Investing in the future of business and technology

Gipefi Invest is an investment fund committed to building innovative companies with high growth potential. Our philosophy is based on exploiting the synergies between scientific technology (AI, R&D) and commerce, in order to seize opportunities in fast-growing markets.Driven by our values of transparency, innovation and excellence, we operate mainly in the retail tech, interactive media, cosmetics and SaaS solutions sectors.Our mission: to support our partners at every stage of their development, and actively contribute to shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Key figures

  • 40 years of expertise in retail, technology and innovation, with a track record of success, including CYLANDE, a major player in retail management software.

  • A growing ecosystem of brands and solutions, with strategic projects in Retail Tech, Interactive Media, Cosmetics and SaaS.

  • More than a dozen companies and entrepreneurs supported through innovative investment and operational support models.

  • Structured international development, with offices in Europe, the Middle East and North America.

  • Strategic partnerships with leading groups in the retail, luxury goods and tech sectors, as well as a strong foothold in the world's financial markets.

  • An ambitious growth vision, aimed at building sector champions by integrating artificial intelligence, data analysis and new consumer habits.

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History and DNA

Gipefi Invest is more than just an investment group. It's an acceleration platform, built on decades of expertise and experience in Retail, Technology and Innovation. Founded in 2018 by Jean-Pierre Paugam, Gipefi Invest draws on unique know-how, stemming from the success of CYLANDE, a leading software publisher for Retail that he founded and managed. Having equipped over 30,000 points of sale in 60 countries before its acquisition by CEGID in 2017, CYLANDE has become the benchmark for French Retailers.Backed by this technological and entrepreneurial DNA, Gipefi Invest is committed to a long-term vision for the creation and development of innovative companies with high growth potential. This ambition is based on the conviction that by combining scientific technology (AI, R&D) with commerce, it is possible to seize unique opportunities in rapidly expanding markets.

Mission & Vision

Gipefi Invest's mission is to build innovative companies with high growth potential, by exploiting the synergies between scientific technology (AI, R&D) and business. We support our partners throughout their development, from ideation to sustainable growth, in order to foster the emergence of high value-added solutions.Our medium- to long-term vision is to create sustainable value in rapidly expanding markets. We aim to shape the future of strategic sectors such as retail tech, interactive media, cosmetics and SaaS solutions, by helping entrepreneurs meet tomorrow's technological and business challenges.

Core values

  • Transparency: We believe in open and honest communication, both with our partners and our investors.

  • Innovation: Exploring new ideas and adopting cutting-edge technologies are at the heart of our strategy.

  • Excellence: We aim for the highest standards and quality in all our initiatives, to guarantee optimal performance and sustainable growth.

These values form the bedrock of our entrepreneurial approach and guide us in all our investment and support decisions. They reflect our commitment to responsibility, collaboration and positive impact on the ecosystem in which we operate.

Areas of expertise

At Gipefi Invest, we focus our investments on the Commerce & Retail sectors, with a particular emphasis on scientific technologies such as AI and R&D.Our aim is to design tomorrow's commerce, offering renewed, connected and high value-added customer experiences. Our focus is on creating synergies between technology and retail, whether through the exchange of best practices, the pooling of resources or the joint acceleration of innovative projects.

Types of investment

Gipefi Invest operates in several segments of corporate finance, from private equity to venture capital. We evaluate each opportunity according to precise investment criteria:

  • Growth potential and size of target market

  • Quality of founding team (vision, skills, experience)

  • Competitive advantage and technological added value

  • Strategic alignment with our values and areas of expertise.

Post-investment support

Once the investment has been made, Gipefi Invest offers comprehensive support to help our holdings grow. We provide :

  • Mentoring & strategic support: access to our international networks, skills sharing, advice on governance and business development.

  • R&D resources: synergies between projects, technology transfer and sharing of best practices

  • Personalized follow-up: clear performance objectives and regular reporting to ensure each company's sustainability and progress.

Our ambition is to measure performance beyond financial indicators alone, by ensuring sustainable growth and the positive impact of our companies on their markets and ecosystems.

Our portfolio

At Gipefi Invest, we firmly believe in the power of innovation and the importance of tailored support. The companies in our portfolio illustrate this conviction: they stand out for their strong growth potential, their ability to reinvent commerce and their willingness to exploit cutting-edge technologies to meet the challenges of tomorrow.These companies benefit from our operational and financial support at every stage of their development. We are proud to work alongside them to create value and build the future of commerce and technology.Discover below an overview of the companies that make up our ecosystem, as well as the success stories that testify to our commitment and long-term vision.

Padame+ is developing the future of interactive commerce with technology that merges entertainment and shopping, offering consumers an immersive, real-time shopping experience.

Adeiz is the unified commerce platform for retailers and restaurants. It helps its customers deploy their omnichannel strategy thanks to a Saas, multi-cloud solution and an ideal customer experience.

Cyréa is the first research laboratory dedicated to the scientific study of pigmented skin. Through its expertise, it develops natural, effective skincare formulas to meet the needs of dark skins.

BE+RADIANCE is one of the first healthy make-up brands to feature probiotics. Formulated to meet the specific needs of dark skin, it offers a wide selection of products to suit all skin tones.

USTAWI is a dermocosmetics brand made in France that specifically addresses the needs of dark skin. Formulated with natural active ingredients inspired by African pharmacopoeia, it guarantees clinically proven efficacy.

