-quality service standards.

www.interquim.com.mx/

About Alta Growth Capital

Alta Growth Capital manages private equity funds focused on growth equity and buyouts in middle-market companies in Mexico and Latin America. AGC has been operating since 2007 in Latin America and is now investing out of its third fund.

www.agcmexico.com

Alta Growth Capital and IFC announce a US$9.8 million co-investment in Lottus Education

Alta Growth Capital and IFC announce a US$9.8 million co-investment in Lottus Education

México City, México, August 5th, 2021. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), member of the World Bank Group, announced a co-investment of US$9.8 million in Lottus Education, a leading higher education group with a diversified portfolio of universities in México, along with Alta Growth Capital, a Private Equity Fund oriented to the development of middle-market companies and existing shareholder of Lottus Education.

The co-investment will contribute to the objective of improving the quality of education in México, where 31 percent of businesses identify inadequately educated workforce as a major constraint. Founded in 2015, Lottus Education provides quality education to low and middle-income students through its three assets for a total of 40,000 students: Universidad Tres Culturas (UTC), Universidad Latinoamericana (ULA) and Colegio Indoamericano.

IFC’s investment alongside Alta Growth Capital and existing Lottus Education investors will help Lottus Education to make strategic purchases in the sector as well as expanding its territorial coverage and adding more than 30,000 students to its portfolio. IFC will also support Lottus Education through the Digital For Tertiary Education Program (D4TEP), a program created with Deloitte Consulting to help universities in the development, implementation and financing of their digital transformation. This investment will have a direct impact for the technological evolution of Lottus Education and the digital journey of its students.

Mario Gonzalez, CFO of Lottus Education, said: “Our mission and obsession is to revolutionize the sector by fostering the access to good education and through the assurance of high-quality employment to our students. This is a terrific milestone for Lottus Education. IFC will contribute with resources to accelerate the digital transformation of our group. This investment also demonstrates the strong support of the international investment community in the education sector. We are thrilled to join forces with the IFC and get Alta’s continuous support on this journey.”

Elena Sterlin, IFC’s Senior Manager for Global Health and Education, stated: “Lottus Education accomplishes its quality standards and breadth of curriculum at a remarkably low cost to its students: tuition rates at its schools are 30-50 percent below rates of competitors. Such low tuition rates make education more accessible for low and low-middle income students in a country where only two percent of students from the poorest quintile are enrolled in tertiary institutions”.

Erik Carlberg, Managing Director of Alta Growth Capital, highlighted, “Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lottus’s management team redoubled efforts to support the student experience through an improved virtual platform and is still expanding its education platform through strategic acquisitions. We are very excited about this follow-on investment and eager to continue supporting Lottus Education on its spectacular growth path.”

Demand for education is soaring. The number of higher education students is projected to more than double by 2025. Most of this growth will come from the emerging markets. Meanwhile, youth unemployment continues to grow globally, even as employers report difficulty in finding workers with the right skills. IFC is strongly committed to increasing the access of the most vulnerable sectors to high quality education.

About Lottus Education:

Founded in 2015, Lottus Education is a tech powered leading consolidation platform of higher education in Mexico. Through its operating brands, Lottus Education offers high-school, undergraduate and graduate educational programs and services, online and on-campus in Mexico. Lottus Education has close to 50,000 enrolled students, including over 20,000 digital students, nationwide

www.lottus.com

About Alta Capital Growth:

Alta Growth Capital is a private equity fund that invests in middle-market companies operating in Mexico. It targets sectors benefiting from the rising domestic consumption of goods and services in the Mexican market, including industries such as consumer goods, retail, financial services, housing, healthcare, education, entertainment, and selective manufacturing and industrial sectors.

The team at Alta Growth Capital is comprised of Mexican and U.S. nationals with deep networks and significant business experience, both operating and investing in companies, bringing these resources to bear on each portfolio company to create the best possible outcomes for all parties involved.

www.altagc.com

About IFC:

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2020, we invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

Alta Growth Capital closes Fund III with $150 million

Alta Growth Capital closes Fund III with $150 million

Mexico City, Mexico (October 5, 2020) – Alta Growth Capital (“Alta”) announced today that it has completed a final close of Alta Growth Capital, Mexico Fund III, L.P. (“AGC Fund III”) with $150 million in commitments. In spite of a very challenging fundraising environment in the region, AGC Fund III achieved the same level of commitments as its prior fund. The Fund was supported by a diverse group of Mexican and international limited partners with the majority of the capital coming from outside of Latin America.

“At a time of tremendous economic and social uncertainty, we’re grateful for the support of our returning limited partners and for the trust placed in us by our new investors,” said Scott McDonough, Managing Director. “We’ve shown an ability to generate positive results over multiple fund cycles and varying economic conditions, and we look forward to deploying more capital at a time when we are seeing very interesting investment opportunities in our region.”

“Current events have reduced the availability of capital in Mexico and Latin America even more than before,” added Javier G. Teruel, Chairman of Alta Growth Capital. “With our team and strategy, we are well positioned to help fill this capital gap and achieve very good returns while, at the same time, have a positive impact by generating greater economic opportunity.”

Venable LLP acted as primary fund formation counsel for AGC Fund III. Ortiz, Sosa y Asociados, SC acted as Mexican tax counsel.

About Alta Growth Capital (www.altagc.com)

Alta Growth Capital, based in Mexico City, is one of the leading private equity funds investing in Latin America. With an investor base that includes U.S., Mexican and European institutions, Alta makes buyout and growth equity investments in small and medium-sized businesses that are poised to take advantage of the high growth opportunities in the Mexican and other Latin American markets. Financing for growth, whether equity or debt, can be difficult to obtain for companies in the Latin American lower middle market. Alta’s financing, along with its strategy to professionalize and institutionalize operations, provides opportunities for significant value creation in its portfolio companies.

Contact Us

Bosque de Duraznos 127, 5th floor,
Bosques de las Lomas,
Mexico City, Mexico. 11700.

 +52 55 5254 3280 

 info@altagc.com

 Alta Growth Capital