Athena buys Portuguese Science4you – Industry

Science4you was founded in 2008, has a turnover of 20 million euros and has 20 stores and 300 workers, but sales have begun to decline in recent years, with the epidemic severely affecting the activity of the educational and scientific toys manufacturer.

After failing to appear to the public, which was due to happen a few months before the arrival of COVID-19, Science4you ended 2020 with revenue of just 5.4 million euros, accumulating losses of 18.7 million euros in the past three years. She was in technical bankruptcy.

November 10, 2022: Atena Equity Partners announced the acquisition of the majority of the share capital of Science4you, which now has a turnover of approximately €10 million, 70% of which is exported to more than 45 countries, including Spain and Germany. Ltd., UK and France, currently have two stores open in Portugal and employ just over 100 workers.

“This operation enhances the solidity and contributes to the development of the company, whose strategy anticipates the consolidation of its prominent position in the Iberian Peninsula, to accelerate international activity and strengthen its presence in the electronic channel at the global level, while continuing to bet on innovation and development of new products”, explains Atina, without revealing The value of the transaction, in a statement.

To support this strategic development of Science4Yyou, the company will “take advantage of the company’s capital of €11 million, led by Atena herself”, and offer the “private ownership” owner of the network of dental clinics at Malo Clinic which, in the past two over the years, has completed half a dozen operations Acquisitions, including Hospital Particular de Almada, pharmaceutical company Sidefarma, and Quinta & Santos – Score, a textile company specializing in finishes for global luxury brands.

Miguel Pena Martins remains CEO, Joe Santana is Chairman

“Science4you is a unique company in Portugal, with distinct products that provide it with competitive advantages both nationally and internationally. Our investment aims to consolidate the company, strengthen its product development team and support its growth, through a dynamic commercial strategy at the national level. And the international level that benefits from the quality of and innovating the games it produces,” emphasizes Joao Rodrigo Santos, founder and partner of Atena.

“Entering Atena Equity Partners is great news as it enhances our resilience and allows us to capitalize on the distinct value of our game offering,” says Miguel Pena Martins, CEO of Science4you.

“In addition to strong financial capability, it has a dedicated team that will be a tremendous asset in the company’s expansion, both in Portugal and internationally, and in exploring and promoting new growth channels,” says Martins.

Negócios knows that Atena’s acquisition of Science4you, in which Martins will remain as CEO and with a small contribution, marked the exit of the company’s capital by BCP Capital, the state venture capital of Portugal Ventures and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which owns 28.17%, 24.64% and 8 % Straight.

Science4y will now have a president – Joe Santana, who is part of the Atena Board of Directors.

Atena asserts that Science4you “is among the top 3 in Iberia producing games inspired by the STEAM methodology, which helps children stimulate their STEM skills while playing,” and that this “includes the Brain Activator Seal that recognizes children’s ability to develop skills Such as focus, memory, thinking, learning, social and manual skills while playing and having fun.”