Evolver, a Nordic PE Growth Partner for SMEs, has on the 5th of July 2024 acquired a controlling interest in Finnish event technology provider Rajupaja Oy.
Evolver and Rajupaja partner up
With the backing of Evolver, Rajupaja will continue its quest to become a nationwide leader in the event equipment and services industry in Finland. Entrepreneurs Jussi Mäkelä and Sami Tarkia will remain significant shareholders, while CEO Jani Rokala will continue to lead the company and also become a shareholder. Rajupaja is Evolver Fund I’s sixth and last investment.
2014 founded Rajupaja is a Top 3 event equipment rental and value-added services company in the Finnish market. With a significant market share and market-leading profitability, Rajupaja has built a strong competitive position by successfully acquiring and merging niche competitors and smaller operators in new market areas and different value chain positions.
Rajupaja’s entrepreneurs, Sami Tarkia and Jussi Mäkelä, see great possibilities with the transaction: “As entrepreneurs for many years we are pleased to welcome Evolver as our growth partner. This partnership gives us access to complementary know-how, resources, and tools that will help us continue the professionalization of our company, accelerate growth, and further strengthen Rajupaja’s competitive position. We are convinced it will also enhance our ability to serve both current and future customers and partners.”
”In an increasingly digitized world we believe live events, whether musical, sporting, corporate, or industrial, will continue to have strong relevance for us human beings. We are impressed with the vision, drive, and business acumen of Jussi and Sami and the results they have achieved as entrepreneurs. We are excited and proud to become part of Rajupaja’s continued growth journey and sponsors of a business that truly brings people together,” says Joacim Eriksson, Partner at Evolver Equity.
For more information, please contact:
Joacim Eriksson, Evolver Equity, tel +358 457 379 2930
Jani Rokala, Rajupaja Oy, tel. +358 400 856329
About Rajupaja
Rajupaja is an equipment rental and service company specializing in offering event technology, infrastructure, and value-adding services for small to large-size events across Finland. The offering includes lights, sound, video and camera, stages, rigging, furniture, and decorations, as well as design, and planning services. Key customer segments include corporates, festival and concert organizers, event management offices, public sector players, sports teams, and artists. Rajupaja has offices in Vantaa, Turku, Jyväskylä and Kotka. Rajupaja has 60 employees and a turnover of €10.7m (2023).
About Evolver Equity
Evolver is a Finnish private equity investor and alternative investment fund manager specializing in Nordic small-cap buyouts. Evolver’s mission is to support businesses in their transformation from founder-led to management-driven companies, hence unleishing their full potential. Since inception in 2009 Evolver has executed more than 40 corporate transactions and currently manages two buyout funds, both primarily funded by leading Finnish institutional investors. In 2024, Evolver was awarded the Alternative Managers’ Platinum Private Equity Buyout Award by Scandinavian Financial Research (https://www.sfr-group.com/en/), an award granted based on assessment of the quality of a fund manager’s service in comparison to its peers, and investor satisfaction with returns.
Lasse Kittelsen
Managing Partner
