Helio Intelligence receives investment from ECI Partners

Arrowpoint Advisory’s Management Advisory team has advised the management of Helio Intelligence, Europe’s leading provider of AI-enabled political intelligence and public affairs monitoring services, on receiving investment from ECI Partners. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and financial terms were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the transaction, Bridgepoint will reinvest in Helio as a minority shareholder alongside ECI via its small-cap fund Bridgepoint Growth II, which supports the growth of dynamic, tech-enabled businesses across Europe.

Founded in 1998, Helio Intelligence (previously DeHavilland) empowers its clients with expert-led insights so they can track and interpret political, regulatory and policy developments across the UK and Europe.

The company combines more than 25 years of political monitoring data with on-the-ground expert insight to deliver real-time political intelligence and bespoke analysis to over 1,000 customers, including corporates, non-profit organisations, and investment firms. Its solutions combine human expertise with an AI platform to deliver faster, richer and more relevant intelligence through interactive dashboards, analysis notes and strategic counsel.

During the investment of Bridgepoint and Bowmark – with Bridgepoint first investing in 2021, later welcoming Bowmark as an equal investment partner in 2023 – Helio has significantly expanded its service offering and geographic reach through sustained organic growth and four strategic acquisitions, more than tripling its revenues and profits. It has also launched dedicated expert-led coverage of critical geopolitical topics including energy, digital assets and defence.

ECI will be supporting management to capitalise on the growing political and public policy information market, with multiple tailwinds including the complexity of the legislative agenda and growing relevance of public affairs insights to blue-chip clients.

Andrew Himsley, CEO of Helio Intelligence, said: “Today is a significant milestone and I want to acknowledge both the dedication of our team in helping achieve that, as well as Bowmark and Bridgepoint’s support and expertise along the way. We are delighted to be partnering with ECI for the next phase of growth and look forward to working with them as we scale further into the growing global political intelligence market and continue to enhance our best-in-market insights and data.”

Andrew added, “Simon, Joe and Zach’s guidance for the leadership team was invaluable. Their commercial approach and expertise - at a strategic level, in the detail and regarding sector - helped us navigate the complexities of the transaction and deliver us an overall incentive package with the best possible commercial terms moving forward.”

Joe Barnett, Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, commented: “We are delighted to have supported Andrew, Mark and the team at Helio Intelligence on this transaction. In ECI, and with the continued support of Bridgepoint Growth, they have excellent partners with extensive experience in B2B Information & Data to support the business through its next phase of growth.”

Simon Cope-Thompson, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, concluded: “It’s been a pleasure working with the Helio Intelligence management team and to have advised on this exciting partnership. We look forward to watching the business go from strength-to-strength and we wish the team every success going forwards.”

Contact the deal team

Discover our Management Advisory transactions