Carlyle has agreed to sell iC Consult to Bridgepoint Group
iC Consult GmbH
Founded by Jürgen Biermann in 1997 and headquartered in Munich, iC Consult is the world’s largest independent provider of enterprise-grade IAM and identity security services, supporting large enterprise clients across sectors including financial services, automotive, manufacturing and the public sector. With more than 850 experts across Europe, North America and Asia, the company provides end-to-end identity security programs, helping organizations secure access to mission-critical systems, applications and data. Since Carlyle’s investment in 2021, iC Consult has significantly scaled its international footprint, delivering ~20% annual growth in Europe between 2020 and 2025 and expanding its presence in the U.S.
The Deal
Bridgepoint has agreed to acquire a majority stake in iC Consult from Carlyle and the founder and CEO Jürgen Biermann, who together with the management team, will remain invested alongside the new majority shareholder. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to complete in Q3 2026. Under Bridgepoint’s ownership, the investment thesis is expected to focus on accelerating international expansion, strengthening managed services, investing in AI-enabled capabilities and pursuing selective mergers and acquisitions to build a scaled global identity security platform.
Our Perspective
“We are pleased to have supported Carlyle on this transaction, which marks an important milestone in iC Consult’s development into a leading global identity security platform,” said Harald Mährle and Marvin Maerz, Managing Directors at Lincoln International. “iC Consult combines strong technical expertise with an increasingly international platform in a market that continues to see sustained demand. Carlyle has successfully supported the company’s expansion over the past years. Building on this foundation, Bridgepoint is well-positioned to support the next phase of growth and further scale the business. Transactions like this reflect our continued focus on advising high-quality technology assets.”
Carlyle Technology Partners
Carlyle invested in iC Consult in January 2021 through Carlyle Europe Technology Partners and supported the company’s transformation from a leading DACH IAM specialist into a broader international identity security platform. During Carlyle’s ownership, iC Consult expanded its European business, entered the U.S. market and strengthened its group proposition across specialist IAM capabilities, culminating in a full exit to Bridgepoint.
Bridgepoint
Bridgepoint is one of the world’s leading middle market investors, with approximately $98 billion of assets under management and a strong local presence across Europe, North America and Asia. The acquisition of iC Consult builds on Bridgepoint’s track record in technology and cybersecurity services, including prior investments in specialist platforms including Infinigate and DataExpert, and positions the firm to support iC Consult’s next phase of international growth, service portfolio evolution and platform consolidation.
Meet our Senior Team
I lead with an entrepreneurial mindset and serve as a trusted advisor to our clients, delivering deep process and sector expertise to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Harald Mährle
Managing Director & Global Co-Head, Technology
Munich
I foster relationships and gain a deep understanding of market dynamics to achieve success on behalf of my clients.
Gabriel Englebert
Managing Director & Head of Belgium*
Brussels
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