French investor buys into Cyber Group Studios

French investment firm L-GAM has bought out Cyber Group Studios’ minority investors as the Paris-based animation house targets company acquisitions.

The deal, financial terms of which were not revealed, will allow Cyber Group to “finance new opportunities” that are part of an “ambitious international acquisition strategy, which will fuel up the company’s strong organic growth”.

Cyber Group has already acquired Paris-based Piktor Media in 2016, and in January hired former Jim Henson sales chief Richard Goldsmith to launch Cyber Group Studios USA as president and CEO. His role includes IP and company acquisitions.

Cyber Group launched in 2005 and has made a number of successful cash raises since then. It is behind shows such as Gigantosaurus (pictured), Zou, Mirette Investigates (pictured) and Pirates Next Door.

L-GAM is an investment company that focuses on long-terms capital commitments, which currently total around €350 million.

Yves Alexandre, Ferdinando Grimaldi and Felipe Merry de Val launched the fund in 2013 in partnership with the Princely House of Liechtenstein and several other high wealth families from Europe, Asia and the US.

“We have been particularly attracted by Cyber Group Studios economic model and team, and we are pleased to associate ourselves and contribute to their ambitious development plan,” said L-GAM co-founder Alexandre.

Pierre Sissmann, Cyber Group’s chairman and CEO, said L-GAM’s investment would allow it pursue its growth strategy. “This will help improve our production of content, but also contribute to the development of new activities and groundbreaking technology, as well as opening up to new markets around the world,” he added.