September 2023
Brainlabs
Canaccord Genuity Advises Brainlabs on its Significant Investment from Falfurrias Capital
Landmark investment puts Brainlabs on the path to expand internationally and become the world’s largest independent media agency
Canaccord Genuity is pleased to announce it has advised Brainlabs on its significant investment from private equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners (FCP). The agency was previously a portfolio company of private equity firm Livingbridge.
The new partnership between Brainlabs and FCP reinforces the success of the independent agency’s “high-performance” approach to media, which, powered by data and technology, has seen it deliver measurable, profitable, and sustainable business impact to clients worldwide. It drives the agency another step closer to becoming the world’s largest independent media agency, supporting global expansion plans, as it launches hubs in additional markets across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Founded in 2012 by global CEO Daniel Gilbert, when the former Googler spotted an opportunity to build an agency made up of engineers, statisticians, and data scientists, Brainlabs quickly achieved a reputation as an industry trailblazer – garnering the young agency early interest from the industry and investors alike, with Gilbert first taking investment in 2019 from Livingbridge. In the four years since, the agency has seen top line growth of 800% and integrated eight strategic acquisitions. In addition, Brainlabs has grown from one to more than 850 Brainlabbers, delivering game-changing work for clients. The agency’s client portfolio includes WeTransfer, Estée Lauder Companies, and adidas, among others.
Falfurrias Capital Partners is a US-based private equity investment firm founded in 2006 by Hugh McColl Jr., former chairman and CEO of Bank of America; Marc Oken, former CFO of Bank of America; and managing partner Ed McMahan. The firm has raised $2.2 billion across six funds. It invests in growing, middle market businesses in sectors where the firm’s operational resources, relationships, and sector expertise complement portfolio company executive teams.