Crédit Agricole Private Equity invests in Netzoptiker

For immediate release – October 11, 2010

Crédit Agricole Private Equity invests €1.3 million in Netzoptiker.de, a leading, pioneering German online eyewear retailer. This financing round also marks another joint project with successful Berlin seed investor Rocket Internet GmbH.

Netzoptiker.de offers a complete range of glasses, corrective lenses and contact lenses. Consistently streamlined processes and cost-efficient procurement have enabled this online eyewear provider to charge up to 60% less than brick-and-mortar optical shops.

At the same time, cutting-edge technology such as virtual try-on, individually crafted spectacles and competent advisory service have made Netzoptiker.de much more than an ordinary online mail order house. Even a product as inherently challenging to produce and sell as tailored, high-quality varifocal glasses can now also be ordered on online, offering customers a highly attractive alternative.

Netzoptiker.de places a premium on building truly professional teams of state-certified opticians. Lenses are painstakingly made to prescription in the company’s own workshop, so customers can be sure they are getting nothing but the best.

“We are convinced that there is tremendous medium-term potential for online eyewear sales,” says Christian Claussen, Senior Partner within Crédit Agricole Private Equity’s Venture Capital team. “In Germany alone, over ten million pairs of spectacles are sold every year — with a growing percentage marketed over the Internet. But successful online retailers offer customers more than just standard products at lower prices. With their service culture based on top-quality optical expertise and their move into new offers such as virtual try-on, the people at Netzoptiker.de won us over. And given the competitive strengths they have demonstrated, we are pleased to be actively supporting their further business growth with our investment.”

Investor
Christian Claussen, Senior Partner, Venture Capital, Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Xavier Brunaud, Associate, Crédit Agricole Private Equity

Counsels
Crédit Agricole Private Equity: Jan-Peter Heyer (BMH Bräutigam & Partner, Berlin)
Rocket Internet and Netzoptiker: Dr. Sascha Leske (Noerr LLP, Berlin)

About Crédit Agricole Private Equity

Crédit Agricole Private Equity is an AMF-accredited asset-management subsidiary of Crédit Agricole, specialising in direct private-equity investment in non-listed companies.
A multi-specialist player, Crédit Agricole Private Equity’s team of 95 professionals manages €3 billion with specific expertise in LBO & Expansion, Venture Capital, Mezzanine, Co-Investment, Renewable Energy and PPP Infrastructure. The 12-strong venture capital team manages €430 million through FCPIs invested in young companies with high growth potential in 2 sectors: information technology and life sciences.
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has signed up to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). A committed shareholder, Crédit Agricole Private Equity provides the best possible support for businesses and delivers sustainable performance to its investors.

www-rec.omnescapital.com

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