Verdane adds Hive Streaming and LiveArena to its software portfolio

Stockholm — Verdane Capital X (“Verdane”) has invested in the video delivery software companies Hive Streaming AB (“Hive”) and LiveArena Broadcast AB (“LiveArena”). The plan is to leverage Verdane’s advisory team’s track record and network in enterprise video delivery solutions to help both companies expand their business globally.

Video delivery software companies

Hive provides large enterprises such as Ericsson, Eastman, Axa Insurance and CapGemini with a unique P2P-based video distribution solution. This software-only service enables video and webcasting platforms, such as Microsoft Stream and PGi/TalkPoint, to scale live and on-demand video throughout the company without impacting the network. With the enterprise video distribution market growing at 20%, Hive is considered the technology leader in its space with over 100 patents granted. Since 2017, the company’s has grown from 13 to 60 clients.

“Hive Streaming is paving the way for increased enterprise video communication, which is increasingly a critical means of engaging employees and improving executive transparency. We are very excited to have a partner, in Verdane, who understands the challenges and opportunities of this market, comments Johan Ljungberg”, CEO, Hive Streaming.

LiveArena provides a fully automated, AI-based TV production software that allows users to produce high-quality productions without having to manually edit, cut and produce the content or manage the physical camera equipment. Key use cases are production of presentations, speeches and panel debates in conferences and meeting rooms in addition to applications in sporting events.

 

“We looked for an investment partner who would be able to roll up their sleeves together with our current owners and help us grow our business further. We hope to take LiveArena into a strong growth phase thanks to our products and services portfolio”, says Anders Nilsson, CEO, LiveArena.

Verdane’s ownership stake will amount to 50% in both companies. The investment comprises secondary shares and primary funding.

Hive and LiveArena join a roster of over 100 Verdane investments in software companies since 2003, with a track record and combined expertise that make Verdane one of the sector’s leading Nordic growth equity investors. Pål Malmros, partner and head of software investments at Verdane Capital Advisors, comments:

“Hive Streaming and LiveArena are a natural fit for Verdane. We grew Octoshape from a similar position to a global player, and there is a strong match between both our way of working and our proven ability to build and add value to the kinds of businesses that Anders and Johan run. I very much look forward to partnering with them going forward.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transaction.

Hive Streaming is paving the way for increased enterprise video communication, which is increasingly a critical means of engaging employees and improving executive transparency. We are very excited to have a partner, in Verdane, who understands the challenges and opportunities of this market.

About Verdane

Verdane funds provide flexible growth capital to fast-growing software, consumer internet, energy or high-technology industry businesses, through both majority and minority investments in individual companies and portfolios. Verdane funds act as ambitious, active and long-term owners, helping management teams and companies accelerate and sustain growth by leveraging the Verdane advisory team’s technology capabilities and proven track record in driving business value. Verdane funds’ current portfolio includes Babyshop, Boozt, Cool Company, Dapresy, EasyPark, Freespee, Inovia, inRiver and MatHem. Verdane Advisory Group has 38 employees working out of offices in Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, Oslo and Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.verdane.com

 

About Hive Streaming

Hive Streaming provides efficient and secure software-based video delivery solutions for organizations who embrace video in corporate communication. The Hive Streaming service enables enterprises to leverage their existing investment in hardware and software so their employees can view high-quality on-demand and live video on their own devices. Hive Streaming seamlessly integrates with leading enterprise video management and conferencing platforms. The company plays an integral role in the video delivery and networking infrastructure of Fortune 500 companies across the globe. Hive Streaming was founded and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, visit www.hivestreaming.com or follow @hivestreaming.

 

About LiveArena

LiveArena provides radically simple, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to create and deliver live and on-demand TV channels to any device, anywhere at any time. Our solutions are sized to fit the needs of every organization, from enterprise companies to small sport teams. We’ve spent more than 15 years on the cutting edge of media technology and deliver more than 30,000 live events around the world each year. Built entirely on Microsoft Azure and Azure Media Services, LiveArena content solutions are designed to take full advantage of Microsoft Azure’s global reach and resilient architecture. For more information, please visit www.livearena.com

Press contacts

Jonathan Bui, Communications Manager
Verdane
jonathan.bui@verdane.com
+46 76 27 28 100

Stephen Condon
Hive Streaming
stephen.condon@hivestreaming.com

Anders Nilsson, CEO
LiveArena
anders.nilsson@livearena.com