Kadalys is the first certified organic skincare brand, innovating through its expertise in the benefits of various banana varieties. KADALYS banana bio-actives are derived from innovative, patented extraction processes.

News

Kadalys, innovative organic cosmetics for the benefits of bananas

Kadalys is the first certified organic skincare brand whose expertise is based on harnessing the multiple virtues of the banana. Thanks to innovative, patented extraction processes, KADALYS banana bio-actives concentrate all the power of banana varieties, to offer formulas that are both effective and respectful of the environment.

A pioneering, committed brand

Based on a cutting-edge scientific approach, Kadalys stands out for :

  • Carefully selected ingredients of natural origin

  • Green chemistry and eco-extraction methods that preserve biodiversity

  • A desire to share the exceptional heritage of the islands, of which banana diversity is one of the major assets.

Through its model of responsible innovation, Kadalys encourages a new vision of beauty, combining the wealth of natural resources and French excellence.

Winner of the “France 2030” program

Kadalys parent company SHB BIOTECH, founded by Shirley Billot, has been named the first overseas winner of the “My First Factory” call for projects as part of France 2030. This program supports companies committed to sustainable innovation and ecological transition, and rewards :

  • Eco-extraction processes that limit the environmental footprint

  • The creation of added value in overseas territories

  • The emergence of a new, more environmentally-friendly production model

This distinction underlines the relevance and positive impact of Kadalys' work in promoting natural and responsible cosmetics.

International recognition

Kadalys' innovative approach has also been recognized worldwide. At the French Beauty Experience in London in June 2024, the brand received the Global Innovation Award, confirming its position as a leader and role model in the beauty sector.By focusing on research, quality and respect for natural resources, Kadalys has established itself as a key player for those seeking to combine effective skincare with a commitment to ethics.

Adeiz, the benchmark in unified commerce for retailers and restaurants

Adeiz is a unified commerce platform designed to meet the omnichannel challenges of retailers and restaurateurs. Thanks to its multi-cloud SaaS solution and customer experience-centric approach, Adeiz simplifies the implementation of connected sales strategies, for smooth and efficient purchasing paths.

An all-in-one omnichannel platform

Leveraging its multi-cloud technology, Adeiz enables retailers to quickly and easily deploy unified sales and loyalty services, whatever the channel used (physical store, e-commerce, mobile applications, etc.). Key features include:

  • Centralized inventory management

  • Real-time synchronization of sales channels

  • Personalized loyalty programs and customer engagement

  • Dashboard for performance monitoring and strategic decision-making

By bringing all these processes together in a single solution, Adeiz offers time savings and increased visibility for retailers and restaurateurs wishing to optimize their customer experience.

Strategic partnership with Armand Thiery

Adeiz recently signed a strategic partnership with the Armand Thiery brand , deploying its unified commerce platform in 600 stores including Armand Thiery Homme, Armand Thiery Femme, Toscane and Edji. This collaboration includes:

  • Fully integrated sales processes

  • Centralized inventory management

  • High-performance loyalty programs

This success illustrates Adeiz's ability to adapt to the specific needs of large groups, while ensuring reliable, scalable execution. Thanks to its agile approach and advanced technological solutions, Adeiz confirms its leading position in the unified commerce market.

Adeiz, driving omnichannel innovation

By offering a robust and flexible SaaS solution, Adeiz enables retailers and restaurants to anticipate market trends and build a sustainable omnichannel strategy. Whether to enhance the customer experience, optimize sales processes or strengthen customer loyalty, Adeiz is a key partner in supporting retailers' growth and digital transformation.

Ustawi, exceptional cosmetics for dark skin

Ustawi is a dermocosmetics brand made in France, dedicated to meeting the unique needs of dark skins. Founded on know-how combining traditional heritage and scientific innovation, Ustawi offers high-performance formulations based on natural active ingredients inspired by African pharmacopoeia. Thanks to clinically proven tests, its products guarantee efficacy tailored to the health and beauty of melanin-rich skin.

Growing international recognition

The quality of Ustawi products has been proven by several articles in the international press:

This visibility on influential media confirms the brand's legitimacy and its positioning as an essential reference in the world of skincare dedicated to black, dark and mixed-race skin.

A strong commitment to science and innovation

Ustawi's scientific approach is reflected in its specific formulations, which contain up to 99% ingredients of natural origin. The brand draws on the treasures of African pharmacopoeia to develop skincare products rich in high-performance active ingredients, while ensuring cutting-edge French innovation.By taking into account the specificities of melanin-rich skin, Ustawi goes beyond the usual standards of cosmetics, with formulas that :

  • Protect, correct and even skin tone

  • Respect skin balance

  • Combine African traditions and French scientific standards

Ustawi, a forward-looking brand

By combining scientific excellence, respect for tradition and international ambitions, Ustawi occupies a prime position among the new generation of dermocosmetic brands. Its success illustrates the relevance of investing in adapted, sustainable, high value-added solutions, in phase with the needs of a rapidly evolving market. Ustawi embodies the future of beauty, combining expertise and authenticity to enhance the beauty of all skin types.

Get in touch

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for an investment partner, a startup looking to accelerate its development, or an investor interested in technological innovation, we'd love to hear from you.Thanks to our team of experts in finance, technology (AI, R&D) and business, we can support you through innovative strategies to maximize your growth. Please contact us to find out more about our financing arrangements, operational support and various forms of coaching. We're convinced that, together, we can build the future of commerce and technology.