Gumption strengthens its capital to accelerate growth through acquisitions

Gumption founders Nicolas van Odijk Dieter Oversteyns Olivier Leroy Bart Embrechts Copy2

At the end of March, Gumption once again closed its financial year with impressive growth figures. In 2022, the group aims to surpass the 100m turnover mark. To help achieve this goal, Gumption plans to recruit 210 people. The business platform has recently completed a 7.5m capital increase to fund its acquisition strategy.

At the end of March, Gumption once again closed its financial year with impressive growth figures. In 2022, the group aims to surpass the 100m turnover mark. To help achieve this goal, Gumption plans to recruit 210 people. The business platform has recently completed a 7.5m capital increase to fund its acquisition strategy.

Excellent 2022 05 23 095230 fjei

Gumption ended the 2021-2022 financial year with 700 employees, a consolidated turnover of over €82m (a 22% increase on last year’s figure) and an EBITDA of €7m (up by 40%). The continuous growth curve adds extra lustre to Gumption’s ten-year anniversary.

Who were the top performers in 2021?

SAP partner TheValueChain was once again a strong contributor to the group’s growth. The five-times Trends Gazelle continues to be the biggest company in the group by far. It has achieved further solid growth in turnover (€36.9m), operating profit and staff.

Brightest and Bmatix also posted outstanding results. Six years after its foundation, Brightest hit the 100-people milestone. The specialist in software quality saw a growth spurt of 45% (€8.44m). BI expert Bmatix has also proven itself to be a consistent performer, combining a 12% turnover growth with a strong operating profit. No other Gumption company brought in more business in 2021 via mutual collaboration and cocreation, the unique selling proposition of the group.

Cocreation gained in importance as a differentiating factor, with Gumption continuing to actively pursue investment opportunities in 2021 to strengthen the 360° portfolio. Early 2021, DNCS and TowerEye joined the group, two sister companies specialised in access control and camera security, among other things. In autumn, Gumption welcomed the development team of Blackboxed, that now forms one team with Oddball, a specialist in experience design, consumer and employer branding.

Excellent 2022 05 23 095230 fjei

Gumption ended the 2021-2022 financial year with 700 employees, a consolidated turnover of over €82m (a 22% increase on last year’s figure) and an EBITDA of €7m (up by 40%). The continuous growth curve adds extra lustre to Gumption’s ten-year anniversary.

Who were the top performers in 2021?

SAP partner TheValueChain was once again a strong contributor to the group’s growth. The five-times Trends Gazelle continues to be the biggest company in the group by far. It has achieved further solid growth in turnover (€36.9m), operating profit and staff.

Brightest and Bmatix also posted outstanding results. Six years after its foundation, Brightest hit the 100-people milestone. The specialist in software quality saw a growth spurt of 45% (€8.44m). BI expert Bmatix has also proven itself to be a consistent performer, combining a 12% turnover growth with a strong operating profit. No other Gumption company brought in more business in 2021 via mutual collaboration and cocreation, the unique selling proposition of the group.

Cocreation gained in importance as a differentiating factor, with Gumption continuing to actively pursue investment opportunities in 2021 to strengthen the 360° portfolio. Early 2021, DNCS and TowerEye joined the group, two sister companies specialised in access control and camera security, among other things. In autumn, Gumption welcomed the development team of Blackboxed, that now forms one team with Oddball, a specialist in experience design, consumer and employer branding.

Gumption founders left to right Nicolas van Odijk Dieter Oversteyns Olivier Leroy Bart Embrechts 7 1 1 1
Growth strategy 2025

Gumption wants to extend its sustainable growth based on a buy & build strategy. In January 2022, Bmatix acquired its Hasselt industry rival McCoy & Partners Belgium, with considerable senior expertise in SAP Finance and BI, among other things. At the end of March, TheValueChain completed its acquisition of SAP Partner Canguru. This move is in line with the company’s ambition to become one of the biggest SAP Partners in the Benelux.

Over the next few years, Gumption wants to continue down this path. ‘Gumption is currently finalising acquisition files in other fields and regions too,’ says Bart Embrechts. ‘To keep driving our growth strategy forward, we have recently increased our capital by €7.5m provided by long term private wealth investors. In doing so, we have strengthened our already solid financial base and created extra room to act quickly in terms of acquisition files.’

The group targets a turnover of €150m in 2025.

Gumption founders left to right Nicolas van Odijk Dieter Oversteyns Olivier Leroy Bart Embrechts 7 1 1 1
Growth strategy 2025

Gumption wants to extend its sustainable growth based on a buy & build strategy. In January 2022, Bmatix acquired its Hasselt industry rival McCoy & Partners Belgium, with considerable senior expertise in SAP Finance and BI, among other things. At the end of March, TheValueChain completed its acquisition of SAP Partner Canguru. This move is in line with the company’s ambition to become one of the biggest SAP Partners in the Benelux.

Over the next few years, Gumption wants to continue down this path. ‘Gumption is currently finalising acquisition files in other fields and regions too,’ says Bart Embrechts. ‘To keep driving our growth strategy forward, we have recently increased our capital by €7.5m provided by long term private wealth investors. In doing so, we have strengthened our already solid financial base and created extra room to act quickly in terms of acquisition files.’

The group targets a turnover of €150m in 2025.

Benjamin Kindt left Marcel van Buren en Liene De Bie
Strengthened management team

The strategic plan requires streamlined processes, a clear policy on cocreation and acquisitions, and engagement across the board, which is why Gumption strengthened its management team in 2021. Benjamin Kindt is responsible for finance & administration, purchasing, IT and the brand-new Gumption platform for the entrepreneurs. Marcel van Buren is the driving force behind cocreation, mergers & acquisitions, divestments and exits. And, building and fostering the right company culture, motivating employees, inspiring customers is Liene De Bie’s strategic mission.

210 new people in 2022

People are the critical success factor in this story. The challenge is ambitious. ‘In 2022, Gumption group is looking to recruit more than 210 people, 160 of which as permanent staff,’ says managing partner Bart Embrechts. ‘Cocreation also provides added value to them; it’s an opportunity to broaden their knowledge, develop new skills or take on new roles in project teams, for instance.’

Benjamin Kindt left Marcel van Buren en Liene De Bie
Strengthened management team

The strategic plan requires streamlined processes, a clear policy on cocreation and acquisitions, and engagement across the board, which is why Gumption strengthened its management team in 2021. Benjamin Kindt is responsible for finance & administration, purchasing, IT and the brand-new Gumption platform for the entrepreneurs. Marcel van Buren is the driving force behind cocreation, mergers & acquisitions, divestments and exits. And, building and fostering the right company culture, motivating employees, inspiring customers is Liene De Bie’s strategic mission.

210 new people in 2022

People are the critical success factor in this story. The challenge is ambitious. ‘In 2022, Gumption group is looking to recruit more than 210 people, 160 of which as permanent staff,’ says managing partner Bart Embrechts. ‘Cocreation also provides added value to them; it’s an opportunity to broaden their knowledge, develop new skills or take on new roles in project teams, for instance.’

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