The Carlyle Group acquires stake in FS

São Paulo – Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) has acquired a minority interest in FS, a provider of value-added services, mobile applications and content in Brazil and Latin America.

The funds for the investment came from the Carlyle South America Buyout Fund (CSABF) and the Carlyle Peru Fund (CPF). Terms of the transaction, which was completed on December 29, 2016, were not disclosed.

Founded in 2009, FS is a provider of value-added services, applications and mobile content through telecom operators, ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and retailers in Brazil and Latin America. The company provides diverse solutions involving digital security, cloud, insurance, assistance, specialized technical support, mobile learning and interactive services to more than 36 million subscribers.

"It is a great pleasure to announce our partnership with Carlyle, which will significantly help us execute our growth plans. Carlyle, with its global presence, will be of great value in helping us expand to new markets, as well as bringing to the company the best international practices in management and governance. Among our many achievements in 2016, this was undoubtedly the most strategic," commented Alberto Leite, CEO and co-founder of FS.

"We are gratified by the progress of FS in recent years and we believe that with the support of Carlyle we will be well positioned to take advantage of future growth opportunities that may arise," said David Carvalho, COO and co-founder of FS.

Carlyle South America Buyout Fund's co-head, Juan Carlos Felix, added, “Carlyle has great Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) expertise internationally, which should contribute to further accelerate FS’ impressive growth. The FS team has done an outstanding job, having achieved a strong position in the market with a solid value proposition for its business partners and subscribers. We are excited to collaborate with them in the development and consolidation of such a successful business." 

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About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $169 billion of assets under management across 125 funds and 177 fund of funds vehicles as of September 30, 2016. Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,625 people in 35 offices across six continents.

Web: www.carlyle.com  
VIdeos: http://www.carlyle.com/news-room/corporate-videos_new
Tweets: www.twitter.com/onecarlyle
Podcasts: www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/market-commentary

About FS
A provider of value-added services (VAS) for telecommunications operators and retailers in Brazil and Latin America, FS has a complete ecosystem that develops end-to-end digital solutions and products (from design to direct user service) delivering innovation to its business partners, with the purpose of generating additional revenues without new investments in infrastructure. With more than 36 million subscribers, it provides white-label solutions for the B2B2C market and, through the Hero brand, for the B2C market, meeting demand from retailers and digital application stores. Headquartered in São Paulo and present in more than ten Brazilian states, it also has commercial offices in Chile and Argentina. FS is ranked among the best companies to work in Brazil, in the Information Technology market, and in Latin America, according to GreatPlaceToWork

Press Contacts – FS

RMA Comunicação

Rebecca Vicente – rebecca.vicente@agenciarma.com.br – (11) 2244-5995
Juliana Gaspardo – juliana.gaspardo@rmacomunicacao.com.br – (11) 2244-5909

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