Paris,6 November 2025 – Comet Software, a Paris-based group of vertical market software publishers, today announced that it has secured an acquisition facility of €40 million from Ares Credit funds (“Ares”), affiliates of Ares Management Corporation, a leading global alternative investment manager. The new facility is geared towards enabling Comet Software to accelerate its European expansion and pursue strategic acquisitions across the continent.
This transaction follows Comet Software’s €60 million equity raise in April 2024 with Alpera Partners. Over the past eighteen months, the group has emerged as a leading consolidator in the vertical market software space, completing nine acquisitions. Comet Software now generates over €30 million in annual revenue and employs nearly 250 professionals.
Among the companies that have joined the group are Volume Software and TreeDIM, providers of integrated software for the printing and packaging industries; MeSoigner, a pioneer in digital solutions for pharmacies; Statigest, developer ofCRM solutions for retail sales teams; and Cover 3D, publisher of design and production tools for the aluminium joinery sector.
The support from Ares strengthens Comet Software’s capacity to deliver on its long-term ambitions. Leveraging Ares’ global scale and resources, Comet Software is now positioned to accelerate its expansion and continue acquiring leading software publishers across France and Europe that share its values of ambition, innovation and excellence.
A Platform Designed for Entrepreneurs
Comet Software brings together specialised software publishers serving niche markets and offers each company joining the group:
1. Operational autonomy, allowing management teams to preserve their culture, agility and local identity – the foundations of their success.
2. Tailored support and access to shared resources to accelerate growth, including strategic and financial guidance, go-to-market and marketing expertise, sales structuring, HR and recruitment assistance, and support in deploying AI initiatives.
3. A unique opportunity to become shareholders in the group on highly attractive terms, enabling founders and executives to participate directly in the collective value creation of a larger, more resilient and high-growth platform.
A New Phase of European Expansion
This transaction marks a strategic milestone for Comet Software as it scales its acquisition programme and extend its presence across Europe, while remaining faithful to its decentralised model built on trust, local accountability and long-term partnerships.
Axel Jonsson, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Comet Software, commented:
“This financing from Ares provides us with the resources to accelerate our European development while staying true to our DNA — building, alongside passionate entrepreneurs, a sustainable group that combines local autonomy, operational excellence and long-term value creation.”
Damien Duquesne, Chief Financial Officer of Comet Software, added:
“This transaction highlights the strength of Comet Software’s model and the attractiveness of our platform to leading international investors. It enables us to continue investing in high-quality vertical software businesses while maintaining a robust financial profile.”
Basile Paul-Petit, Managing Partner at Alpera Partners, said:
“This transaction represents an important milestone for Comet Software and further validates the relevance of its model for software entrepreneurs looking for a permanent home for their businesses. We are pleased to renew our confidence in the team, whose disciplined execution and strategic vision continue to position Comet Software as a reference platform in the European vertical software market.”
Zineb Benkiran, Managing Director at Ares, concluded:
“We are pleased to support Comet Software in this new chapter of its growth journey. In less than two years, the group has established itself as a leading consolidator in the vertical software market, underpinned by a strong strategy, high-calibre team, and an entrepreneurial culture.”
About Comet Software
Comet Software is a group of vertical market software publishers operating under a long-term decentralised model. Each company retains its autonomy while benefiting from the expertise, network and resources of a platform dedicated to sustainable growth. The group currently comprises nine companies, generates close to €30 million in revenues, and aims to reach €100 million by 2027.
www.cometsoftware.fr
About Alpera Partners
Alpera Partners is an investment firm specialising in building and financing buy-and-build platforms across essential and fragmented sectors in Western Europe. Since 2022, Alpera has launched six consolidation platforms in nuclear, vertical software, accounting, human and animal healthcare, and hospitality. The team has completed over 75 acquisitions and deployed more than €120 million of capital, applying a proven methodology inspired by North American and Nordic models combining organic and M&A-driven growth.
www.alperapartners.com
About Ares Management
Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to advance our stakeholders’ long-term goals by providing flexible capital that supports businesses and creates value for our investors and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2025, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had over $572 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.
Press Contacts
Comet Software
Image Sept
Juliette Mouraret
+33 1 53 70 74 70
alpera@image7.fr
Ares Management
Giles Bethule
+44 7879615114
media.europe@aresmgmt.com
