Kernel Capital invest in Dublin-based Certification Europe to drive international sales growth

Kernel Capital through the Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund, has announced a €400k investment in Dublin-based Certification Europe Limited (“Certification Europe”), an International Management Standards and Inspection Services Company.

Certification Europe is an accredited certification body which provides ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) management system certification and other management standards to organisations globally. The Company currently certifies over 1,000 organisations across 16 countries and performs over 8,000 assessments annually. Clients include BT, Diageo, KMPG, An Post and Microsoft.

Headquartered in Dublin with offices in the U.K., Italy, Turkey and Japan, Certification Europe is rapidly growing its international business. The Enterprise Ireland supported company currently employs over 50 people and expects to create an additional 15 jobs in 2015.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Brophy, CEO, Certification Europe Limited said: “The investment from Kernel Capital’s Bank of Ireland fund is not only an endorsement of the growth and success the company has experienced over the last number of years, but is testimony to the huge opportunities Certification Europe is poised to exploit in the future. We have some of the biggest companies in the world as our clients, and perform over eight-thousand assessments or inspections annually across the globe. Kernel’s investment means that we not only have the means of growing our existing service offering, but can now expand our services into additional countries beyond the 16 in which we currently operate.”

Orla Rimmington, Partner, Kernel Capital added: “We are pleased to invest in dynamic Irish companies like Certification Europe. Our Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Fund supports SME’s with a strong export focus which is fundamental to building the next generation of world-class Irish companies. This investment will enable Certification Europe to expand their team and build market share in key international markets.”