NORD Holding invests in ESG software pioneer VERSO and launches comprehensive ESG initiative

Hanover/Munich. NORD Holding strongly believes in the megatrend sustainability/ESG and will put an increasing focus on this topic both internally as well as within its portfolio companies. The investment in ESG reporting software pioneer VERSO, also offering ESG consulting and advanced training, marks the launch of a comprehensive ESG initiative. NORD Holding intends to introduce VERSO’s software solution within its 15 portfolio companies and setting a standard in sustainable corporate governance.

With its investment in VERSO, NORD Holding capitalises on one of the few ESG software solutions that has been established over many years and has now grown into a holistic service provider in the area of corporate sustainability. VERSO supports companies in accelerating their sustainable transformation effectively and efficiently: from "Mission Zero" (carbon accounting, reduction, and offsetting) and ongoing sustainability management to ESG reporting (a focus area for VERSO). Hence, the company is ideally positioned to benefit from the EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) in the mid- and long-term perspective.

VERSO addresses the increasing need for digitalization and knowledge in various areas of sustainability in SMEs, given the directive for capital market-oriented companies issued in 2017 and the Europe-wide extension to smaller SMEs issued in 2022. In addition, there are further increasing regulatory challenges (e.g. Supply Chain Act), on which VERSO is already successfully advising its customers.

“We take our responsibility seriously: Towards our investors and portfolio, but also towards society and the planet. For us, the megatrend sustainable transformation, and thus the area of ESG, is a key value driver. At the same time, we are developing ESG strategies with all our companies to increase overall sustainability within our portfolio realizing a competitive edge. VERSO already offers a strong and established solution for companies in all industries with more than a decade of experience. Together with VERSO, we will therefore make a significant contribution to our own portfolio and benefit, both on the operations and investment side, from the massive increase in demand in the sustainability segment. “, states Christian Moritz Kukwa, Principal at NORD Holding.

Andreas Maslo, co-founder and CEO of VERSO, comments: “We are dedicated to a great mission: To accelerate the sustainable transformation of the economy. But to implement our strategy, we did not seek the fast buck, but looked out for the right partner for growth. After discussions with a wide variety of interested parties, we made a very conscious decision for NORD Holding. An investor with deep roots in the German SME sector, a genuine desire for transformation and a transparent shareholder structure. In addition, NH's domain expertise in software, consulting and now ESG speaks for itself. We are incredibly excited working together to build the leading ESG software and consulting service provider in the German-speaking region. This will enable us to support companies even more effectively in their transformation toward sustainability and further accelerate the process.”

The investment was executed by the two NORD Holding teams Business Services and Software/Technology and underlines the sector competence in the area of technology-enabled services. On behalf of NORD Holding, the transaction was managed by Christian Moritz Kukwa, Christoph Grunewald, Moritz Stolp and Kornelius Karl Komischke.