DQE, a pioneer in data quality management, has taken a significant leap forward by acquiring Capency, its foremost competitor on the French market. This strategic move not only consolidates DQE’s position as a market leader but also sets the stage for a new era of innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving data quality management (DQM) sector.
The Strategic Rationale Behind the Acquisition
The union of DQE and Capency combines two highly compatible entities, each with its own strengths. DQE brings cutting-edge technologies, strong international partnerships (e.g., Salesforce and Microsoft), and a proven track record of delivering value-added solutions to enhance marketing, sales, and business operations. Meanwhile, Capency adds a robust portfolio of complementary solutions, particularly in data enrichment, segmentation, and behavioural analysis, enabling businesses to maximize the value of their customer data.
Together, the new entity holds a commanding 30% share of the French market, processes over 1 billion data records annually, and is well-positioned to expand its footprint in international markets, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.
Vision for 2025:
The 2025 roadmap aims to transform DQE into the undisputed leader in DQM starting this year. Key pillars of this vision include:
- Innovation and R&D:
Leveraging combined resources to accelerate the development of advanced solutions, such as smart deduplication, real-time data validation, and enhanced AI capabilities. - Synergy and Integration:
Harmonizing operational structures, merging product catalogues, and promoting cross-selling opportunities. For instance, Capency’s behavioural segmentation tools and DQE’s ID Mobile solutions offer significant potential for mutual clients. - Global Expansion:
Strengthening the group’s international presence with tailored solutions that address regional market needs. The combined expertise in regulatory compliance and international addressing ensures a competitive edge in new territories.
Strengthened by Growth Investment
To support this vision and strategy, DQE is proud to announce a strategic minority equity investment from Verto. Verto is a French Growth Equity investor specializing in profitable and fast-growing tech SMEs. This strategic partnership with Verto provides the financial backing and expertise necessary to fuel DQE’s ambitious growth plans and further solidify its position as a leader in the DQM market.
Alexis Kemlin, Partner at Verto: “We are very pleased to have contributed to the merger of DQE and Capency, thereby creating the undisputed leader in client data quality software in France, and to support the development of the new group over the coming years, particularly by accelerating its international expansion. Together with the management team, we have already identified numerous levers for driving organic growth as well as potential international acquisitions. We were also impressed by the strong human dimension of this merger, led by Stéphane Donders, François Abella, and Eric Deneux.“
To successfully complete this operation, DQE received debt financing from Pictet AM and BPI France, as well as buy-side advice from Edmond de Rothschild, leveraging their expertises and close collaboration to assist DQE and Verto with their fundraising, acquisition, and financing initiatives. For the market analysis, assessment of growth potential, and validation of the go-to-market strategy, Accenture contributed its extensive experience and authority in the Data Quality Management (DQM) market, providing valuable insights and key performance indicators.
The Value Proposition for Clients
Customers will benefit greatly from this acquisition. The unified product suite provides a comprehensive, out-of-the-box offering that seamlessly integrates with leading platforms such as Salesforce, Azure, AWS, Cegid and Alibaba to address the Chinese market. Businesses can now access state-of-the-art solutions that not only enhance data reliability but also boost marketing ROI, reduce costs, and improve customer experiences.
Moreover, the group’s client-centric approach, underpinned by high retention rates (95%+), ensures continuity and trust. By focusing on scalable, user-friendly solutions, the combined entity is poised to meet the growing demands of digital transformation across industries.
A Sustainable Market Opportunity
The DQM market, valued at €1.4 billion in 2024, is projected to grow by over 8% annually, driven by digital transformation, regulatory pressures, and the exponential increase in data volumes. With its unmatched expertise, innovative solutions, and a clear strategic roadmap, the DQE-Capency alliance is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Capency marks a pivotal moment in DQE’s journey. As the combined entity embarks on this ambitious path, it promises to deliver unparalleled value to its clients while redefining the standards of data quality management. Together, with the support of Verto, DQE and Capency are not just shaping the future—they are leading it.