Philippe Bruneau and Frédéric Levy, the founders of Biocyte, are among the pioneers of the nutricosmetics market and today of nutrilongevity. Since 2006, they have been committed to the three main areas of anti-aging: beauty, slimming and longevity. The company's strategic positioning is based on a complete range of 150 products, the result of a scientific approach to permanent innovation, which is the company's DNA. The sourcing and selection of new ingredients as well as the definition of the best galenic form are the basis of this innovation. Biocyte has become a reference brand - 8 years of awards, including the Victoires de la beauté - through its differentiation strategy based, among other things, on the quality of active ingredients for perfect product effectiveness, validated by clinical tests.
To support the very strong growth of recent years, +50% in 2018 including 35% internationally, for an expected turnover of €20M, Philippe Bruneau and Frédéric Levy have chosen to open their capital in a minority way to regional financial investors.
Biocyte's founders were attracted by the regional investors Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Investissement, managed by Turenne Capital, and Sofipaca, and their ability to support the next steps in the company's development.
Now dedicated to Venture Capital but also to Private Equity (with an envelope of €80 million for tickets ranging from €200 to €2,000,000), Région Sud Investissement, the investment fund of the Southern Region managed by Turenne Capital, financed by ERDF funds (European Regional Development Funds), is thus carrying out its first development capital operation with Biocyte.
With more than 40 employees and leading regional, national and international partners, as well as financial investors, Biocyte now has the means to accelerate its development and confirm its leadership position.
Philippe Bruneau and Frédéric Lévy, President and CEO, Biocyte, explain: "We wanted to open our capital to finance the development of Biocyte Laboratory. The PACA region appeared to us as the ideal partner. Sofipaca and Turenne Capital, two solid local players, had the best understanding of our international growth objectives. Our mutual understanding and their willingness to support the dynamism of a local company's activity, confirmed our choice.
Marie Desportes, Managing Partner, Turenne Capital, added: "As pioneers in the food supplement industry, Biocyte's management team has succeeded in conquering the nutricosmetics market thanks to a high-quality, differentiated offering. We are proud to take part in Biocyte's development and to accompany the company in its growth.
Alexandre Flageul, Managing Director, Sofipaca, said: "We were impressed by Biocyte's track record of growth, profitability, international development, product innovation, etc. We are delighted to be able to support its shareholder managers in their project to develop this brand.
