Merkator 2 | Sofindev

Merkator

Business partners
Geert De Coensel & management
Equity stake
Majority
Entry
2023
Website

Merkator, originally founded in the Netherlands in 2008, expanded its activities to Belgium in 2011 with the creation of a Belgian entity and the arrival of current CEO Geert De Coensel. Under the motto: 'Safer streets & better networks', Merkator developed over the past decade into a leading player in geospatial solutions to better and more intelligently manage the networks and infrastructure of utilities, telecom companies and network operators. To this end, Merkator has developed proprietary software (Marlin) to create a digital twin of networks and combine it with geographic data so that its customers can manage their networks more effectively. In addition, it has also combined software and data in a solution (Eaglebe) that allows cities and towns to speed up and simplify the granting of permits for the use of public space.

Merkator 3 | Sofindev
Merkator 5 | Sofindev

In 2022, the Merkator Group was sensitively strengthened with the arrival of GIM and its subsidiary GIM Wallonie, itself a leading player in the development of geospatial software and professional services in Belgium. Like Merkator, GIM specializes in offering customized geo-solutions to governments, utilities and private companies. One of the solutions developed by GIM is Belmap, a digital twin solution that contains everything about buildings, addresses, plots of land and related topics in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Banks and insurance companies, utilities, logistics service providers and numerous companies in other sectors use this application, among other things, to digitize their risk management, better plan their networks and operations and make their prospecting and sales processes more efficient.

The joint plan

The combination of Merkator and GIM has created a powerhouse of geospatial knowledge and experience in Belgium and beyond. With its own offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the Middle East and over 180 geo-ict experts, the group is ideally positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities in its markets.

The joint plan is to create a magical geospatial triangle where software, data and services complement each other harmoniously to provide unique high-end services and solutions for public authorities, utilities, telecommunications and private sectors. This SDS triangle is critical in providing turnkey solutions. Software needs data and data needs software. By combining these with professional services that provide added value for its clients, a unique offering is created in the Benelux and by extension in a much wider international context. Through the partnership with Sofindev, Merkator Group wants to strengthen itself to continue and further accelerate its strong growth trajectory of the past years.

“Sofindev's decision to invest in the Merkator Group is a culmination of the exceptional path we have taken in recent years. At the same time, it also confirms the immense potential that the combination of our people, our technology and our data have to offer in this market.”

Geert De Coensel
CEO Merkator
Press release
Merkator Group and Sofindev join forces

Want to know more? Contact one of the experts who achieved this

Back to portfolio

A reliable partnership
focused on value creation

As a partner, we want to develop a relationship that rests on trust, respect, transparency, personal involvement, and commitment. That's how we operate, always. Together we create meaningful value for the companies, the entrepreneurs, our investors, but also for our environment and society.
Learn more about our investment strategy
SOFINDEV Corporate At Work 022 | Sofindev