Desjardins and Montreal Partners invest $3-million in 20-20 Technologies Inc.
Investment makes possible the acquisition of a U.S. competitor Montreal, July 8, 2002 - Investissement Desjardins, Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins and Montreal Partners, announce a $3-million total investment in 20-20 Technologies Inc., a developer and distributor of interior design and sales tools software for the residential and commercial sectors. The investment will allow 20-20 Technologies to acquire the company CAP, a major competitor in the commercial sector. This investment represents the second time in less than a year that Investissement Desjardins and Montreal Partners have teamed up to finance this company's acquisition plans. In August 2001 a financing agreement totalling $7-million was announced to support 20-20 Technologies in their consolidation of three U.S. acquisitions in the commercial and office furnishings sectors. Globally renowned, 20-20 Technologies designs software which allows the user to create a full interior design for a kitchen, bathroom, storage space or even an office. Users can thus make interior designs that meet their practical needs while at the same time creating a harmonious environment from the wide selection of materials, textures, styles and colours. "We are especially proud that our financial partners wish to reaffirm their confidence in our business," said Jean Mignault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for 20-20 Technologies. "With four acquisitions in less than 18 months, 20-20 Technologies is firmly established as the most important software provider in the commercial interior design field. The acquisition of CAP will allow us to reach a very select clientele, quite inaccessible until now," added Jean-Francois Grou, President and Chief Operating Officer. "We have been associated with 20-20 Technologies for nearly six years and have been both witness to and part of the solid progression of this Quebec business," confirmed Pierre Brunet, Senior Executive Vice-President, Investment, for Investissement Desjardins. "This investment and the resultant acquisition will allow 20-20 Technologies to take a leading position in another sector of its market, the commercial sector, which includes furnishings for office and commercial buildings," he added. About 20-20 Technologies 20-20 Technologies is a private company with world headquarters in Laval, Quebec, Canada. It distributes its software through a network of agents in North America, and through eight European offices, and additional offices in Japan and Brazil for Asia and Latin America, respectively. The company employs close to 280 people, notably 60 software developers in its R&D team, as well as an international team composed of more than 100 service professionals. (www.2020technologies.com) About Investissement Desjardins Investissement Desjardins is the venture capital fund manager of Mouvement des caisses Desjardins. It manages the assets of ID, a limited partnership, the six regional funds of Investissement Desjardins and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins, a new public fund whose capitalization is projected to reach $1.5-billion by 2010. More than a financial partner, Investissement Desjardins makes its expertise and network available to businesses for their startup, growth, expansion, as well as mergers, acquisitions or public offerings. Investissement Desjardins and its six regional funds are partners with more than 120 growing businesses. (www.desjardins.com/id) About Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins Founded on the initiative of the Mouvement Desjardins, Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins is a publicly-traded company whose main mission is to mobilize venture capital for the economic development of Quebec. About Montreal Partners Montreal Partners is a private investment fund, consisting of influential business people, with a mission to invest in established businesses seeking growth capital and strategic and financial expertise. - 30 - Information: Igor Krichevsky Vice President Marketing 20-20 Technologies Inc. Benoit La Salle Montreal Partners Danièle Routhier Coordinator, Communications / Media Investissement Desjardins
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