Merkator Group
welcomes SIGGIS
Merkator Group continues its expansion with the strategic acquisition of SIGGIS (www.siggis.be). This new milestone builds on the momentum Merkator has gained since joining forces with GIM in June 2022, strengthening its position as the Belgian leader in the Geospatial IT landscape. This is the first acquisition since Sofindev acquired a majority stake in the Company in December 2023.
​
April 4th 2025
SIGGIS, headquartered in Belgium, specializes in providing comprehensive GIS solutions —including sales, integration, development, training, and support— across Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, The Netherlands and French-speaking Africa, integrating spatial intelligence into business processes as a Gold partner of Esri and a Value-Added Reseller for VertiGIS. This acquisition accelerates and enhances our ability to deliver end-to-end, high-quality geospatial solutions, using advanced geo-enabled software and Digital Twins to provide actionable insights for governments, utilities, telecom and private companies. The extra expertise in Esri based software technology is highly welcomed due to the market influence Esri has on a global level and the seamless integration to some of our own flagship software products such as Marlin and MarlinDT.
​
As part of the transaction, CEVI (www.cevi.be), the previous shareholder of SIGGIS, will take a minority stake in the Merkator Group opening new possibilities in the Local market in Belgium.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
From left to right:
Carlo Daelemans (Sofindev) , Lieven Verheust (SIGGIS), Geert De Coensel (Merkator Group),
Jan Deprest (CEVI), Daan Verbeek (Sofindev)
​
​
Jan Deprest and Christoph Verheecke, Chairman and CEO CEVI, share their thoughts on the acquisition:
"With SIGGIS joining the powerhouse Merkator Group, we have strategically repositioned ourselves within a robust, highly respected, and rapidly growing consortium of geo experts. This move ensures the best possible outcome for both our dedicated team and valued customers, supporting them through multi-year journeys of geospatial innovation."
Geert De Coensel, CEO Merkator Group:
"With Merkator, GIM, and now SIGGIS united, our 'SDS Magic Geospatial Triangle'—Software, Data, and Services—grows even faster, positioning us to further shape our common vision: EVERY LOCATION HAS A STORY, WE BRING IT TO LIFE. The Merkator Group is not only contributing to the geospatial market—we are building a new geo-enabled ecosystem with a positive impact on our planet every day. Increasingly, we see a dependency on Esri's software technology. This acquisition will allow us to accelerate our growth in this market."
Carlo Daelemans, and Daan Verbeek, Partner and Investment Manager at Sofindev:
"Merkator Group is an absolute market leader and trusted player in the field of geospatial solutions. The global Geo-ICT landscape is consolidating rapidly, and with the addition of SIGGIS, we have secured a crucial link, gaining immediate access to a wealth of expertise in the Esri software ecosystem. Merkator Group has become the most influential player in the local market and leverages this expertise to further expand its footprint. For instance, almost all Belgian utility and telecom operators rely on Merkator Group today, and simultaneously, our software and data solutions are gaining international attention swiftly. The company has a solid customer base, including local, regional, and federal governments, as well as the private sector, where we focus on advanced he management of GEO data for the banking and insurance sectors. This move is a natural step in Merkator's growth process, both locally and internationally."
​
About Merkator Group
"EVERY LOCATION HAS A STORY, WE BRING IT TO LIFE." Merkator is the leading Benelux Geospatial IT company, with roots dating back to 1994. Today, Merkator, along with its subsidiaries GIM and SIGGIS, operates globally with offices in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Spain, and the UAE. Our customer base has expanded to a global presence, including clients in the USA, South America, Europe, India, Africa, and the Middle East.
The newly expanded group currently employs 240 people and is projected to achieve approximately €32 million in revenue for 2025. Learn more about Merkator and GIM at www.merkator.com and www.gim.be.
​
About SIGGIS
SIGGIS is specialized in the sales, integration, development, training and support of geographic information systems (GIS) around software technology from Esri Inc and Vertigis. SIGGIS is active in Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and French speaking Africa. SIGGIS stands for “Spatial Intelligence Genuine & Generic IT Solutions”: the integration of spatial intelligence into the business processes of organizations. More info on: www.siggis.be.
​
About Sofindev
Sofindev is a leading independent private equity firm specializing in buyout and growth capital for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Benelux region. Sofindev was founded in 1991 by two leading family controlled publicly listed groups. Since then, the Sofindev team has evolved to full independence and has surrounded itself with a broader range of respected family and (international) institutional investors. These investors include entrepreneurs and owners of family businesses in which Sofindev has invested in the past. Since 2015, more than €500 million in capital has been raised through the Sofindev IV, V, and VI funds to invest in Belgian and Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises, which in turn have made dozens of acquisitions, both domestically and abroad. The Sofindev funds invest in the capital of successful small and medium-sized enterprises in the Benelux, in collaboration with the entrepreneurs and management teams of these companies, to stimulate further sustainable growth and achieve long-term value creation. More information on www.sofindev.com
​
