ALPHAPET WELCOMES CPRO FOOD

AlphaPet Ventures, Europe’s leading digital brand platform for premium pet food, has welcomed the Belgian super-premium brand Cpro Food into its European platform. With Cpro Food, AlphaPet continues its successful buy-and-build strategy – as its fifth acquisition since 2020.

AlphaPet Ventures (AlphaPet) is digitizing the pet food market and successfully develops and distributes premium brands across Europe. The portfolio includes established brands such as Wolfsblut, Wildes Land, Arden Grange, Herrmann’s Manufaktur and JR Pet Products. AlphaPet’s multi-channel strategy combines a strong digital direct-to-consumer (D2C) business with a customer-centric approach through proprietary platforms and partnerships with leading retail partners in the B2B segment.

Cpro Food was founded in 2014 by sisters Anne-France and Béatrice Germeau in Ans/Liège (Belgium) and has established itself as the leading super-premium brand for dog and cat food in Belgium. The product range includes high-quality dry food, wet food and treats, distributed through a strong network of specialty pet retailers and breeders. The focus on Belgian origin and the highest quality standards has secured Cpro Food a market-leading position in the Belgian premium segment.

Marco Hierling, Founder and CEO of AlphaPet: “Anne-France and Béatrice have built an impressive brand with Cpro Food that fits perfectly into our portfolio as a ‘Local Hero’ in the Belgian super-premium segment. Cpro ideally complements our presence in Europe and gives us access to the Belgian market – one of the pet food markets with the highest premium share in Europe.”

“With Cpro Food as next step, AlphaPet once again demonstrates the strength of its buy-and-build strategy. Five acquisitions in six years, each successfully integrated into the platform: This is a track record unmatched in the European pet food industry,” explains Fritjof Franz, Managing Partner at capiton.

Anne-France Germeau: “What convinced us from the very beginning was that AlphaPet thinks exactly like we do – quality first, no compromises. Bringing this shared commitment together within a European company is a unique opportunity.” Béatrice Germeau: “For over ten years, we have proven that premium quality and growth are not mutually exclusive. With AlphaPet, we have found a partner who shares our values and will support our growth - not just in Belgium.”

The entire Cpro team remains on board and founders Anne-France and Béatrice Germeau will actively support the next growth phase, ensuring continuity for customers and partners together with AlphaPet.

The acquisition was financed through a combination of equity and debt. Patria Investments took the role of lead investor of the financing round, with significant contribution from Venture Stars and support of existing AlphaPet shareholders.

Mark Nicolson, Partner and Head of Primary Investments at Patria, stated: “We are delighted to be supporting AlphaPet in the execution of its acquisition and internationalization strategy and look forward with confidence to continuing our successful partnership with AlphaPet’s ambitious management team.”

The debt financing was provided by CVC, underscoring their continued support of AlphaPet’s buy-and-build strategy.

AlphaPet was advised by Altius (Legal Belgium), LutzAbel (Legal Germany), Deloitte (Financial & Tax), A&O Shearman (Financing Legal) and Sonntag & Partner (Tax & Structure). Cpro was advised by PwC (Lead Advisor) and Linklaters (Legal).

About AlphaPet Ventures

AlphaPet Ventures is Europe’s leading technology-driven brand platform for premium pet food. By combining multi-channel distribution, digital brand building and end-to-end technology solutions, AlphaPet is transforming the pet food market.

Organic growth and a successful buy-and-build strategy have built a fast-growing portfolio of leading European premium brands. Guided by the vision “Healthy food for every pet”, AlphaPet’s subsidiaries and brands drive the premiumization and digitalization of the pet food market.

About Cpro Food

Cpro Food was founded in 2014 by Anne-France and Béatrice Germeau in Ans/Liège (Belgium). The company has established itself as one of the leading super-premium brands for dog and cat food in Belgium and is listed in over 370 specialty pet retailers and with more than 1,150 professional breeding stations. The product range includes high-quality dry food, wet food and treats with a focus on Belgian origin and the highest quality standards. Cpro Food will remain committed to the Belgian specialty pet retail channel.

About capiton

capiton is an independent, owner-managed private equity firm with funds under management exceeding EUR 1.6 billion. The current portfolio comprises 14 mid-market companies, supporting management buyouts and growth financing for established businesses.

About Patria Investments

Patria is a leading alternative investment firm with over 37 years of experience, specializing in resilient key sectors. With assets under management exceeding USD 50 billion and a global presence, Patria Investments strives to deliver consistent returns in attractive, long-term investment opportunities while creating sustainable value for society.

About Reimann Investors

Reimann Investors is a family office and corporate group representing members of the Reimann entrepreneurial family. The company focuses on highly liquid capital market investments and direct investments in high-growth digital companies in the areas of SaaS and FinTech.

About Venture Stars

Venture Stars is a Munich-based venture capital fund with a focus on early-stage investments in innovative, digital B2C and B2B business models. The Venture Stars partners are serial startup entrepreneurs themselves and work closely with the founders of the portfolio companies. Venture Stars co-founded ePetWorld, which later became AlphaPet through the merger with pets Premium. Collaboration with Venture Stars goes beyond providing capital and includes know-how, network access, and hands-on operational support on topics such as strategy, organizational development, financing, and exit planning.