Paris (France), January, 8th 2021
Apax SAS (“Apax”) reached an agreement with NPM Capital NV to acquire 100% of The NL Mental Care Group B.V. (“Mentaal Beter”), an innovative mental health care service provider in the Netherlands, operating through the brands Mentaal Beter, Vitalmindz, Alleskits and Opdidakt. This acquisition would be taken alongside the company’s management team who will retain a stake in the company and will continue to lead the business.
This significant investment would enable Mentaal Beter to accelerate its digitalisation strategy to further improve access and quality of care in the coming years. Mentaal Beter also wants to internationalise its unique business model and skills across Europe.
The intended acquisition is subject to approval by the relevant authorities (the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) and the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM)).
Mentaal Beter, initially a franchise model, has grown into a successful network of mostly owned practices with more than 120 locations across the Netherlands.
Since 2013, with the active support of NPM Capital, the firm has invested in company training for psychologists to become licensed therapists, as well as IT systems and E-health capability. In addition, Mentaal Beter has strengthened and modernised its structure by setting-up an effective central shared service center that handles most administrative tasks, allowing therapists to focus on patients’ care.
“With Apax and new ambitions in mind, we would be supported by a leading European investment firm with a long and deep expertise in healthcare services, a strong reputation in assisting entrepreneurs in digitizing their business and strong values in responsible investment. We feel very well equipped for the future as a Dutch mental health care organization, and to start deploying our knowledge and expertise abroad as well”
says Martin de Heer, CEO of Mentaal Beter.
“The Apax team would be very proud to contribute to the further development of Mentaal Beter that is delivering an essential service to the population, especially in the current environment. We are eager to support Mentaal Beter in its projects including digital transformation and international development, especially in countries where E-health, data-driven operations and online therapy are emerging”, underline Bertrand Pivin and Marc Benatar, both Partners at Apax.
About Mentaal Beter
Mentaal Beter is a mental health care services provider active in the mild to moderate severity mental care and learnings disorder market in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 2004 as a franchise and has since grown quickly into a successful network of practices in 120 locations across the Netherlands. After a merger with Parigger & de Heer in 2009, Mentaal Beter added its own branches and professionals to the payroll. In 2010, the mental health care organisation became part of the healthcare company Interhealth. This step enabled the development of more efficient processes and an increasingly datadriven operation. In 2013, investment company NPM Capital acquired Mentaal Beter from Interhealth.
About Apax
Apax is a leading European private equity firm based in Paris. With over 45 years of experience, Apax provides long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. Funds managed and advised by Apax exceed €4 billion. These funds invest in fastgrowing middle-market companies across four sectors of specialisation: Tech & Telecom, Consumer, Healthcare and Services.
Paris-headquartered Apax sas (www.apax.fr) and London-headquartered Apax LLP (www.apax.com) have a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms.
About NPM Capital
NPM Capital invests in medium-sized companies in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, providing them with the support they need to complete the next growth stage in their development. NPM Capital, whose sole shareholder is SHV, has the assets required to maintain a flexible – generally long-term – investment horizon. NPM Capital currently holds a portfolio of 26 participations (comprising both majority and minority stakes, including growth capital) and has turned its focus increasingly to the following future issues: Future of Energy, Everything is Digital, Feeding the World and Healthy Life.
Press contacts
NL Mental Care Group BV
Martin de Heer
CEO
+ 31 6 53 95 34 95
m.deheer@mentaalbeter.nl
Apax
Lauren Bardet
Communication Director
+ 33 1 53 65 01 35
lauren.bardet@apax.fr
