NextStage supports the Dream Yacht Charter group in the acquisition of SamBoat, a leading internet boat rental platform

Paris, France, November 06, 2018 - NextStage, a platform for long-term investment in Medium-Sized Companies [1] and growth, listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0012789386, Ticker: NEXTS), announces a reinvestment of € 2,9 million as part of a total fundraising of € 5,0 million to finance the acquisition of SamBoat, one of the leading internet boat rental platforms.

Founded in 2014 by Laurent Calando and Nicolas Cargou, SamBoat is a platform connecting boat owners and tenants. The platform, which offers boats put online by private owners and recently by professionals, lists more than 25 boats (sail and motor) of all sizes for hire. SamBoat also offers a tailor-made insurance service adapted to the rental of boats between individuals, as well as a concierge service to facilitate these rentals.

The acquisition of SamBoat is a strategic step for the Dream Yacht Charter group, which on this occasion strengthens its undisputed position as the world leader in pleasure boat rental. This operation demonstrates the group's ambition to build a benchmark digital platform for the nautical world. The integration of SamBoat thus allows the group to strengthen its offer in private rental, which is in full development, and to benefit from the experience of SamBoat teams to deploy the digitization of its offer: rentals of all types (daily , cabin, bareboat, fractional, long-term etc.), sale of new and second-hand boats as well as the sale of ancillary services. The group's entire technological expertise center will be centralized in Bordeaux, the headquarters of SamBoat.

Since NextStage's initial investment alongside Fountaine Pajot, the Dream Yacht Charter group has continued its path of profitable growth, achieving a turnover of € 109m for € 21m of EBITDA in 2017. It expects growth above 30% for 2018, driven in particular by several strategic acquisitions in Germany (Argos Yachtcharter und Touristik), Sweden (Croatia Yacht Club) and in France (Vents de Mer). The group has also launched a new offer with the creation of the Dream Boat Club in June 2018, a service offering its members, via a subscription, privileged access to a diversified offer of motor boats, for short-term rentals.

The acquisition of SamBoat is partially financed by a fundraising of € 5,0 million subscribed to € 2,9 million by NextStage. In addition to financing, NextStage, in accordance with its ambition as an entrepreneur-investor, supported the group in terms of strategic advice throughout this operation.

« The support and expertise of NextStage in this type of operation is of great importance to us. We chose the NextStage teams for their entrepreneurial vision, and their ability to support us in strategic acquisitions. We share the same vision and ambition to make the Dream Yacht group a key player in yachting around the world, able to meet the expectations of different user communities, ranging from the rental of a semi-rigid for half a day to the management of a large yacht with crew. " said Loic Bonnet, Chairman and Founder of the Dream Yacht Charter group.

« Through the acquisition of SamBoat, Dream Yacht Charter is giving itself the means to strengthen the accessibility of boating to an ever-increasing number of people who wish to sail. SamBoat thus responds to the growing need to want to enjoy a boat without the inconvenience of owning it. This model, which is part of the underlying trend of the economy on demand and sharing, is a strong growth vector that will allow the group to continue its development. »Commented Grégoire Sentilhes, President of NextStage AM and manager of NextStage.

« In addition to the enrichment of the group's offer in a rapidly developing segment, this acquisition is part of the project to constitute the benchmark platform for world boating.»Added Julien Potier, Participation Director of NextStage AM.

[1] Medium-Sized Enterprises (MTE): turnover between 10 and 500M €