TA Associates takes stake in smartTrade as Hg exits French fintech provider

TA Associates acquired a strategic stake in smartTrade Technologies, a global provider of electronic trading and payments platforms, marking a new chapter in the company’s growth and international expansion.

The investment comes as Hg, a leading investor in software and services businesses, fully exits its majority holding in the firm.

Headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, smartTrade delivers advanced, end-to-end SaaS solutions for multi-asset electronic trading and payments, serving clients from offices in London, Paris, Geneva, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, and Singapore.

As part of the transaction, smartTrade CEO and Co-Founder David Vincent, along with the broader management team, will reinvest in the business alongside TA Associates.

The fresh capital injection will support smartTrade’s expansion strategy, with a focus on scaling operations, enhancing deployment flexibility, and accelerating innovation, particularly in AI-powered trading and payments technologies.

The transaction is subject to customary workers’ council consultations under applicable legislation. Financial details have not been disclosed.

Arma Partners acted as financial advisor to smartTrade, while Houlihan Lokey and Deutsche Bank advised TA Associates on the deal.