Smile Invest facilitates sale of minority stake in Microflor to Floré family

Smile Invest is pleased to announce the successful agreement with the Floré family for the acquisition of all shares of Microflor, a leading company active in breeding and propagation of tropical plants.  

Smile Invest became a minority shareholder in Microflor in 2019 when the company was carved out of the Floré Group. The family was looking for a partner with an entrepreneurial spirit and a good fit with the family values to foster strategic growth and long term value creation.

Amidst challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and energy crises, Microflor demonstrated resilience and adaptability, fortifying its market position and expanding propagation capacities in Slovakia. Moreover, the company's investments in innovative breeds underscore its commitment to pioneering advancements within the industry.

After almost five years of strong partnership with Smile Invest, Febe Floré will continue her tenure as CEO of Microflor alongside the management team. 

Febe Floré – CEO, Microflor
“In Smile Invest we found a trusted partner to accompany Microflor during a transformative period for our family business. After five years, Smile Invest leaves an independent Microflor with a clear focus and the ambition to remain the partner of choice for our customers. We look forward to continuing the journey and I hereby wish to thank all Microflor employees for their contribution and dedication to the Company so far.”
 
Thomas Dewever – Managing Partner, Smile Invest
“It has been a privilege to support Microflor over the past 5 years and work closely with Febe, the management team and the entire board of directors. We wish Microflor all the best as an independent, family owned business.” 

Microflor (www.microflor.com) 
Microflor is active in breeding and propagation of tropical plants with a focus on Phalaenopsis orchids. Over the past 30 years, Microflor has grown into a global top 3 player in breeding, propagation and acclimatization of orchids, the largest ornamental plant variety in the world. The company has unique expertise in in-vitro propagation and breeding technologies that resulted in an extensive proprietary plant genetics portfolio of over 160 commercially available varieties and over 1,000 varieties under development. The company is headquartered in Lochristi, Belgium, and operates state-of-the-art labs and production facilities in Belgium and Slovakia from which it delivers young plants across Europe and the Americas.

Smile Invest (www.smile-invest.com)
Smile Invest (Smart Money for Innovation Leaders) is a European evergreen investment firm with more than €500m of assets under management, financed by 40 entrepreneurial families and with a long-term focus on innovative growth companies. Smile Invest focuses on companies active in three investment themes: Digitalisation, Healthcare & Wellbeing and Environment. Since its inception in 2017 Smile Invest supported 16 companies in Belgium and the Netherlands. From its offices in Leuven and The Hague, the team supports ambitious entrepreneurs and management teams in realizing their growth plans.