Eurazeo to invest in French pet food brand Ultra Premium Direct

Eurazeo has agreed to invest 68 million euros in Ultra Premium Direct, a French pet food brand. Eurazeo is investing alongside co-founders Sophie and Matthieu Wincker and Eutopia, UPD’s existing minority shareholder via Otium Consumer, which would reinvest in the transaction via its new fund.

PRESS RELEASE

Eurazeo Brands, the division of Eurazeo focused on high growth, differentiated consumer brands, has signed an exclusivity agreement under which it would invest 68 million euros in Ultra Premium Direct as a majority shareholder. Eurazeo is investing alongside co-founders Sophie and Matthieu Wincker and Eutopia, existing minority shareholder via Otium Consumer, which would reinvest in the transaction via its new fund.

Founded in 2013, Ultra Premium Direct (“UPD”) has quickly become a leading player in the French premium pet food market. As a digitally-native brand, it has a strong and engaged community, and was selected as one of the French Tech 120 in 2021. Thanks to its unique positioning and direct approach, Ultra Premium Direct aims at democratizing premium pet food, offering natural products which cater to pet needs at an attractive price point, directly through its own website and subscription service.

Ultra Premium Direct is focused on improving pet health and well-being. The company develops high protein products with no artificial colourings or preservatives in collaboration with veterinarian nutritionists to ensure balanced and appropriate recipes. Its R&D capabilities and owned industrial plant in Agen, south of France, has enabled strong control over its value chain and contributed to the local roots of the brand.
Eurazeo Brands would leverage its proven brand building, operating and consumer expertise to partner with UPD and support the company’s growth. Specifically, Eurazeo will invest in UPD’s digital and ecommerce capabilities to strengthen the brand and its community, and work alongside management to enhance UPD’s product and service offering. In addition, Eurazeo would utilize its global network to help UPD in its international expansion, notably in Europe, and provide its internal CSR expertise to support the brand’s purpose-driven mission.

This majority investment in Ultra Premium Direct demonstrates Eurazeo Brands’ willingness to pursue its European development, after the acquisition of Swedish brand Axel Arigato in November 2020. It would represent Eurazeo Brands ninth investment since May 2017.

About Ultra Premium Direct
Ultra Premium Direct is a French premium petfood brand. Founded in 2013 by Sophie and Matthieu Wincker, two animallovers, the brand differentiates itself, offering high quality products catering to dogs and cats’ natural needs, distributed
exclusively through its own website, with an attractive price point. Ultra Premium Direct relies on a short and vertically integrated value chain thanks to owned production and logistic facility in Agen, allowing to offer a differentiated experience to consumers. The brand is highly authentic, mindful, and animates a strong community of loyal and engaged fans, sharing Ultra Premium Direct values and acting as brand ambassadors.

About Eurazeo
Eurazeo is a leading global investment group, with a diversified portfolio of €21.8 billion in Assets Under Management, including €15.0 billion from third parties, invested in over 450 companies. With its considerable private equity, real estate and private debt expertise, Eurazeo accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its nearly 300 professionals and by offering deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, London, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid. Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris. ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA