ECI exits CSL, generating a 3.5x return

06/10/2025
Read Time: 3 MINUTES

We’re delighted to announce the exit of CSL, the critical IoT connectivity experts, into a continuation fund, representing a return of 3.5x since we first invested in the company in 2020.   

CSL has grown c. 20% organically every year of ECI’s investment, driven by expansion into new geographies and verticals. The business has seen significant growth beyond its building, security and telehealth heritage, moving into other verticals requiring critical connectivity, including the transport and logistics, commercial, retail and hospitality and utilities sectors. This includes winning major new projects, such as being selected by Vodafone as the UK National Lottery Partner. 

Another driver of CSL’s growth is the extension of its product suite, including launching rSIM® in 2024, the world’s first truly resilient and intelligent SIM card that monitors connectivity and actively switches profile for maximum uptime. This is especially important for life-critical, business-critical and mission-critical applications across all verticals. 

As part of ECI’s continuation fund, CSL will continue its expansion strategy, including further delivering on its M&A roadmap to enter new verticals, geographies, or acquire new technologies. 

Were incredibly proud of what we‘ve achieved with ECI’s support over the last five years. Our innovative approach means we continue to evolve our customer offering, and the launch of new products such as rSIM® has been an exciting step forward for the business. CSL today is well positioned to be the market leader in critical connectivity across our regions and geographies and I‘m looking forward to partnering with ECI again as we continue to scale our business.

Ed Heale

CEO of CSL

This is ECI’s first continuation vehicle and was led by existing ECI investors – Carlyle AlpInvest, HarbourVest Partners and Pantheon – demonstrating confidence in CSL continuing its strong growth trajectory. 

We’re proud to have helped facilitate CSL’s impressive performance over the last five years and are looking forward to continuing to support the company’s next growth phaseWe’re very familiar with the cloud and digital sector, with CSL being our fourth investment in the IoT space and a standout business in its market. We are also delighted that ECI’s offering to investors is continuing to evolve through our first Continuation Vehicle.

Chris Watt

Managing Partner, ECI Partners

Advisors:
Lead Financial Advisor: Evercore
Financial Advisor: IA Global Capital
Legal Advisor: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Commercial Due Diligence: OC&C
Financial Due Diligence: PwC
Legal Due Diligence: Squire Patton Boggs LLP
Debt Advisory: Marlborough Partners

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