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Helix has sold a majority stake to MiddleGround Capital, allowing the company to expand product development, increase production, and enter new markets, including North America.
Key Highlights:
- MiddleGround Capital, a US private equity firm, acquires majority stake in Helix.
- New capital to boost product development, production, and market expansion.
- Helix’s technology applied in motorsport, eVTOL aircraft, high-performance vehicles, and watercraft.
Integral Powertrain Ltd. (“Helix”), a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electric motors, high-voltage inverters, and integrated electric drive units, has sold a majority ownership stake to MiddleGround Capital. This operationally-focused private equity firm specializes in North American and European middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies.
Helix’s founding shareholders will stay on, using the new investment to increase production, invest in product development, and expand into new markets, particularly North America. Headquartered in Milton Keynes, UK, Helix is a top supplier of high-performance electric powertrains, including high-power-density electric motors, inverters, and electric drive units, all engineered and manufactured in-house.
Helix’s technologies have already made significant strides in several high-growth electric mobility markets, including:
- Motorsport: Formula E
- Hypercars and supercars: Czinger 21c, Aston Martin Valkyrie
- eVTOL aircraft: Partnering with a New Zealand-based space company
- High-performance motorcycles and watercraft: Seabird technologies in the E1 Race Series
“For 15 years, Helix has been a pioneer in the realization of powerful, compact, efficient electric drive systems enabling our clients to achieve outstanding, often record-breaking products,” said Darren Cairns, Helix Director and CEO. “With MiddleGround’s operational expertise and guidance, I am confident that we will have the necessary tools to continue to ramp up growth efforts and reach a wider range of clients at a greater scale.”
MiddleGround Capital brings extensive experience in the high-performance motorsport sector through its portfolio, including Xtrac, New Eagle, and Race Winning Brands. The investment in Helix marks MiddleGround’s fourth European transaction since opening its Amsterdam office in January 2023.
“Our investment in Helix represents a continuation of our strategy of partnering with leading companies aligned with our Mobility Thesis, particularly given their pioneering, high-performance motor and inverter technology,” said John Stewart, MiddleGround Founding Partner. “The Company is well-positioned to scale its product offerings and expand its addressable market, capitalizing on the shift towards electric vehicles. We are very excited to lend our deep operational experience to their talented team, and to assist them in reaching their next stage of growth.”
Helix is recognized as a trusted source for high-performance electric propulsion solutions, known for strong design and engineering capabilities. MiddleGround aims to enhance Helix’s commercial strategy, build production capacity, implement procurement best practices, invest in new product development, and expand into new markets and product segments within the United States.
Advisors: EMW served as legal advisor, and Dial LLP served as financial advisor to Helix.
About Helix: Based in Milton Keynes, UK, Helix is a manufacturer of power-dense electric motors and inverters. They supply premium electric powertrains for electric and hybrid cars, motorcycles, boats, and next-gen industrial and aerospace applications. Helix employs around 200 people and operates across three sites in Milton Keynes.
About MiddleGround Capital: A private equity firm based in Lexington, Kentucky, MiddleGround Capital manages over $3.5 billion in assets. The firm makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution businesses, partnering with management teams to support long-term growth strategies.
For more information, visit Helix and MiddleGround Capital.
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