What we did

Capitalmind Investec advised B Live in the reorganization of its debt structure and the securization of additional CAPEX facilities to deliver its build-up strategy: marketing materials preparation, business plan modelling, organization of competitive processes with relevant private debt funds and banks, negotiation, execution support during due diligence phases, and negotiation on legal documentation.

About the deal

Founded in 2014 by Eric Barthélémy and Yannick Bétis, B Live is a leading French provider of technical equipment & services (audio, lighting, video, energy, cranes, machinery, etc.) for the entertainment and cinema industries. The group, which has grown mainly through targeted acquisitions, has generated in 2017 an annual turnover of 70 million euros and employs 250+ employees across 12 sites in France.

The group’s financial debt (including the mezzanine debt subscribed by LT Capital and Trocadero Capital Partners for the acquisition of Transpalux and Melpomen) has been refinanced. The new credit facility introduces two lines of financing:

– a term-loan A subscribed by 4 banks: LCL (lead), Banque Populaire Rives de Paris, Caisse d’Epargne Ile de France, and Société Générale;

– a term-loan B subscribed entirely by the private debt funds managed by Schelcher Prince Gestion.

The group will also benefit from increased financial flexibility for its external growth, thanks to additional secured lines of financing.

With this new debt structuring, the group (backed by LT Capital since 2015) gives itself the financial means to become a leading European provider of technical equipment & services for the entertainment and cinema industries.