Caravelle
Also known as Groupe Caravelle, SAS Caravelle, Clipper Group
Paris investment group owned by the Martel family investing its own funds, mostly as majority shareholder, in French SMEs with €50–300M revenue in industry and services.
USEFUL FOR Business owners seeking a long-term partner · Co-investors
Paris family investment group of the Martel family; not related to other companies named Caravelle.
Family & background
- FAMILY
- Martel family
- HEADQUARTERS
- Paris, France
- FOUNDED
- 1995
- OUTSIDE CAPITAL
- No — own capital only
Investment approach
- GEOGRAPHY
- France
- STAGES
- Buyout
- ROUTES
- Companies (own capital)
- STRATEGIES
- Private equityDirect investments
Overview
Caravelle was founded in 1995 by Pierre-André Martel and built on turning around companies in difficulty in pharmaceuticals, industrial bodywork, mechanics and IT. From 2012 to 2017, under Hélène Martel-Massignac, it shifted to healthy companies in industry, services, tourism and hospitality; Lorène Martel has led it since 2017. It invests its own capital, mostly in majority stakes, in French SMEs with €50M–€300M revenue, and current holdings are Kestrel Vision, Visionix (Luneau Technology) and a minority stake in Mayoly; in February 2026 it entered exclusive negotiations to sell Belambra, held since 2014, to Antin Infrastructure Partners. The group has a consolidated workforce of about 2,700.
Investment thesis
Long-term shareholder investing its own funds in French SMEs with €50M–€300M revenue in industry and services, supporting their national and international development, mostly through majority stakes.
Holdings & investments (15)
- Kestrel VisionNOTABLEIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 2017 · Majority stake (unlisted)
- Visionix (Luneau Technology)NOTABLEHealthTech · since 2019 · Majority stake (unlisted)
- HealthTech · since 2022 · Minority stake (unlisted)
- Consumer & E-commerce · since 2014 · Exited 2026 (majority, unlisted; exclusive negotiations with Antin Infrastructure Partners announced Feb 2026)
- Food & Agriculture · since 2012 · Exited 2018 (minority, listed)
- SopraSoftware & SaaS · since 2005 · Exited 2013 (minority, listed)
- Industrial & Manufacturing · since 2004 · Exited 2016 (majority, unlisted)
- MarrelIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 2004 · Exited 2013 (majority, unlisted)
- FruehaufIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 2004 · Exited 2007 (majority, unlisted)
- XRTSoftware & SaaS · since 2003 · Exited 2007 (minority, listed)
- DiagramSoftware & SaaS · since 2003 · Exited 2007 (minority, unlisted)
- XPIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 2001 · Exited 2004 (majority, unlisted)
- HealthTech · since 2000 · Exited 2016 (majority, unlisted)
- EdbroIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 1998 · Exited 2012 (majority, unlisted)
- SonovisionIndustrial & Manufacturing · since 1998 · Exited 2005 (majority, unlisted)
People
- Thomas de MetzDirecteur d’investissement · source
- Lorène MartelPrésidente · source
- Charles VilgrainManaging Partner · source
- Claire BenoistSecrétaire Générale – DAF · source
- Charles des AulnoisAssocié · source
- Thibaud MorinDirecteur · source
- Miloud ChahlafiOperating Partner · source
- Arthur LetempleAssociate · source
- Jean-Philippe CavallierSecrétaire Général Adjoint · source
- Sébastien GrélardResponsable Comptable · source
- Patrick FintaComptable · source
- Josée ScholléAssistante de Direction · source
- Virginie PinchemailAssistante d’Accueil · source
- Guillaume d’HautevilleChairman of the Supervisory Board · source
- Pierre MartelMember of the Supervisory Board · source
- Olivier SibonyMember of the Supervisory Board · source
- Patrick BuffetMember of the Supervisory Board · source
Frequently asked questions
Caravelle is a family holding based in Paris, France, founded in 1995.
Caravelle invests on behalf of the Martel family family.
Caravelle invests its own capital into companies. Its stated asset mix includes private equity and direct investments.
Caravelle invests at Buyout stage in Industrial & Manufacturing and HealthTech.
Key people at Caravelle include Lorène Martel (Présidente), Charles Vilgrain (Managing Partner), Claire Benoist (Secrétaire Générale – DAF) and Charles des Aulnois (Associé).
Caravelle's holdings and investments include Kestrel Vision, Visionix (Luneau Technology), Mayoly, Belambra, Naturex, Cooper, Benalu and Marrel, among others.
The most recent publicly reported investment by Caravelle is Mayoly Spindler (Minority stake alongside Capza, closed with Mayoly's acquisition of Ipsen Consumer HealthCare), announced in Jul 2022.
No. Caravelle invests its own capital and does not raise money from outside investors.