Acquired! From Poland to Spain: the way for S-Labs, a Polish IOT Company to be acquired by Fermax.
The journey from deep-tech innovation to a successful market exit is a complex process. For many companies, success depends on the right timing, a strong product, and a clear market strategy.
S-Labs after 10 years of continuous development and market adoption, Appartme has successfully established a new standard for residential building automation in Poland. Developed over a decade in close cooperation with developers and end users, the Appartme system combines comfort, safety, and measurable energy savings in a single, scalable solution for multi-family buildings.
With thousands of installations nationwide, Appartme has become a recognized benchmark for smart apartments, addressing the growing demand for energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and modern building management.
The Evolution of Sportstech
The success story of S-Labs, which resulted in the recent acquisition of the Polish tech company S-Labs (Apartme) by the Spanish Fermax, is a standout example of how international collaboration can create a bridge to global markets.
This acquisition is more than just a business deal: it is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration. At FundingBox, the team behind the programs that interacted with S-Labs is primarily composed of employees from Spain and Poland. This unique dual-country foundation makes us experts in international cooperation. We know from practical experience how fruitful these partnerships can be, and the S-Labs/Fermax success story is a perfect reflection of that synergy.
The exploitation catalyst: more than just funding
S-Labs (Apartme) has been a participant in the FundingBox ecosystem, a platform designed to provide businesses with the right blend of technical and investment support. S-Labs successfully leveraged a project within this ecosystem: Photonhub.
The focus was on early-stage preparation for potential investor discussions. Through the Photonhub Investment Readiness Coaching, S-Labs was able to further refine their commercial narrative, aligning their business model and value proposition with the expectations of strategic partners. This foundational work helped the team better navigate the complexities of the investment landscape and prepare for the due diligence process essential for acquisition talks.
The value of active support
The success of S-Labs proves that financial support alone is not enough. An acquisition requires the maturity and strategic positioning that comes from expert guidance. FundingBox, through its diverse portfolio of projects, specializes in providing this essential “business readiness”. The company’s leadership credited this support with accelerating their path to acquisition:
“The business mentoring we received through the FundingBox program helped us with early communication with an international potential investor.” — Agnieszka Suchanek, CFO, S-Labs
The story continues: Fermax’s global expansion
The acquisition of S-Labs was only the beginning of a larger growth story. Following a period of historic growth alongside MCH Private Equity and Eurazeo, Fermax has recently signed an exclusive agreement with Ardian to acquire a majority stake in the company. This new phase is aimed at accelerating international expansion and further consolidating Fermax’s technological leadership in the sector, supported by one of the world’s leading investment funds.
The takeaway for startups
The S-Labs acquisition serves as a clear blueprint: for startups receiving EU funding, the transition to a successful market exit depends on dedicated, professional business coaching. FundingBox offers this strategic partnership, providing the framework, the mentorship, and the network needed to navigate the complex waters of deep-tech commercialization and acquisition.
Companies interested in learning more about success stories like S-Labs, or exploring other beneficial projects and opportunities run by FundingBox, can find all information consolidated on the One Pass platform at: https://getonepass.eu/.
One Pass is the gateway to the FundingBox ecosystem, connecting ambitious deep-tech companies with a curated pipeline of relevant EU-funded acceleration programs, open calls, and investment readiness support.