Our history

1898-2019

Founded more than 120 years ago as an engineering conglomerate, Sofina is now a listed investment company with equity holdings in Europe, the United States and Asia, and across many sectors with a particular focus on Consumer and Retail, Digital Transformation, Education and Healthcare.

  • Shareholders’ equity exceeding EUR 7bn

  • Shareholders' equity exceeding EUR 6bn

    Exit from Flipkart

  • More than half of Sofina’s portfolio is invested outside Europe

  • The fifth anniversary of the ‘Platform for Education and Talent’, Sofina’s CSR project

    The investment team comprises 20 professionals

  • The Singapore office opens and Sofina Growth is reinforced, mainly in India, China and the United States

  • First direct investment in the United States through a shareholding in Mérieux NutriSciences

    Sir David Verey CBE becomes Chairman

  • Investment in Flipkart
  • First investment in e-commerce

  • Strategic move towards growth and more international exposure

    Count Goblet d'Alviella is appointed Executive Chairman

  • Investment in bioMérieux
  • Partnership with the Forestier family for the delisting of Petit Forestier
  • First investments in venture and growth capital funds in India
  • Investment in SES

  • Yves Boël is appointed Chairman and Count Goblet d’Alviella co-Managing Director

    Reinforcement of the family shareholders following the acquisition of Société Générale de Belgique’s stake

  • Investment in Danone
  • First investments in venture and growth capital funds in the United States
  • Investment in Colruyt
  • Sofina becomes an investment company

  • Yves Boël is appointed as Sofina’s Managing Director

    Since 1956, Sofina has increased its annual dividend per share without interruption

  • First investment by current family shareholders
  • The Luxembourg office opens
  • Initial Public Offering
  • Foundation of Sofina (‘Société Financière de Transport et d’Entreprises Industrielles’), an engineering conglomerate, active in the energy and transportation sectors