- Bit4ID will bring its strong capabilities in digital identity technologies, core of the digital trust business
- The acquisition consolidates the strength of the Namirial platform in Spain, Latin America and Eastern Europe
- Namirial platform is now exceeding €100 million revenues, thanks to a strong organic growth and a successful M&A strategy
(MILAN / LONDON / PARIS / MUNICH) – April 21, 2022 – Ambienta SGR SpA (“Ambienta”), one of Europe’s largest asset managers entirely focused on environmental sustainability, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Bit4 Group S.r.l. (“Bit4ID”), a specialized technology provider for digital identity and digital trust headquartered in Naples (Italy), with an important presence in the Spanish market through the Barcelona-based Uanataca S.A. Bit4ID joins the Namirial platform, leader in digital trust software and services.
Bit4ID, founded in 2004, started as a specialized technology provider for digital identity and digital trust, supplying Public Key Infrastructures (PKI) technology, the enabling technology for Digital Trust Services (DTS). More recently, relying on its strong competencies, the company has expanded into the DTS market becoming a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) providing digital signature and authentication services. Moreover, Bit4ID created a new innovative offering known as PKI as a Service (PKIaaS), providing the necessary cloud-based infrastructure and services to enable the certification authority business without a significant upfront investment.
Bit4ID’s competencies will enhance Namirial tech platform, allowing vertical integration into Public Key Infrastructure technologies and a full-stack approach to the DTS market, and extending Namirial product offering with complementary solutions such as the PKIaaS. Bit4ID will also bring a strong and capable R&D team, thanks to its access to a large talent pool of graduates from the highly reputed universities located in both Naples and Barcelona. Bit4ID, because of its international presence, will further consolidate Namirial position in Spain, Latin America and Eastern Europe and will contribute an initial foothold in the United Kingdom, India and other emerging markets.
Following Ambienta’s investment in Namirial in 2020, Bit4ID is the third bolt-on acquisition in the last six months. All the acquisitions helped achieving great results: Netheos allowed the entry into the French market and to strengthen the offering of digital onboarding solutions; Evicertia contributed to expand the footprint in Spain and Latin America and the offering of certified communication products; Bit4ID further boosts the tech capabilities of the Group as well as its international presence, including in some key emerging markets. On the back of the Group’s strong organic growth – supported by a successful M&A campaign – the platform is now exceeding €100 million revenues, has more than 800 employees and offices in 18 countries.
Bit4ID, as well as Namirial, records a positive environmental impact, in fact its software and services allow digital execution of transactions, avoiding printing bulky documents and with no need to travel to sign contracts. In 2021 Namirial’s products saved 13,680 tons of paper, 88 million liters of water, 10,690 tons of oil equivalent of energy.
Giancarlo Beraudo, Partner at Ambienta, said “Bit4ID represents another milestone towards the creation of a global leader in digital transaction management and digital trust services, with a strong international presence and a solid European DNA”. He added: “We are very happy to welcome the founders of Bit4ID into the shareholding of Namirial and we trust the group will benefit from their experience in digital identity and digital trust.”
Antonio Chello, CEO and Founder of Bit4ID, said: “We are excited to join this ambitious project. While there will be continuity in terms of management, sales, support and development as well as products and services offered, Bit4ID, particularly in its international markets, will benefit from a wider and more complete product offering and a complementary international footprint”. He added: “By accessing a larger group, Bit4ID will benefit from additional resources to be deployed both in research and development, and geographic expansion”.
Max Pellegrini, CEO of Namirial, said: “We are very happy to see Bit4ID joining our platform. Bit4ID shares Namirial’s culture based on flexibility and offering of customized solutions, which are key competitive advantages for enterprises and public administrations. The acquisition also secures sovereignty over mission-critical technologies for Trust Service Providers, granting independence from non-EU players”. Max added: “Bit4ID will help pursuing the emerging opportunities in the digital identity space, including future developments of the EU Digital Identity Wallet and Self-Sovereign Identities.”
About Ambienta
Ambienta is a European environmental sustainability investor across private and public markets. Operating out of Milan, London, Paris, and Munich, Ambienta manages over €1.5 billion in assets with a focus on investing in private and public companies driven by environmental megatrends and whose products or services improve Resource Efficiency or Pollution Control. In private equity Ambienta has completed 49 investments to date and in public equity markets, Ambienta has pioneered the world’s first absolute return fund entirely focused on environmental sustainability and manages a full suite of sustainable products ranging from low risk multi asset fund to equity long only.
To learn more, visit www.ambientasgr.com and follow on Linkedin
Media contact
Tancredi Group
ambienta@tancredigroup.com
About Bit4ID
Bit4ID is one of the most qualified companies in the field of digital identity and Digital Trust Services. Its high level of competence and avant-garde spirit have made it one of the major players internationally, with offices in Italy, Spain, Peru, India and sales offices in other countries worldwide. In a short time, Bit4id went from start-up to international company, without ever breaking the link with its territory, always maintaining its headquarters in Naples, one of the most important high-tech talent pools in Europe. Today, with over 200 employees, it continues to invest in its growth, determined to always reach new ambitious goals.
To learn more, visit www.bit4id.com
Media contact
Gianni Motta, Head of Bit4ID Corporate Communication
comunicazione@bit4id.com
About Namirial
Namirial supports customers in their digital transformation journey by providing solutions for trusted digital transaction management. Namirial digital trust services encompass solutions for customer onboarding, agreement automation, signature workflow orchestration, identification, multi-factor authentication, electronic signature, electronic registered delivery, long-term archive and electronic invoice.
Namirial is a qualified trust service provider under EU Regulation 910/2014 eIDAS. Together with its international network of over 120 strategic partners, Namirial is serving over one million customers worldwide, processing several millions of transactions every day. Founded in 2000 in Senigallia, Italy, Namirial is operating today out of offices in 18 countries, employing over 800 people. To learn more, visit www.namirial.com, follow Namirial on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, contact Namirial to schedule a demo or claim a free trial of Namirial eSignature solution eSignAnyWhere.
Media contact
Jörg Lenz, Head of MarCom Namirial
j.lenz@namirial.com