Axcel
Axcel
ESG due diligence & impact assessment
In connection with Axcel’s acquisition of the Norwegian tech company Geomatikk Group from Hg, The Footprint Firm supported with the ESG and impact due diligence process to help ensuring the investment was aligned with sustainable practices and long-term value creation.
Geomatikk is a Nordic pioneer in infrastructure protection combining advanced detection services and proprietary software to safeguard networks including power lines, fibre, and water pipes during excavation and construction. The company works with asset owners, municipalities, and contractors across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Spain.
“The Footprint Firm delivered a thorough and high quality ESG due diligence that provided us with clear, actionable insights across risk, opportunity, and impact dimensions.”
- Sarah Hempel, Head of Sustainability at Axcel
Services
- Private equity servicesabout /services/private-equity-servicesPrivate equity services
Industries
- Private equity
The project
The ESG due diligence process included a thorough assessment of Geomatikk from a risk and opportunity perspective, as well as analysis of sustainability contributions and potential for revenue alignment to EU taxonomy and Axcel’s impact framework.
Our approach
The ESG DD work stream included development of high-level double materiality assessment, regulatory screening and Geomatikk’s exposure to upcoming regulations, analysis of key market drivers and competitive positioning relative to peers, as well as analysis of key market drivers. Also, a risk analysis was conducted to uncover key sustainability risks in own operations including assessment of main climate risks for key sites and in the downstream value chain. Finally, we identified key opportunities to increase impact and revenue under ownership.
The process included interviews as input for the analysis and close collaboration with other due diligence workstreams on legal, commercial and tech to ensure a consistent and integrated view of the investment opportunity.
The impact
The ESG due diligence provided Axcel with insights and documentation of risks, opportunities and alignment to key sustainability frameworks to inform the investment decision and roadmap for post-acquisition to ensure gap closing and ESG compliance as well as the prioritisation of sustainability value creation activities.
Testimonial
“The Footprint Firm delivered a thorough and high quality ESG due diligence that provided us with clear, actionable insights across risk, opportunity, and impact dimensions.”
- Sarah Hempel, Head of Sustainability at Axcel