Jean-Mathieu started in M&A at Société Générale before focusing on private equity with different teams. In 30 years, Jean-Mathieu has supported more than 70 companies with a common thread: innovation and international growth.
Ten years ago, Jean-Mathieu became convinced of the critical role internal expansion plays in a company’s development and viability, creating the first fund for French exporting firms, or firms that want to export. Capital Export combines equity, grants and subsidies, expertise, and local networks and partners to directly meet the needs of business owners and managers with a strategy centered around international expansion.
After working in R&D at Groupe Renault for 3 years, Michel spent 7 years at Entrepreneur Invest, where he helped originate, structure, and support more than 20 expansion capital and LBO transactions, with a focus on innovative companies with distinctive expertise.
Michel joined Capital Export in 2017, after a rewarding experience as the General Manager of an export-based industrial SME. He offers both his investment experience and extensive knowledge of distinctive French companies that are key to Capital Export’s mission.
Michel is a graduate of ESSEC and ESTACA.
Fogale Sensors
French experts in high-precision metrology
Fogale Sensors, based in Nîmes, France, offers capacitive metrology technology that emerged from applied research conducted in major public French labs. These technologies, which Fogale Sensors has produced for more than 20 years, are mainly used to conduct very high-precision dimensional and vibration measurements. No other technology can compare to the standards and performance of Fogale Sensors.
It boasts a wide range of applications, mainly in medical equipment, turbomachinery (energy plants and turbo reactors), and ultra-precise positioning (giant telescopes, satellites, etc.). Other applications include industrial and consumer robotics, which have become a priority for Fogale Sensors in the coming years given their commercial promise.
The management team that has been in place for several years took over the company with Capital Export’s support to accelerate its commercial and international development. Capital Export has provided access to its extensive network in the main global markets to support Fogale Sensors’ growth, particularly in Asia and the USA. The company has already started approaching targets, namely in the US, as part of its selective acquisition strategy, which is a pillar of its development.
“The entire team was impressed by Capital Export’s support and the export performances of the SMEs they work with. I’m pleased to embark on this new adventure together and I’m convinced that we’ll accomplish great things in the coming years.”
“Fogale Sensors is a perfect example of the kind of French B2B ‘gem’ that we love to support. France boasts an outstanding pool of ‘champion’ SMEs that are often low-profile and even overlooked. This company and its management have exceptional scientific, technological, and industrial expertise in a growing niche market with very high barriers to entry and excellent international potential. We were won over by the tight-knit and seasoned management team that is driven by an innovative spirit and winning mindset. Since Fogale Sensors is always on the lookout for breakthroughs to meet future needs, we believe they have excellent growth potential.”
