Melior Equity Partners Invests in Ishikawa Technologies: Supporting Big Red Cloud and Future Growth

We’re excited to share that Ishikawa Technologies has completed its first significant acquisition: Big Red Cloud Group. This company is a trusted provider of accounting and payroll software for over 8,000 small and medium-sized enterprises.

This important milestone is supported by a strategic investment from Melior Equity Partners, one of Ireland’s leading private equity teams. With their funding secured and a successful business now in our portfolio, Ishikawa Technologies is officially open for business—and ready for our next deal.

A Strong Start: The Strategic Choice of Big Red Cloud

Big Red Cloud is renowned for its legacy of reliability and simplicity, along with deep Irish tax expertise. The company’s products help small business owners reduce complexity, allowing them to focus on what they love. This mission perfectly aligns with our vision at Ishikawa Technologies, which is to help outstanding software businesses grow by enhancing customer success and improving products continuously.

We are thrilled to inject fresh investment into Big Red Cloud. This will accelerate cloud innovation, modernize Big Red Payroll, develop Big Red Turbo Inventory, and enhance automation across financial workflows. Furthermore, we are committed to supporting Big Red Cloud's international growth, especially with Turbo Inventory, which is already experiencing significant growth in the UK.

A Smooth Transition—Gratitude for a Visionary Founder

As part of the transition, Marc O’Dwyer, the founder and outgoing CEO of Big Red Cloud, is stepping away to pursue new ventures. Marc stated:

"Building Big Red Cloud has been an incredible journey. I’m immensely proud of how we’ve helped Irish businesses take control of their finances. I know that combining forces with Ishikawa Technologies will only strengthen that legacy."

We are grateful to Marc for the foundation he has built and are excited to build upon it. Paraic Nolan, CFO and Product Officer, and Catherine Lockhart, COO, will continue as key leaders. Meanwhile, Stuart McCaul, founder of Ishikawa Technologies, will step in as the new CEO.

Backed to Build and Expand

We are also proud to welcome Jonathan Cosgrave and Shane O’Brien of Melior Equity Partners to the Ishikawa Technologies board. Their support and belief in our long-term vision mean we are not only funded but also focused on growth.

Jonathan Cosgrave articulated our shared vision:

“With Ishikawa Technologies’ vision and expertise, we see tremendous potential to scale Big Red Cloud’s products, enhance automation, and expand into new markets. This is exactly the type of investment we look for.”

What’s Next for Ishikawa Technologies?

This deal signifies the beginning of Ishikawa Technologies' journey toward becoming the go-to platform for business software in Ireland, the UK, and Europe. We are not just investing in companies; we are investing in better outcomes for their customers.

Whether you’re a founder considering your next steps, a software business poised for growth, or simply curious about our initiatives, we’d love to connect. The next chapter of Ishikawa starts now, and we are actively seeking our next acquisition.

The Vision Behind Ishikawa Technologies

About Ishikawa Technologies:

Ishikawa Technologies (www.ishikawatech.com) is an Irish software business aggregator dedicated to delivering business solutions that delight customers. We have deep roots in business software and are committed to building long-term success for our clients. Our approach focuses on stability, innovation, and customer-driven growth.

About Big Red Cloud Group:

Big Red Cloud Group (www.bigredcloud.com) provides simple yet powerful accounting, payroll, and inventory management software for 8,000 Irish SMEs. The product suite includes Big Red Cloud, Big Red Book, Big Red Payroll, and Turbo Inventory, all designed for ease of use, seamless integration, and full compliance with Irish tax regulations.

About Melior Equity Partners:

Melior Equity Partners (www.meliorequity.com) was founded in 2019 by Jonathan Cosgrave and Peter Garvey, who previously co-headed the management of a €292 million Ireland-dedicated private equity fund for The Carlyle Group. Melior combines international standards with local insights to deliver a unique approach to investing in and partnering with management teams in Ireland.

The Melior team is currently deploying capital out of Melior Equity Partners II, a fund backed by both local and international blue-chip investors, such as The Carlyle Group, the European Investment Fund, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Bank of Ireland, and AIB. This diverse investor pool provides Melior with substantial capacity to fund investments of any scale within the Irish market.

Ishikawa Technologies is the seventh investment from Melior Equity Partners Fund II. Other notable Melior investments include Ohk Energy, Blair’s Caravans, BHP Insurance, Salmon Software, and Rose Confectionery. Before establishing Melior, Cosgrave and Garvey led an Ireland-focused private equity fund for The Carlyle Group, successfully investing in firms like AA Ireland, Carroll Cuisine, GSLS, Learning Pool, Lily O’Brien’s, McCauley Pharmacy, Payzone, Sports Surgery Clinic, and The City Bin Co.

Transaction Advisers:

Melior Equity Partners and Ishikawa Technologies were advised by McCann FitzGerald, Deloitte, KPMG, Dentons, Fairgrove Partners, and SustainabilityWorks, while Big Red Cloud was supported by PKF Brenson Lawlor, Boopos, and Gordon Judge Solicitors.

In conclusion, this investment marks the dawn of a new era for both Ishikawa Technologies and Big Red Cloud, promising exciting opportunities for growth and enhanced service offerings in the business software landscape. If you're interested in exploring this promising partnership, don’t hesitate to reach out!