Italian TV production and animation content creator Rainbow Group has announced that it has gained investment from TEC Movie, an independent vehicle established as part of The Equity Club (TEC), a club deal initiative promoted by Roberto Ferraresi and Filippo Penatti, operating on behalf of a group of Mediobanca's ultra-high net worth clients. The deal was brokered by Mattia Mor. The partnership will see TEC Movie invest approximately 90 million euros in Rainbow resulting in TEC Movie becoming a significant minority stakeholder in the business. The deal marks a strategic move for Rainbow to further consolidate its position as a leading Italian TV production and animation house with a view to future global growth.
Established in 1995 by Iginio Straffi, Rainbow is Italy’s leading international entertainment and animation company, able to compete with industry giants. With a library of globally successful IP such as "Winx Club" and "Mermaid Magic," as well as international live-action films such as "The Tearsmith" and "My Name is Vendetta."
The announcement will help fund a pipeline of important investments that Rainbow intends to make in the coming years. These investments will see Rainbow strengthen its existing IP library as well as develop and acquire new international IP as it seeks to consolidate the group’s role as an innovator in the entertainment sector and bolster its presence in global markets.
Iginio Straffi, founder and CEO of Rainbow Group, hailed the partnership as “A decisive step for the future of Rainbow” and added: “We are thrilled to welcome The Equity Club as new partner to support our growth strategy. This deal will allow us to make important investments, develop new shows and continue to bring the talent and creativity of Made in Italy to the world. Since our inception, we have worked to grow Rainbow as a paragon of Italian excellence on the global stage, focusing on innovation, quality and the ability to create authentic emotional connections with audiences.”
Filippo Penatti, co-CEO TEC, stated: “We are pleased to establish a new partnership with a visionary entrepreneur like Iginio Straffi and with the whole Rainbow Group, sharing its strategic goals and ambitious future of organic and acquisitive growth. Rainbow represents Italian excellence with an international standing in the field of animation and media content.”
Roberto Ferraresi, co-CEO TEC, commented: “Our partnership with Rainbow marks the second investment promoted through TEC 2, following our previous one with Club del Sole completed last May. The investment represents an important milestone reached just six months after the official launch of the new initiative and fits perfectly with TEC 2's goal of supporting the ambitious growth projects of Italian companies, putting the entrepreneur at the center and supporting them with the team's expertise for international development.”
As a result of the deal with TEC Movie, Rainbow Group is looking to consolidate its international leadership and exploring strategic M&A transactions involving both major IP and companies in Italy and worldwide that share synergies with the group.