Takeover Offers Submitted for Cyber Group Studios

Newen Studios, Solent Production, Hildegarde and United Smile have submitted bids to acquire Cyber Group Studios.

Cyber Group Studios declared bankruptcy at the end of October. The French Commercial Court set a December 16 deadline for bids for the company’s assets.

United Smile, a toy company that is the licensing partner on Cyber Group’s Gigantosaurus property, has submitted a bid with Toonz Media Group and Hong Kong-based import/export firm Atlas Global. “For United Smile, the toy industry needs to reinvent itself and integrate the ability to produce films and series for children, to broadcast them on the platforms on which children spend most of their free time, and to develop video games, connected toys and immersive experiences in augmented and virtual reality,” the company said in its offer. “Our ambition is to build an independent global leader in leisure content for children and families, with a ‘multi-local’ presence in key markets to take advantage of the different ecosystems, with a business calibrated to be profitable in current market conditions and to be able to grow thanks to the upturn expected in 2027.”

United Smile says it will invest up to €5 million over the next few years to get Cyber Group Studios back on track.

Newen Studios has submitted a bid to acquire just Gigantosaurus, Final Fantasy IX and Zou, which would be managed by its Blue Spirit outfit. “Backed by the expertise, production capacity and international distribution and merchandising capabilities of the group to which it belongs, Blue Spirit is positioning itself on the resumption of these properties to enable their development and exploitation,” Newen’s offer said. “Blue Spirit being a partner of Cyber Group Studios, editorial continuity can be ensured.” Newen has not yet put a value on the offer.

Hildegarde is an investment company founded in 2002 with a foothold in animation already via the Folimage and Les armateurs studios and distribution outfit Gebeka. “Our in-depth knowledge of the animation market, studio management, talent and French and international contacts mean we have a perfect grasp of the challenges involved in taking over Cyber Group Studios.” The company’s offer continued: “Our primary objective will be to enable the group to maintain its status as a key player in animation production and distribution in France and abroad.” The company would invest €10,000 in a new holding company to acquire Cyber Group Studios, to be led by Reginald de Guillebon.

Solent, which was founded by Maxime Bonneau and Gregoire Parcollet, already owns the animation outfit Studio RedFrog. It has been expanding its animation activities since 2022. “The takeover offer is justified by the quality of the production and postproduction teams of Solent and its sister companies and by the clear synergies with the activities of Cyber Group Studios,” Solent said in its takeover offer. “In positioning themselves for the takeover of Cyber Group Studios, the partners of Solent wish to accelerate the development of this business by bringing to bear their experience, their network and their entrepreneurial ambition.” Solent has offered €10,002 to acquire the Cyber Group Studios assets.