Whitestone Group announces that it has acquired a 10% stake in Probiotic Group for €1,250,000 in a €2,500,000 capital increase.
Probiotic Group (www.probiotic-group.com) was founded in 2014 by Martin M.G. Schoonbroodt, a successful orthodontist and entrepreneur based in Eupen, with the mission to develop probiotic care and cleaning products that work effectively and sustainably. These are positioned as an alternative to traditional disinfectants and cleaners by being able to fight antibiotic resistance and optimize the different biological environments.
After several years of fundamental and applied research on bacteria, Probiotic has developed a range of sustainable products based on the principle of the circular economy that respects humans, animals, and the environment in three segments (cleaning, animals, cosmetics) under its own brand (Provilan) and private labels (Pour-Nous, Simple Goods).
The company employs around 20 people in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, divided between a production site and a research site working in close collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology (LIST) and the University of Luxembourg (LCSB). It is co-managed by the son of the founder, Martin Schoonbroodt, and by Paul Mauhin.
Frédéric Pouchain, CEO of Whitestone Group, said: “This investment fits perfectly with the scale-up part of our portfolio where we aim to support innovative and growing companies by providing capital and a network. Furthermore, this investment is in line with our strategy of partnering with families and I would like to thank Martin Senior and Martin Junior for their confidence in us by opening up the capital of their company. We are convinced that the research and products developed by the Probiotic group correspond more and more to the expectations of consumers but also of legislators and that the so-called green or organic chemistry is a fundamental trend. This participation will take place in the Environment part, which is one of our four investment sectors”.
Martin M.G. Schoonbroodt, founder of Probiotic Group, underlines that “the collaboration between investors will allow our company, Probiotic Group, to accelerate its growth by further promoting our products and by supporting it in order to meet new R&D challenges. Innovation is the basic dynamic of our company culture. More than ever, together with our partners, we want to consolidate our base – developed and optimized over the last eight years – and accelerate our business expansion in Europe and beyond. The values of our investors are identical to our own, and the collaboration will be fruitful and productive.”
About Whitestone Group :
After spending a decade at CNP (Groupe Frère), Frédéric Pouchain and Sandro Ardizzone created Whitestone in 2012 to manage listed assets through a SICAV. As opportunities and meetings arose, Whitestone expanded its activities into private equity management by taking stakes in SMEs in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its objective is to create long-term value by acting as a professional shareholder with involvement in governance, strategy, financing, and development. The group is currently active in four sectors: Financial Services (gold, precious metals, and foreign exchange trading and asset management), Composite Materials, Data solution & Management and Environment.
Whitestone Group is listed on Euronext Growth Brussels under the ticker ROCK. Its net assets amount to approximately €24 million.
13th of July 2022
