HGGC Invests in Survey Sampling
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HGGC Invests in Survey Sampling

SSI nf1HGGC has signed an agreement to make a majority investment in Survey Sampling International, a provider of data and technology for consumer and business-to-business research.  The HGGC investment will be done in partnership with Providence Equity Partners and Sterling Investment Partners, who have jointly owned the company since 2011 and are retaining minority stakes in the business.

Survey Sampling International (SSI) gathers business data by conducting more than 31 million surveys annually through its online, mobile and offline capabilities. The company has more than 3,000 customers including some of the largest organizations in the world, ranging from leading market research and consulting firms to Fortune 500 businesses and universities. SSI, founded in 1977, has 25 offices in 18 countries and is headquartered in Shelton, CT (www.surveysampling.com).

rich lawson nf3“We are excited to partner with the management team, Providence, and Sterling on this investment in SSI, which pioneered sampling, data collection and data analytics, and has been an industry innovator and leader since its inception,” said Rich Lawson, CEO and Managing Partner of HGGC. “CEO Chris Fanning and the SSI management team have positioned the company to increase its global market share as the demand for actionable market insights continues to expand, and we will work closely with them to build on that success.”

HGGC (formerly Huntsman Gay Global Capital) makes leveraged buyout, recapitalizations and growth equity investments in middle market companies. The firm invests from $25 million to $100 million in equity per transaction in companies that have revenues of $100 million or more, enterprise values of $100 million to $500 million, and EBITDA of $15 million or more.  HGGC is based in Palo Alto (www.hggc.com).

“We are very pleased to open this new chapter for SSI and accelerate our growth strategy that has been so successful the past several years,” said Mr. Fanning.  “HGGC’s deep knowledge of technology-enabled businesses and their collaborative approach to management will be invaluable in supporting SSI as we look to extend our industry leadership, enhance our product and technology offering, expand our global footprint, and capture a substantial and growing market opportunity.”

On completion of the investment, Mr. Lawson will become Chairman of the Board of SSI, and will be joined on the Board by HGGC Managing Partner Steve Young.  Providence and Sterling will each continue to be represented on the Board of SSI.

2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 11-10-14

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