Main Capital Partners backs HYPE-Planbox merger to create a global innovation powerhouse

The union of HYPE and Planbox will result in the formation of one of the largest international players in innovation management software, with the combined group approaching €30 million in revenue.

This integration with Planbox marks the fourth acquisition by HYPE Innovation since Main Capital’s investment began in 2019, showcasing once again how Main facilitates the internationalization of its portfolio companies into North America.

This strategic partnership capitalizes on Planbox’s expertise in full lifecycle Innovation Portfolio Management, Emerging Tech Empowerment, and Ecosystem Enablement. With more than two decades of experience, Planbox boasts an impressive portfolio of 400 enterprise deployments, over 5 million engaged participants, and delivering $10 billion in ROI to its customers. The company’s AI-powered, cloud-based agile innovation solutions have been pivotal in advancing the business outcomes of internationally recognized brands such as Bayer, Anglo American, Doosan Bobcat, Novartis, Electrolux Professional, and Honeywell. Since its merger with Brainbank software in 2015, Planbox has maintained a leading position in the industry, achieving top rankings in analyst reports, most notably the 2020 Forrester Wave.

Frank Henningsen, CEO of HYPE Innovation, mentioned: “Our journey began with a vision to transform the way businesses innovate. Merging with Planbox solidifies this vision by combining over two decades of insights, technology, and passion. As the boundaries between regions and markets blur, our combined expertise stands as a beacon for global innovation, ensuring that our clients don’t just adapt but thrive in this dynamic landscape. We’ve witnessed how tectonic market shifts can redefine entire sectors. With this merger, we’re set to ignite a new era of innovation management leadership for the world.”

With Generative AI on the rise, the merger sets new industry standards for innovation management systems. HYPE’s AI capabilities, such as AI-based data research and management, are now extended and enriched with strong features from Planbox. The resulting best-in-class platform represents a transformative shift in the innovation management landscape, marking the beginning of a new chapter where human creativity, artificial intelligence, and governance converge to unlock unprecedented potential for innovation. It simplifies processes, enables efficient resource utilization, and bridges gaps between front-end innovation work and back-end processes and systems.

Ludwig Melik, CEO of Planbox, added: “In the rapidly changing global marketplace, it’s not just about surviving but excelling. Our combined strengths represent more than just a strategic merger — it’s a commitment to our clients. Together, we’re creating an environment where businesses are poised to be future-fit by preemptively adapting to market shifts and capitalizing on them rather than reacting. With our enhanced capabilities, we envision a future where innovation management becomes the cornerstone of every successful enterprise.”

Together, HYPE Innovation and Planbox aim to revolutionize the innovation management industry, delivering value to organizations worldwide and igniting new levels of growth and achievement. Also, customers benefit from an expanded network of partners, collaborators, and experts that the merged entity provides, promoting opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, and accelerating their innovation efforts.

“While many see mergers as a culmination, for us, it’s a new beginning. The tools and expertise we bring are comprehensive, but what excites us most is the untapped potential between us. This merger isn’t just about tools or platforms — it’s about cultivating a mindset of perpetual evolution. We aim to equip organizations with the foresight to not only foresee change but to architect it in order to excel at innovation,” added Henningsen.

Sven van Berge Henegouwen, Managing Partners and head of DACH at Main Capital Partners, concluded: “HYPE Innovation has grown to be a leading software specialist in the enterprise innovation management software market. North America is a highly strategic market for HYPE and we are excited to support the company in this critical next step of its growth phase. We believe that the combination of HYPE and Planbox forms a strongly positioned group with a promising future ahead.”