A Busy October for H.I.G. Capital: Multi-Sector Investments Reflecting Market Agility

As global markets continue to present both challenges and opportunities, H.I.G. Capital, the Miami-based alternative investment powerhouse, has launched a series of strategic moves that underscore its agility and foresight. With $65 billion of capital under management, H.I.G. has long been known for its diverse investment approach. However, the firm's activities in October 2024 paint a picture of a company not just participating in market trends but actively shaping them.

In just over a week, H.I.G. Capital has made significant strides in four distinct sectors: content production, aviation services, data center infrastructure, and software investment. These moves reflect a carefully calibrated strategy that balances risk across industries while positioning the firm to capitalize on emerging technology, entertainment, and infrastructure trends.

As we delve into the details of each investment, a pattern emerges of a firm deeply committed to fueling innovation and growth across borders and industries. H.I.G.'s October activities are a microcosm of the more significant shifts occurring in the global investment landscape, where technological integration and changing consumer behaviors are increasingly blurring the lines between traditional sector boundaries.

Content Production Hub Expansion

H.I.G. Capital's first major announcement of the month came on October 9, with the completion of an ambitious project in the heart of Spain's entertainment industry. Madrid Content City (MCC), a sprawling 140,000 square meter content production hub, stands as a testament to H.I.G.'s commitment to the burgeoning demand for high-quality media content.

This state-of-the-art facility is more than just a collection of soundstages. MCC offers a comprehensive ecosystem for content creation, including:

• Cutting-edge production and post-production facilities
• A university focused on media studies, fostering the next generation of industry talent
• Integrated audiovisual services to support all aspects of content creation

MCC's strategic importance is underscored by its multinational tenant lineup, which is secured with long-term leases. This not only ensures a steady revenue stream but also positions MCC as a leading content production hub in continental Europe.

Building on this success, H.I.G. has already set its sights on expansion. The firm announced the completion of its initial investment in Sevilla Content City (S.C.C.), marking the beginning of a new phase in its content production strategy. S.C.C., while more modest in scale, offers:

• 4,000 square meters of production and post-production studios
• A generous backlot for location filming, providing versatility for various production needs

Riccardo Dallolio, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Realty in Europe, emphasized the significance of these projects, stating, "The successful completion of MCC reflects an important milestone for H.I.G. Realty's strategy in Europe. We are excited to continue expanding this platform and benefitting from strong secular tailwinds relating to content production."

This expansion into Seville demonstrates H.I.G.'s confidence in the continued growth of the content production industry and its commitment to establishing a network of production hubs across strategic locations in Europe.

Aviation Services Investment

H.I.G. Capital's strategic moves in October extended beyond the entertainment industry. On October 8, the firm announced a significant equity investment in S.T.S. Aviation Group, a leading player in global aviation services. This move marks H.I.G.'s entry into a sector that, despite recent challenges, remains critical to global commerce and transportation.

S.T.S. Aviation Group, founded in 1984, has established itself as a comprehensive service provider to the aviation industry. The Company's portfolio includes:

• Aircraft base and line maintenance
• Interior solutions for aircraft
• Aerospace engineering services
• Aircraft repairs and modifications
• Parts sales and global distribution
• Workforce management solutions

With headquarters in Jensen Beach, Florida, S.T.S. has a global footprint that includes:

• Four state-of-the-art aircraft hangars
• Two aircraft interior modification facilities
• Over 45 line maintenance stations across North America and the United Kingdom

This extensive network positions S.T.S. as a key player in meeting the maintenance and operational needs of airlines, aircraft lessors, and military organizations worldwide.

P.J. Anson, C.E.O. of S.T.S. Aviation Group, will continue to lead the Company along with the current executive team. Anson expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "With H.I.G.'s extensive resources and experience, we are well-positioned to execute our strategic growth plans, expand our global presence, enhance our aircraft service offerings, pursue add-on acquisitions, and continue providing innovative, high-quality solutions to our customers."

Matt Gullen, Managing Director at H.I.G., highlighted the strategic rationale behind the investment: "S.T.S. has established itself as a leader in the industry through its dedication to providing high-quality and reliable service through a highly skilled technical workforce and best-in-class leadership team. We look forward to working with the Company to build upon their success and support the many growth initiatives ahead."

This investment in S.T.S. Aviation Group not only diversifies H.I.G.'s portfolio but also positions the firm to capitalize on the global aviation industry's ongoing recovery and future growth.

Data Center Infrastructure Acquisition

In a move that underscores H.I.G. Capital's recognition of the critical role of digital infrastructure in the modern economy, the firm announced on October 7 its acquisition of a controlling interest in PolarDC Group Limited. This strategic investment places H.I.G. at the forefront of the rapidly expanding data center market, particularly in high-performance computing (HPC) applications.

Polar specializes in developing, owning, and operating data center infrastructure tailored to HPC needs. The Company's flagship project in Norway showcases its commitment to both performance and sustainability:

• Up to 48MW of capacity when fully operational
• Powered by 100% renewable, hydroelectric energy
• Designed for optimal Power Usage Effectiveness, leveraging Norway's naturally cooler climate
• Employs a modular design architecture for scalability and efficiency

Notably, 100% of this facility's initial capacity has already been pre-sold, indicating strong market demand for Polar's offerings.

Beyond the Norwegian facility, Polar is actively developing several other data center projects across Europe. This expansion pipeline and H.I.G.'s investment position the Company to meet the surging demand for data processing capabilities driven by artificial intelligence and other compute-intensive applications.

Andy Hayes, Polar's C.E.O., expressed optimism about the partnership: "We are delighted to partner with H.I.G. to develop our pipeline of projects. H.I.G.'s investment in the Company, combined with its track record of supporting high-growth, early-stage companies, will allow Polar to benefit from the rapid development of artificial intelligence."

Andrew Liau, Co-Head of H.I.G. Infrastructure, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: "Data center infrastructure is becoming an increasingly critical enabler of the next wave of digital transformation. We look forward to working with Polar's highly respected management team and our co-investor, LIAN Group, by bringing H.I.G.'s extensive capabilities and relationships to support the Company's growth."

This investment in Polar expands H.I.G.'s footprint in the infrastructure sector and aligns the firm with the growing trend toward sustainable and high-performance computing solutions.

Recognition in Software Investment

H.I.G. Capital received industry recognition for its expertise in software investment. On October 2, Ross Hiatt, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Growth Partners, was named to GrowthCap's list of Top Software Investors for the second consecutive year.

This accolade highlights Hiatt's over two decades of experience in the software industry and underscores H.I.G.'s position as a leader in growth equity investments. Hiatt's portfolio spans a diverse range of software sectors, including:

• eCommerce
• Fintech
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Enterprise technology

GrowthCap's recognition noted that Hiatt's breadth of expertise and operational acumen sets him apart as a unique leader in the growth equity space. This award follows other recent honors received by H.I.G. and its professionals, including:

• "Top Private Equity Firms of 2024" by GrowthCap
• Two individuals included in the "2023 Top 40 Under 40 Growth Investors" list by GrowthCap

Reflecting on the award, Hiatt said, "The software and technology space continues to be one of the most exciting and dynamic areas in the market, and I look forward to partnering with visionary companies to help drive innovation and growth. Our team remains committed to delivering strong results for our L.P.s by strategically deploying capital and unlocking value in this evolving sector."