Richard Weihart, Co-Founder and CEO, announces the restructuring of Barkene Group’s shareholding structure, with Astorg joining alongside the management team as Montefiore Investment exits.
Founded in late 2018, Barkene Group has established itself as a leading player in the French security market by bringing together recognised SMEs across the country. The Group provides comprehensive security solutions for businesses, with expertise across three core areas: electronic security, fire safety and automated access systems.
Alongside Montefiore, the management team has pursued a buy-and-build strategy, completing and integrating 16 strategic acquisitions. As a result, Barkene grew from inception to €110 million in revenue in 2025.
Barkene’s management team has built a distinctive model combining technical expertise, operational excellence, proximity to customers and agility, serving nearly 18,000 clients across France.
With nearly 800 employees across 39 branches, the Group is now entering a new phase of development. Astorg is joining its shareholding structure, succeeding Montefiore, to support the Group’s continued growth.
Montefiore is handing over a business with strong fundamentals, built on a model of profitable and sustainable growth. This next phase aims to support the management team’s ambitions to consolidate Barkene’s national leadership and accelerate its expansion across Europe.
The transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.
“Montefiore has been much more than an investor: they have been a true sparring partner from day one. They believed in our project when it was nothing more than a vision and took the bold decision to build a group from scratch. Their strategic, tactical and operational support was instrumental in growing the business from zero to 800 employees in seven years. Today, we are opening a new chapter with Astorg, whose ambitions match our own. Driven by the commitment of our people, we will continue to roll out the proven model that has brought us this far, built on operational excellence, technical expertise and strong local presence. Our conviction remains unwavering: Barkene has everything it takes to become one of Europe’s leading security groups in the years ahead.”
Richard Weihart, Co-Founder and CEO of Barkene Group
“We are very proud to have supported Richard and his team in building a leading security group in France. We are now passing the baton to Astorg, which is ideally positioned to build on the momentum achieved and support Barkene in its ambition to become a leading European player.”
Gautier Devignes, Partner at Montefiore Investment
About Montefiore Investment
Founded in 2005, Montefiore Investment is a leading investor in French small and mid-sized service businesses. With a team of more than 80 professionals, the firm leverages its sector expertise and investment know-how to successfully support companies in their growth and development projects.
Montefiore Investment has demonstrated its ability to transform small and mid-sized businesses into leading European players. Its track record has established the firm as a key reference in the French mid-market private equity sector.
With offices in Paris, Milan and Madrid, Montefiore Investment currently manages €5 billion in assets and invests between €20 million and €200 million in equity per transaction to support the sustainable and profitable growth of its portfolio companies.
Since 2021, through Starquest, Montefiore has also established itself as a leading investor in France’s Greentech sector.
About Barkene Group
Founded in 2018, Barkene is a leading French provider of integrated security solutions for commercial and professional buildings. The Group serves more than 18,000 clients across sectors including banking, industry, retail and local government, helping protect their assets and people.
With a nationwide network of 39 branches and the expertise of 800 employees, Barkene offers an integrated range of services covering the entire value chain, from consulting and installation to maintenance and APSAD P5-certified remote monitoring. The Group operates across three areas of expertise: electronic security (video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection), fire safety and automated access systems.
Driven by a commitment to technical excellence and strong local presence, Barkene acts as a trusted partner, helping businesses maintain operational continuity and peace of mind across France.
