GEF Capital Partners and private shareholders have agreed to sell Automa to DNV
Automa
Founded in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2006 by Marcelo Ferreira, Evandro Oliveira and Gustavo Machado, Automa has become the leading technology provider of integrated solutions for monitoring, control and performance management for the utilities and renewables sector in Brazil. Automa’s solution portfolio includes SCADA platforms, operation-support tools and substation protection and control systems, with over 60 GW of renewable capacity under management and more than 200 substations controlled by its solutions in Brazil. Its solutions are offered to multi-technology power plants, including renewables (hydro, wind, solar and battery energy storage systems), as well as transmission and distribution grids—enabling Automa to act as a one-stop shop for its multi-source clients. In 2022, Automa welcomed a strategic investment from GEF Capital Partners, fueling its next growth phase, which included a three-fold increase in EBITDA, the strengthening of its governance structure, the launch of its international expansion with the opening of an office in Portugal and successfully deploying systems for solar plants in France, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Poland.
The Deal
Automa’s shareholders concluded that the company’s next growth cycle would be best pursued and accelerated alongside a partner with deep knowledge of international utility technology markets, building on Automa’s initial international expansion in Europe, where it had begun deploying its systems for solar plants. A competitive process led by Lincoln International’s cross-border team located in Brazil and the U.S. generated multiple bids from strategic and financial acquirers in Brazil and internationally, ultimately leading to the selection of DNV as the final buyer. Based in Høvik and older than Norway itself, DNV is one of world’s leaders in providing assurance and risk management services, with over $3.5 billion in revenue, 15,000 employees, operations in more than 100 countries and ownership of GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a provider of digital platforms for monitoring and managing renewable energy assets.
Lincoln International acted as exclusive financial advisor to Automa’s shareholders, supporting the sellers throughout all aspects of the transaction.
Our Perspective
Luiz Recchia, Managing Director of Lincoln’s São Paulo office, commented, “We are proud to have served as the exclusive financial advisor to Automa’s shareholders in this landmark transaction within Brazil’s energy technology industry. The deal highlights Lincoln’s ability to execute cross-border transactions through close collaboration between its global teams, combining strong local execution with deep sector expertise, a proven track record and longstanding relationships with key buyers. This approach created a competitive process with both domestic and international bidders and ultimately achieved the desired result for our clients. The transaction further demonstrates Lincoln’s expertise in advising private equity funds and represents its third deal with GEF in the energy transition space.”
Matt Kessler, Managing Director on Lincoln’s Technology team, commented, “This represents the fifth transaction Lincoln has completed within the renewable energy software and solutions space, which continues to consolidate. It was a real pleasure to work with GEF and Automa given the clear market leadership they have established in this category within South America.”
GEF Capital Partners (BR)
GEF Capital Partners is a premier global private equity firm focused on climate solutions investments. The firm invests across energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, and resource efficiency, partnering with market-leading platforms with long-term growth potential. GEF seeks to generate attractive financial returns while delivering positive environmental impact. With offices in the Washington, D.C., São Paulo and Mumbai, GEF Capital Partners invests primarily in the United States, Brazil and India, with selective exposure to neighboring markets. Its local presence supports disciplined sourcing, active ownership and value creation, seeking to enable both strong financial performance and measurable environmental outcomes.
DNV
Founded in 1864 and headquartered in Høvik, Norway, DNV is a leading global provider of risk management, technical assurance and quality certification services. The group operates through six business areas—Maritime, Energy Systems, Supply Chain & Product Assurance, Digital Solutions, Business Assurance and The Accelerator—supported by its digital platform Veracity, global shared services, research & development and a group center. Within its Energy Systems division, DNV owns GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a specialized subsidiary that provides digital platforms for monitoring and managing renewable energy assets. GPM enables utilities and independent power producers to optimize portfolio performance through advanced analytics and integrated, multi-technology, grid-connected management solutions. Key 2024 highlights include more than 100,000 customers, 15,000+ employees worldwide and a presence in 100+ countries.
Lincoln International’s cross-border team acted as true partners throughout the process. Their sector expertise, deep relationships with leaders in the industrial technology industry and thoughtful advice were instrumental in delivering this successful outcome.
Meet our Senior Team
My approach with our bankers and clients is to listen, pay attention to detail, anticipate and keep an eye on the big picture.
James Sinclair
Managing Director & Head of Brazil
São Paulo
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Any information or testimonials contained in this post may not be representative of the experience of other clients and is no guarantee of future performance or success.