’In the past we often thought to ourselves: well, why not'
What next? In mid-2016. Raoul Werger and his partner Jeroen Tekelenburg started to question the future. Their cloud business Fundaments was growing, with employee numbers rising and the company performing well. But there were still problems.
Raoul Werger (41), Fundaments
Further growth means acquisitions, but they can sometimes be so costly that bank funding and savings are not enough. At the recommendation of a consultant, Tekelenburg and Werger went in search of an investment company. If they were taken over, their financial capacity would be massively increased.
Fundaments, with a workforce of 43, assists its clients to place their data and software in the cloud. The company offers custom-made solutions and security, and refers to itself as the ‘free thinker’ among cloud providers.
The search for an investor started in March 2017. ‘At that time, we wrote an information memorandum,’ explained Werger. ‘The interest was overwhelming: there were more than thirty takeover candidates. It took us until after the summer to select the most suitable party. It proved no mean feat because the language used by investment companies was foreign to us.’
After five months, Tekelenburg and Werger opted for Quadrum Capital, an investment company based in Almelo. Unlike many of the other candidates, at Quadrum, the founders were given considerable freedom of action. Although Quadrum purchased 60% of the shares, Werger and Tekelenburg remained in charge at Fundaments.
‘As long as we remain within budget’, continued Werger, ‘we have the freedom to decide on all expenditure.’
Nonetheless, since the takeover, there have been changes at Fundaments. ‘In the past we often thought: well, why not’, said Werger. ‘But since the arrival of Quadrum, we base our actions on the figures. It feels like we have become a real business.’
There are other advantages from the takeover, too. Werger, for example, now has more money for his great hobby: rally driving. ‘I take part in the Dutch championship, and it costs a pretty penny.’
Werger has no worries about the future. Of course, if Quadrum decides to sell the business, then he and his business partner must also put the rest of their interest up for sale, too. ‘But we may be able to stay on as directors. Or perhaps buy back a portion of the shares. There is still plenty of work for us to do here.’