PRESS RELEASE

Triple Private Equity (“Triple") is pleased to announce that we have signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in SmartSearch (the “Transaction”).

SmartSearch is a leading UK provider of digital compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) software to more than 7,000 clients across regulated verticals. SmartSearch’s fully configurable, end-to-end platform is embedded in mission critical client workflows and offers an end to end compliance solution. The Company’s core client base comprises SME and mid-market clients within the legal, accountancy, property and financial services sectors, with significant future growth potential from higher-value enterprise clients. SmartSearch was founded in 2011 and is a founder-owned business backed by Marlin Equity Partners.

The Transaction marks the first investment made by Triple’s inaugural Fund I, which is focused on investing in mission critical vertical software and data B2B businesses headquartered in the UK and Nordic Region.

Triple has deep domain expertise in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (“GRC”), and a differentiated approach to partnering with companies. Triple was founded by Mads Hansen and Ben Shepherd, both of whom have significant and complimentary skill sets and experiences across blue-chip software and data businesses, investing & corporate advisory, tech & ops, and partnering with executive teams.

Triple’s core team and advisers will be partnering with SmartSearch management to deliver on the Company’s next stage of growth by harnessing their deep knowledge of Financial GRC data, and network of talent and partners. Post-transaction, Triple envisages focusing on the organic growth of the Company, concentrating on commercial excellence, growth in enterprise clients, and sourcing of key partnerships. The team also plans to identify and evaluate inorganic opportunities in the UK to drive scale in SmartSearch’s core and adjacent markets.

Mads Hansen, Head of Investments and Managing & Founding Partner, Triple, said:

“We are pleased to announce Triple Private Equity’s first investment in SmartSearch. SmartSearch is a market leader in GRC in the UK, a key investment space for Triple. The company has shown consistent growth and profitability and provides a high-quality software platform for its clients. We look forward to partnering with the Smartsearch team to pursue the Company’s next stage of growth”

Ben Shepherd, Head of Value Creation and Founding Partner, Triple, said:

“We are excited to partner with Smartsearch, its exceptional team and clients to continue their strong growth and quality products and services.  Leveraging Triple's expertise and network, we are confident in our ability to support Smartsearch’s growth opportunity as the leading UK compliance platform”.

The acquisition will be funded from new capital committed to Triple Private Equity Fund I SCSp and Triple Solace Co-Invest SCSp, with Smartsearch founders and existing shareholders also retaining a minority in the Company. The deal is expected to close in April 2024, subject to final commitments and approvals.

Evercore is acting as sole financial and debt adviser to Triple, Skadden as legal adviser, Oliver Wyman as commercial adviser, and KPMG as financial and tax adviser in relation to the Transaction.

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For further information, please contact:

Triple Private Equity

Mads Hansen

Managing & Founding Partner

M: +44 7557 973 700

mads.hansen@triple.pe

Ben Shepherd

Founding Partner

M: +44 7968 255 242

ben.shepherd@triple.pe