Company in the Spotlight - Bizzdesign

  • 03-10-2024
  • Article
Main recently interviewed Bert van de Zwan, the CEO of our portfolio company, Bizzdesign, to connect and discuss recent developments and future growth prospects.

“We’ve believed for some time that the Enterprise Architecture market was ripe for a shakeup.”

- Bert van der Zwan, CEO of Bizzdesign

Main’s portfolio company, Bizzdesign, recently acquired MEGA International and an additional undisclosed company. This acquisition allows Bizzdesign to become a leading player in the Enterprise Architecture (“EA”) market and in adjacent categories, such as BPM, SPM, APM, GRC and SA markets, with the potential to shape the future of digital transformation across industries. Bert van der Zwan, CEO of Bizzdesign, shared his insights on the strategic vision behind the acquisition, its significance, and the transformative impact it will have on Bizzdesign and the broader market.

A Strategic Vision for Transformation
Van der Zwan emphasizes that in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, enterprise transformation is no longer optional. “Organizations need to continuously adapt to survive,” he states. The acquisition aligns with Bizzdesign’s mission to help organizations close the gap between strategy and execution. The vision is to provide a unified enterprise transformation suite, enabling stakeholders to collaborate effectively across business design, portfolio management, execution, and governance.

“These acquisitions accelerate our goal to become the undisputed leader in the EA space and beyond,” van der Zwan explains. By combining forces, Bizzdesign can address the challenges organizations face during transformation.

A Game-Changing Acquisition
This acquisition represents a major milestone, tripling Bizzdesign’s size overnight to form a company with EUR 110 million in revenue and over 600 employees globally. Van der Zwan calls it a “game-changer,” emphasizing that Bizzdesign is now the largest independent, profitable EA specialist worldwide. “We’re in a strong position to control our future,” he says, highlighting the company’s profitable growth path, which contrasts with competitors reliant on venture capital.

The strategic value of this acquisition lies in the combined expertise and resources of Bizzdesign, MEGA International, and the third company. “We’ve brought together talent with proven success in enterprise architecture, application portfolio management, and governance, risk, and compliance,” van der Zwan notes. The deal reshapes the EA landscape by creating a powerhouse that can offer a more comprehensive solution than any individual competitor.

Strengthening Market Leadership
The EA market is competitive, with 10 vendors featured in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, but van der Zwan believes this acquisition sets Bizzdesign apart. “We’ve believed for some time that the market was ripe for a shakeup,” he explains. By consolidating three top vendors, Bizzdesign is positioned to lead the industry as it evolves. Van der Zwan expects some smaller players to struggle, especially as larger tech companies like SAP and ServiceNow enter the market.

However, he sees these developments as opportunities. Bizzdesign is already partnering with major technology companies, enabling them to demonstrate how enterprise architecture can align with strategic business outcomes. With added resources from this acquisition, Bizzdesign can further distance itself from competitors through innovation, local footprint, and a stronger customer experience.

Cultural Alignment
The integration of acquired companies is well underway. Van der Zwan highlights the strong cultural fit, noting a shared commitment to customer success and long-term relationships built on trust. “From the first meetings, we recognized a shared passion for enterprise architecture,” he says. This alignment extends to the third acquisition, ensuring a seamless integration of people, processes, and technology.

With the addition of 350 employees, Bizzdesign is making strides in combining global and localized operating models. “Software is a people business, and our people are our most valuable asset,” van der Zwan notes. The focus is on clear communication, strong leadership, and aligning the team under a shared vision to deliver greater value to customers.

Global Expansion
With the acquisitions, Bizzdesign is poised for rapid growth and innovation. The combined resources will accelerate research and development, bringing new solutions to market faster. While van der Zwan is cautious about revealing too many details, he hints that the upcoming cloud-native platform will be “a game-changer for enterprise transformation.”
The acquisition also significantly extends Bizzdesign’s global reach, strengthening its presence in key regions like North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. This expanded footprint will enable Bizzdesign to tap into new markets while enhancing its ability to provide localized support to customers.

A Path to Profitable Growth
Looking ahead, van der Zwan remains committed to maintaining Bizzdesign’s trajectory of profitable growth. The company’s financial discipline and customer-first approach will continue to guide its strategy. “Our focus is on ensuring that our customers derive maximum value from our products,” he says. By prioritizing customer success and leveraging the combined capabilities, van der Zwan is confident that the company will continue to lead the EA market and its adjacent market categories for years to come.

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Esmée Knijff

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