Private equity firm Bridgepoint has announced a significant investment in financial solutions provider Esker. Bridgepoint said the partnership “aims to accelerate Esker’s development strategy, leveraging our combined sector expertise to expand the brand globally and drive further innovation in the automation of back-office functions across finance, procurement and customer services.” The final settlement is set to process on February 14, 2025, as Esker will transition to becoming a privately-held company.
“We are delighted with the success of this offer, which represents a major milestone in Esker’s history. Alongside Bridgepoint and General Atlantic, we are equipping ourselves to accelerate our development, further innovate, and strengthen our position as a leader in a rapidly expanding market. This partnership, and the delisting of the company, are fully in line with our ambition to better support our clients and to build, together, the future of Esker,” said Jean-Michel Bérard, President and Founder of Esker, in a press release.
Specialized Focus
Esker specializes in automation of key financial processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, order-to-cash, source-to-pay, and more. The deal represents a culmination of more than five years of consideration and negotiation between Esker and Bridgepoint.
Explore related questions
Bridgepoint has made a number of strategic investments and partnerships with organizations with offerings in AI, automation, analytics, risk-management, and other key areas that ERP practitioners interact with on a daily basis.
“It clearly aligns with Bridgepoint’s strategy to invest in global leading platforms and then support them to further accelerate growth,” said Maciej Chrystowski, Director, Bridgepoint.
Private equity (PE) firms like Bridgepoint are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation because these technologies offer immense potential for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and competitive advantages across industries. AI and automation are reshaping business operations, and PE investors see an opportunity to create significant value by integrating these innovations into their portfolio companies.
Organizations like SoftBank have pledged tens of billions of dollars in funding for AI infrastructure and companies like OpenAI, while Brookfield Asset Management said in February 2025 that it plans to invest up to €20 billion in France for AI infrastructure development, focusing on digitalization and the growing need for low-cost clean power.
AI and automation enhance productivity by streamlining operations, reducing errors, and accelerating decision-making. PE firms, known for optimizing businesses to increase their value before selling them, see AI as a powerful tool for operational improvement. Automation reduces labor costs, improves accuracy, and allows companies to scale more effectively — making AI-driven businesses more attractive investment targets.
Intelligence and Scalability
AI-driven analytics provide deeper insights into market trends, customer behavior, and operational performance. PE firms leverage AI-powered data analytics to make informed investment decisions, identify growth opportunities, and manage risks more effectively. Machine learning models can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, uncovering patterns that human analysts might overlook, leading to smarter and more profitable investments.
AI and automation capabilities like those from Esker enable companies to scale operations without a proportional increase in costs. For example, AI-driven customer service chatbots allow businesses to handle more inquiries without hiring additional staff. Similarly, AI-powered supply chain management optimizes logistics, inventory, and procurement, leading to increased efficiency and revenue growth—an attractive prospect for PE investors looking to maximize returns.
With global labor shortages and rising wages, businesses are seeking alternatives to human-intensive operations. AI and automation provide a solution by filling gaps in the workforce, ensuring continuous productivity without the challenges associated with labor market fluctuations. PE firms recognize this trend and are actively investing in businesses that can thrive with minimal reliance on human labor.
Esker offers solutions in the source-to-pay, order-to-cash, and e-invoicing workflows. These areas are prone to bottlenecks, outdated manual processes and human error. Solutions automating away some of these major issues are growing in popularity across SAP organizations, as well as other ERP users.
What This Means for ERP insiders
Follow the money and target your investments strategically. One of the primary ways PE firms generate returns is by improving cost efficiency within their portfolio companies. AI and automation can replace repetitive, manual tasks, reducing dependency on human labor and minimizing operational expenses. Automated systems also decrease waste and optimize resource allocation, leading to higher profit margins and improved financial performance. Organizations should ensure that they are prioritizing these solutions to be included within their ERPs, yet just 21% of companies said that they feel they are ahead of their competition in terms of implementing AI solutions. Additionally, 43% of companies said they are prioritizing AI and automation in 2025, so those that do not risk falling behind.
Operate strategically, use AI to improve analytics. AI helps PE firms identify potential investment opportunities more efficiently. By using AI algorithms to scan financial reports, market data, and company performance metrics, investors can pinpoint undervalued assets with high growth potential. Additionally, AI-powered due diligence speeds up the evaluation process, reducing the time required to assess a company’s financial health, market position, and risk factors. All companies can use AI in one way or another to bolster their analytics capabilities, and more than one third (34%) of companies are planning to implement new analytics projects in the coming year. These organizations should ensure they are using every tool at their disposal to make the project more successful.
Efficiency is the wave of the future. As AI technology continues to evolve, businesses that fail to adopt automation risk becoming obsolete. PE firms prioritize investments in forward-thinking companies like Esker that integrate AI into their business models. By doing so, they ensure long-term growth and sustainability, making their portfolio companies more attractive to future buyers or public markets.
Private equity firms are investing in AI and automation because these technologies drive efficiency, reduce costs, improve decision-making, and enhance scalability. As AI continues to transform industries, PE investors will increasingly prioritize businesses that leverage automation to gain a competitive edge and maximize returns.
