GROW YOUR FUTURE
Creadev is the investment company created in 2002 by the mulliez family (decathlon, leroy merlin, auchan...)
For and with the Mulliez Family ecosystem, we collaborate with visionary entrepreneurs by investing in and supporting the long-term growth of impactful regional leaders, facilitating access to essential goods & services for the many (Food, Health, Climate), thanks to innovative and sustainable solutions.
Each year, we invest up to €250M to accelerate the growth of 5 to 10 companies with a positive impact in North America, Europe and Africa (€ 2.6B invested to date)
INVESTING WHERE IT MATTERS
FOOD
We support companies providing healthy food for all, operating across the entire value chain
talent
We support solutions that give learners the skills needed for inclusive growth across the continent, from early learning to tertiary education
HEALTHCARE
We partner with entrepreneurs to expand access to healthcare through primary care, pharmaceuticals, optical solutions, telemedicine, diagnostics and more
ClimatE
We support practical solutions to the primary challenges of ecological transition: clean mobility, upcycling, recycling, and decarbonization and more
We invest in the champions of tomorrow
Our Ambition: supporting companies to become leaders in their respective sectors
Our Selection Criteria :
Business Profile
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Access to essential goods and services for the many: food, health, talent, climate
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Revenues > $5 million and positive EBITDA
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Ability to scale profitably
Founder / CEO
& Team
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Visionary leader with proven execution capabilities and capex-efficent mindset
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Leader with skin-in-the-game through straight equity & long-term incentives
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Complementary, local management team
Transaction
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Growth capital
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Creadev $10-30 million primo-invest + significant influence to drive change
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Ability to reinvest over time
Impact & Mulliez
Family
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Desire to create links within the Mulliez family ecosystem
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Alignment with Creadev’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Openness to robust governance processes
THE mulliez FAMILY
A SHARED PURPOSE
1904 : It all began in Roubaix. Louis Mulliez, a worker’s son turned industrialist, founded a small twisting mill.
1920 : He encouraged his relatives to start their own companies—on one condition : that they all become mutual shareholders.
1955 : This principle, later called “All in All”, became the foundation of the Mulliez Family Association, a unique model based on solidarity, long-term commitment, and collective entrepreneurship.
Since then, the family has created or supported over 150 companies in 62 countries, employing more than 615,000 people. Today, 1,590 family members, including over 890 shareholders, carry this entrepreneurial legacy.
2002 : Creation of Creadev, to propel companies such as Maisons de Famille, Voltalia, and Foundever to leadership positions in their sectors.
Our companies.
THEY MOVE THE WORLD, WE SUPPORT THEM.
THEY GREW WITH US
"CREADEV’s partnership has enabled the company to embark on its next frontier of growth and impact."
Joe Rehmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Victory Group
"CREADEV’s support and robust engagement over the years has contributed to shaping the business we have today"
Stacey Brewer (Chairperson and Co-Founder of Spark Schools) & Earl Sampson (CEO of Spark Schools)
"CREADEV has been a trusted partner bringing long-term perspective, strategic clarity and a shared commitment to building resilient health systems in Africa."
Priscilla Muhiu, Group Deputy CEO of MyDawa Group
"With CREADEV, we found much more than an investor."
Robert Dardanne, founder of Voltalia
"CREADEV helped us grow the right way, not just faster, but stronger"
Jeff Appelbaum, CEO of Salted
A FAMILY THAT INVESTS WITH AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
At Creadev, the capital we invest belongs to people who have created, grown, and handed over businesses for generations. The Mulliez family has brought to life major brands such as Decathlon, Leroy Merlin, Kiabi, and Boulanger.
To imagine, to take risks, to build—we know what entrepreneurship means! We bring that experience into every partnership we form.
We provide entrepreneurs with :
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Financial resources for sustainable growth,
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Genuine connections,
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Operational expertise,
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Access to a global ecosystem of top experts,
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And a long-term perspective, potentially integrating within the family ecosystem.
THIS IS WHY WE INVEST DIFFERENTLY.
Pierre Fauvet
MY JOB :
I have been leading the Creadev Africa team since its creation in 2017.
WHY I'M HERE :
Generating real impact by combining Growth Equity and an evergreen approach, to promote access to essential goods and services for the many in Africa: quality food, education, health, sustainable solutions…
MY BACKGROUND :
Born and raised in Paris in a family of 7 children. 18 years of experience in strategy and investment consulting, including 14 spent in Africa: Lagos, Abidjan, Johannesburg, Nairobi…
Meet entrepreneurs who are changing things, explore Africa and sail as soon as possible.
Going around in circles.
Dennis Thuo
MY JOB :
At Creadev Africa, I partner with ambitious entrepreneurs to build and scale impact-driven businesses, improving access to essential goods and services across the continent.
WHY I'M HERE :
To back businesses that drive Africa’s long-term economic and social transformation – doing well while doing good.
MY BACKGROUND :
From Kenya, with 10 years experience working across private equity and portfolio management in diverse sectors before joining Creadev...
Building impactful businesses, strong relationships, teamwork, family time
Short-term thinking, poor collaboration.
Loreine Ngolobe
MY JOB :
I work with founders & their teams to help turn strong businesses into enduring ones.
WHY I'M HERE :
Because a lasting impact is built through patient capital, sincere partnerships and a real presence — in the details as well as on the ground.
MY BACKGROUND :
Investment experience in Africa in venture capital, growth capital and transaction advisory.
Learn from diverse teams and see the concrete impact on the ground.
Traffic jams and low battery alerts.
Nelson Kanyu
MY JOB :
From dealmaking through value creation, I partner with entrepreneurs to scale sustainable businesses
WHY I'M HERE :
To back impactful solutions with capital and hands-on support
MY BACKGROUND :
Experience across equity and debt investing, and consulting, in Africa
Learning new skills. Turning exciting ideas into reality
Short-sighted regulatory shifts that undermine ease of doing business
Tom Rostand
MY JOB :
I support the Creadev Africa portfolio and manage investments in the food, health, education and climate sectors across the continent.
WHY I'M HERE :
Entrepreneurship and innovation address major African challenges and accelerate access to essential products and services for the greatest number of people.
MY BACKGROUND :
Nearly 15 years in private equity, including 12 in Africa (and a few sleepless years in buyouts in Paris).
Cheap debt, the Rift Valley, and Swahili culture.
Currency depreciation, poaching, and Nairobi's traffic jams.
CONTACT US
NAIROBI
Creadev Africa
11th Floor, The Piano
Brookside Drive, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
