Three companies, three inspiring stories
The three winners of the Private Equity Awards 2025 were selected from a shortlist of nine nominees across three categories at a vibrant awards ceremony.
The Venture category rewards young companies that have developed and brought an innovative product or service to market with the backing of venture capital. The Growth category highlights companies that have significantly expanded their activities through organic growth or an acquisition strategy, involving a financial partner, while retaining control. Finally, the Buy-out category recognises companies that have changed ownership and continued to grow through the collaboration of management and a private equity investor holding a controlling stake.
By celebrating EsoBiotec, Lighthouse and BOMA, the Private Equity Awards 2025 jury aimed to honour three companies that exemplify the role of private equity in driving innovation, growth and competitiveness in the Belgian economy.
Venture Company of the Year: EsoBiotec
Based in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, EsoBiotec was founded in 2020 by Jean-Pierre Latere (former COO of Celyad).
EsoBiotec develops “in vivo” cell therapies, which are administered directly into patients intravenously. The therapy uses inactive viruses as a means of transport to deliver genetic instructions to defence cells so that they are programmed to attack cancer cells. The therapy can be produced very quickly.
Since its establishment, €14 million has been raised from Wallonia Entreprendre, UCB Ventures, Thuja (NL), Sambrinvest, InvestSud and Spain’s InVivo Partners. In 2025, the company was acquired by Astra Zeneca, for an amount of up to $1 billion, $425 million upfront, and $575 million in milestone payments.
It currently employs 13 people.
The jury selected EsoBiotec as the winner for its highly innovative approach, which uses the body as a factory to fight cancer. The potential range of therapies stemming from EsoBiotec is exceptionally broad. The jury was also impressed by the strong personality of CEO Latere. Lastly, the acquisition by AstraZeneca, valued at €1 billion, represents a major financial success.
Growth Company of the Year: Lighthouse
Founded in 2012, Lighthouse develops hotel management software that helps hotels worldwide with pricing. It serves 70,000 hotels in 185 countries. Founders Matthias Geeroms (CFO), Adriaan Coppens and Gino Engels expanded the company into a unicorn and raised €350 million from the US KKR in a Series C round last year. Other shareholders are Venrex, Highgate and Spectrum.
The company has experienced strong growth in recent years and navigated the COVID years with great success.
It now has 850 team members, 220 of whom work in Ghent.
The jury congratulated Lighthouse on its impressive journey from start-up to scale-up. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the company continued its expansion. The entry of KKR is seen as strong validation of Lighthouse’s business model.
Buy-out Company of the Year: BOMA
Founded in 1974, the Antwerp-based cleaning specialist BOMA (BOMA stands for “Borstels en Matten”) has been financed by private equity (KBC Private Equity, Think2Act Partners) for decades, and took another leap forward in 2024 with the entry of the Scandinavian fund IK Partners. Over the years, the company has grown steadily to 150 million euros in turnover.
BOMA, headed by Luc Bresseleers (CEO) and Stijn Wildiers (CFO), employs 340 people.
The jury selected BOMA based on its excellent presentation, the successful integration of acquired companies, and the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship that remains embedded in the company culture.
