Republica Oy, the forerunner of e- and m-business enabling technologies, seeks additional resources from Finlands leading private equity investor CapMan Capital Management Oy. The new capital will be directed towards ensuring Republicas rapid growth and international market entry as well as for promoting further product development efforts. After the investment, funds managed by CapMan will own one fourth of Republica.
Republicas X-Fetch product family facilitates integration between and within different IT systems (EAI, Enterprise Application Integration). Seamless data communication is a crucial element in building future e- and m- business enabled environments. X-Fetch product family utilises WWW and WAP browsers together with XML and agent-based technologies for real time data communication between customers, suppliers and other partners IT systems.
Republicas customers include system integrators, such as ICL Invia, TietoEnator and Iocore, and large end-user organisations, such as KONE Corporation and Valmet Corporation. The company seeks to expand its customer base into the fast-growing European market.
Republica employs some 50 professionals at its premises in Jyväskylä and Helsinki. Close relations with the academic world are valuable in keeping up with rapidly evolving technology trends, not to mention in facilitating recruiting of qualified personnel.
Rapid growth requires flexibility from Republicas young organisation. CEO Jouko Salonen states that near term challenges include strengthening the sales and marketing organisation as well as further developing companys consulting and implementation services. In addition, they will continue to invest heavily on product development; product development where efforts are geared towards further improving user friendliness and mobile features of the X Fetch product family.
CapMan has value-adding expertise in Republicas core business areas. The co-operation will give a strong basis for further development of the company, says Salonen. CapMans Investment Director Jari Talvinen concludes that Republicas advanced X-Fetch product family forms a solid base for successful growth and rapid internationalisation. Moreover, Republicas strong technology knowhow fits well together with our technology investment strategy.
