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