ox8 Corporate Finance acted as exclusive advisor to the shareholders of BitterPower GmbH (“BitterLiebe”) on the majority sale to Vendis Capital.
BitterLiebe, based in Mannheim, is a leading direct-to-consumer premium health brand for gastrointestinal supplements in the DACH region. Andre Sierek and Jan Stratmann founded the company with the idea of using natural bitter substances as core ingredients for supplements addressing the increasing consumer demand for solutions around gut health and digestion.
In addition to bitter products in the form of drops, sprays, capsules and powder, the company offers complexes combining bitter substances with natural vitamins, minerals, or bacteria. BitterLiebe has successfully expanded distribution beyond its own web shop to offline channels and is now listed in over 6,000 point-of-sales in drugstores and food retailers.
Due to continuous product innovations and its multichannel distribution model, BitterLiebe has experienced strong growth. This positive development was additionally supported and promoted by the investment from ARCUS Capital from 2020 – ox8 Corporate Finance also acted as advisor to the shareholders at that time on the transaction.
Alexander Matthes, Partner at Vendis Capital, on the partnership: “We are very happy to partner with Andre and Jan and add BitterLiebe to our portfolio of consumer brands. It represents a fast growing, digital native and direct-to-consumer health brand with a clear positioning that supports consumers to solve their digestive problems. We see further growth opportunities in its existing home market leveraging its strong multichannel distribution model but also internationally to create the leading platform focused on digestion health supplements.”
The founders of BitterLiebe, Andre Sierek and Jan Stratmann, were equally confident: “We are thrilled to partner with Vendis Capital, a seasoned expert in the consumer space, as we accelerate BitterLiebe’s development and international growth. Together, we aim to establish the premier brand for digestive health supplements in Europe. The expertise of Vendis Capital in building brands, e-commerce and international roll-out will be instrumental to support our ambitious growth path.”
“Our heartfelt gratitude to ox8 Corporate Finance for their pivotal role in the successful transaction. Without the unwavering support, dedication, and expertise of the ox8 team, this deal would not have materialized.”
About BitterPower (www.bitterliebe.com)
BitterPower GmbH was founded in 2018 and is managed by the two founders Andre Sierek (CEO) and Jan Stratmann (COO). The fast-growing company offers nutritional supplements under the own “BitterLiebe” brand and is represented with its innovative products online as well as in more than 6,000 stores in stationary retail and teleshopping.
About Vendis Capital (www.vendiscapital.com)
Vendis Capital is a European private equity fund with over 20 years of experience that specializes in consumer goods companies and invests in profitable companies with revenues of between EUR 10 million and EUR 300 million.
About ox8 Corporate Finance (www.ox8-cf.com)
ox8 Corporate Finance is an independent corporate finance boutique founded in 2018 by experienced M&A specialists. Corporate finance advisory services are offered with a focus on M&A as well as Growth Capital in the Software/ Saas, Digital Commerce, Technology/ IT services and Healthcare sectors. The team has an excellent international network to financial investors and strategic buyers. ox8 Corporate Finance has offices in Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg.
