In a significant development within the cloud and hosting sectors, UK start-up Opus Origin has acquired WHD Event GmbH from Equivia Partners. This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for Opus Origin, positioning them as key players in organizing large-scale international events within these industries.
Acquisition details
The deal, for an undisclosed amount, brings a portfolio of renowned events under Opus Origin’s management. Formed by Stephen Brooks in 2019 following the sale of Mack Brooks to Reed, Opus Origin is led by former Contentive CEO Sandeep Saujani, non-executive director of Clarion Events Simon Kimble, and head of commercial development Sam Jennings.
WHD Event GmbH, based in Cologne, Germany, is best known for organizing CloudFest, one of the largest global events in the cloud and hosting industry. Annually attracting over 9,000 international visitors to Europa Park in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, CloudFest has maintained and even expanded its prominence post-pandemic.
Continuity and growth
Christian Jaeger, CEO of WHD Event GmbH, and his team will continue to lead the business, ensuring continuity and ongoing development. In addition to CloudFest, WHD Event GmbH organizes MSP Global, an event for managed service providers, which is set to take place at the Port Aventura theme park near Barcelona in October 2024 following a successful debut at the Nürburgring in 2023.
The acquired portfolio also includes NamesCon, one of the largest domain industry events, and CloudFest USA, both of which are held annually in the United States.
Equivia’s strategic exit
Equivia Partners, the previous owners, acquired the assets of CloudFest and NamesCon during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the challenging economic conditions, these events thrived under Equivia’s stewardship, expanding their reach and maintaining their status as leading industry gatherings.
“The investors behind Equivia had acquired the assets of the CloudFest and NamesCon 2021 events from the then owners in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and actively supported and expanded the events during and after the crisis. Despite the difficult economic conditions during the pandemic, the business performed better after the crisis than before,” stated Equivia Partners.
Mayfield Merger Strategies advised Equivia shareholders on this transaction.
Transformative growth in the cloud and hosting event space
This acquisition by Opus Origin not only signifies a strategic expansion for the start-up but also highlights the resilience and growth potential within the cloud and hosting event sectors. With experienced leadership and a solid portfolio of events, Opus Origin is poised to further innovate and expand these industry gatherings.
