Milestone was instrumental in raising more than €150 million of equity and debt funding over 8 years as well as helping drive the strategy and growth and win new business Guy Willner, Co-founder
IX Europe is a data centre solutions provider supporting the hardware and systems of more than 800 institutions including leading banks, corporates and systems integrators.
Milestone became involved with IX Europe soon after the firm’s inception as the co-founders sought advice on an ambitious roll out plan. Milestone worked closely with management to formulate a business plan based upon making selective acquisitions and strong organic growth through new-build sites. During 8 years, a total of 14 data centres were built across the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland during and after the internet boom.
The company survived the internet dip of 2002-3 because growth was largely financed through equity capital rather than debt. This was a complicated, fast growth build-up with several rounds of funding raising more than €100m of equity and an IPO, before its eventual sale to a US trade buyer in 2007. Milestone led the financing and co-investment activity and remained an active board member and shareholder after the IPO, until the exit.
