French business software provider LumApps and Swiss workplace communications specialist Beekeeper have announced their merger, forming a new European unicorn valued at approximately $1.1 billion.
The deal, revealed on Wednesday, is set to complete within the month. It is backed by Bridgepoint, a British private equity firm that was previously a major shareholder in LumApps and will now hold a majority stake in the combined entity.
Combined Strengths for Office and Frontline Workers
The new company aims to become a dominant player in business software by merging LumApps’ intranet and digital workplace expertise with Beekeeper’s communications platform for frontline staff.
LumApps, headquartered in Lyon, France, is known for helping companies augment or even replace Microsoft’s SharePoint, with high-profile clients such as Airbus and luxury conglomerate LVMH.
“We are trying to augment or even replace products like Microsoft’s SharePoint,” said Elie Melois, LumApps' Chief Technology Officer.
Meanwhile, Beekeeper, founded by ETH Zurich graduates, has built a reputation for its app that connects non-desk employees to the wider organisation. Its clients include Swiss retailer Coop and Heathrow Airport.
Leadership and Integration Plans
The merged company will be headquartered in Lyon and led by LumApps CEO Sebastien Ricard. It will employ around 600 people globally.
Within six months of completing the merger, the company plans to launch a unified platform combining LumApps’ and Beekeeper’s technologies.
Beekeeper CEO Cristian Grossmann highlighted the company's global ambitions, stating:
“Midterm, an IPO or a trade sale are options. With the U.S. and Europe being our core markets, both would be great IPO venue candidates.”
Growth and Financial Outlook
Current combined annual revenue stands at around $150 million, with expectations to double to $300 million by 2030.
LumApps is already profitable, while Beekeeper plans to reach break-even this year. According to CTO Melois, the combined group will be profitable from day one.
A Rare European Unicorn
The merger stands out in the European tech landscape, where unicorns—private companies valued at over $1 billion—remain relatively rare compared to the United States and China.
By pooling their complementary strengths, LumApps and Beekeeper aim to address the full spectrum of employee communications—from office-based knowledge workers to frontline and operational staff—creating a single, integrated platform that companies can deploy at scale.
With strong backing from Bridgepoint and plans to expand across core markets in Europe and the U.S., the new entity positions itself as a formidable competitor in the global enterprise software space.