SME Capital funds Enix web hosting acquisition

Enix is a UK based provider of web, email and cloud hosting services to individuals and small to medium sized businesses formed in 2006 by Elliot Pearse and Nick Webb (pictured below). The business has grown through a combination of organic growth and, more recently, strategic acquisitions, now serving a customer base of over 13,000.

The target company, Eco Web Hosting was established in 2014 by Rob Percival as a web hosting and online course provider. Their ‘Codestars’ courses have a web development, specifically coding focus and offer a free 12-month web hosting trial.

As the name suggests Eco Web Hosting are committed to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. For each hosting package purchased by customers, they plant trees through Eden Reforestation Projects. For employees they plant and sponsor other green projects across the globe through Ecologi, overall reducing carbon footprint through these projects by over 4,600 tonnes since starting.

SME Capital have agreed a loan of £1.6m to fund the acquisition. We provided a bespoke 5 year funding structure including a 6 month Capital Repayment Holiday and 40% lump sum bullet to allow time for the Enix team to digest the acquisition and ease cashflow in the early months.

Enix co-founder, Elliot Pearse said, “Enix are delighted to have worked with SME Capital to fund our latest acquisition, which has enabled us to grow our portfolio of brands in the web, email and cloud hosting sector. Eco Web Hosting will join our established brands such as HostPresto already providing hosting solutions to home users and small businesses.

Thanks to SME Capital's team and platform, their innovative approach to lending allowed us to move quickly to secure funding and complete our target acquisition within a tight timeframe.”

“SME Capital's expertise in the sector, coupled with a desire to work with us for the long term made it an easy choice, and we look forward to growing our business alongside them in the future.”

– Elliot Pearse, Co-Founder Enix

Enix were assisted by MHA Moore and Smalley, led by Andy Feeke and Phil Yarwood. Phil commented, “MHA Moore and Smalley are delighted to have assisted Elliot and Nick with Enix’s latest acquisition. We ran a highly competitive fund-raising process, which attracted lots of interest, and is testament to the business that Elliot and Nick have built.

SME Capital were able to offer Enix a funding structure that worked both for the immediate acquisition of Eco Web Hosting, but also supported their future growth plans. It was a pleasure to work with the team at SME Capital on this transaction, and we wish them and the Enix team all the best of success for the future.”

Stuart Watson, Regional Director at SME Capital said, “The management team at Enix impressed us with their sector expertise and the commercial rationale of this further acquisition which broadens their product range and market position. We look forward to further supporting Enix in this market.”

If you would like to discuss acquisitions in more detail or our wider funding capabilities do get in touch.