Septeo

In 2013, a strategic alliance was formed by Hugues Galambrun, Jean-Luc Boixel, and Philippe Rivière. They united several companies, including Genapi, to create a new entity: Septeo. The vision was to build a powerhouse of specialized software solutions for legal and real estate professionals in France. Instead of building a single, monolithic product, Septeo’s strategy was to acquire best-in-class vertical software companies, creating a one-stop shop for notaries, lawyers, and property managers. This approach allowed them to offer a comprehensive suite of tools covering everything from document management to client relations. A pivotal moment in Septeo's journey came in 2020. The private equity firm Hg, a specialist investor in software and services, acquired a majority stake in the company. This wasn't a small deal; it valued Septeo at over €1 billion, turning it into a tech unicorn. The investment from Hg was a strong validation of Septeo's business model and its dominant position in the French legal tech market. It provided the capital and expertise needed to accelerate growth, both organically and through further acquisitions. Following the acquisition, Septeo continued its expansion, solidifying its leadership in France and beginning its push into other European markets like Belgium and Spain. The company's story is a playbook on vertical market software consolidation. By identifying a specific professional need and systematically acquiring the best tools to serve it, Septeo built a resilient and highly valuable enterprise, largely outside the typical startup spotlight.