Aqua Expeditions Sells Majority Stake to Ponant

Technology & Services

Aqua Expeditions, a portfolio company of Bison Capital, sale of majority stake to Ponant, a subsidiary of Artémis


Summary

Aqua Expeditions PTE. LTD. ("Aqua Expeditions” or the "Company”), a portfolio company of Bison Capital Partners V, LP ("Bison Capital"), has announced the sale of majority stake to Ponant Explorations Group ("Ponant”), a subsidiary of Artémis Group ("Artémis”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This strategic acquisition by Ponant, backed by Artémis, will empower Aqua Expeditions to continue expanding its footprint globally and enabling the Company’s growth as a destination specialist. Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and Founder, will remain as a shareholder, and along with his senior management team, will continue to lead the company as a stand-alone business unit, continuing to operate under the brand name "Aqua Expeditions".

Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to Aqua Expeditions on this transaction.

About

A recognized global leader in luxury small-ship expeditions, Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations aboard best-in-class vessels of stylish contemporary design. Expect tailored five-star itineraries, a highly exclusive 1:1 crew- to-guest ratio with personalized service, world-class dining and small group expert-guided activities and excursions, with a maximum of 16-40 guests per ship. Aqua Expeditions currently operates river explorations in the Peruvian Amazon and the Mekong Delta (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages in East Indonesia — Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and Asmat — and the Galapagos Islands. Aqua Expeditions is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore.

Bison Capital is a private equity firm that makes growth capital investments in middle‐market companies, public or private, for expansion, acquisitions and balance sheet recapitalizations. The firm’s primary investment focus is partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams seeking capital to grow their businesses. Bison Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Explore to Inspire: explore to better understand, learn, share and protect. Ponant has been committed to more responsible tourism and purposeful voyages of exploration for over 35 years. Aboard a fleet of 14 French-flagged small ships, fitted with the latest environmental technologies, the journey of exploration is always elegant, authentic and inspiring. Ponant is headquartered in Marseille, France.

Artémis was founded in 1992 by French entrepreneur François Pinault. Artémis is a holding company which manages a range of companies and holds shares in various sectors, in France and abroad. For over 20 years, Artémis has been the controlling shareholder of global luxury group Kering. Artémis also owns Christie's, the worldwide leading auction house, Artémis Domaines with several exclusive wine estates including Château Latour and Clos de Tart, Pinault collection as the largest collection of contemporary art in the world and holds several other key assets such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, and Ponant, a world leader in cruise expeditions. It is also a significant shareholder of the sports brand Puma. As a professional shareholder, Artémis is focused on long-term growth and shareholder value creation, while remaining on the watch for new investment opportunities. Artémis' consolidated assets exceed €60 billion. Artémis is headquartered in Paris, France.


CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE
Technology & Services

Aqua Expeditions, a portfolio company of Bison Capital, sale of majority stake to Ponant, a subsidiary of Artémis

Date
January 2025
Company
Aqua Expeditions PTE. LTD.
Transaction
M&A - Sellside
Sectors
Technology & Services
Verticals
Travel, Leisure & Hospitality
Target Geography
Asia
Acquiror Geography
Europe

Share