KFB Technologies returns to founders’ hands. Funds pleased with profit

KFB Technologies has been bought out by its managers and original founders, Katarzyna and Filip Barański. The funds Nunatak Capital and Lowercap have exited the shareholder structure. Their leaders are satisfied with the investment, though they declined to disclose details.

KFB was founded over 16 years ago and develops technologies in the field of acoustics, including tools for monitoring and mitigating industrial noise.

As reported in December, KFB began a process of significant transformation. At that time, the company rebranded from KFB Acoustics to KFB Technologies, launched a new technological platform, and its founders and then-managers, Filip Barański and Katarzyna Barańska, announced a broader product and acquisition offensive.

One of the acquisitions is, in fact, their own company.

KFB bought out from funds

The founders of KFB Technologies have just completed the purchase of 100% of shares from their previous investors. In recent years, the company had received investments from Nunatak Capital and the Lower Silesian Development Fund, now operating as Lowercap Capital. According to the 2024 financial statements, the funds held approximately 17.5% of the shares. Nunatak paid PLN 3 million in 2022 for a 7.36% stake.

"The management buyout took place as the funds’ planned investment period was coming to an end. Instead of seeking new investors, the KFB founders chose to buy out the existing ones and continue implementing the company’s established growth strategy. However, the parties did not agree to disclose the terms of the transaction," explains Filip Barański, CEO and co-founder of KFB Technologies.

Currently, as Filip Barański confirms – and as can also be verified in corporate registry data – the investors have exited, and full control of the company has returned to the founders. The CEO describes this move as a strategic preparation for the next stages of the company’s development.

Filip Barański assures that the investors could enjoy an “above-standard return” on their investment.

“Nunatak Capital and Lowercap played a key role during the phase of intensive growth for our company. They supported us with both capital and know-how in building our technological base and research infrastructure,” adds Filip Barański.

KFB reflects on its investments

During several years of investment, the funds supported the development of KFB Technologies, including the construction of an R&D center in Domasław, near Wrocław. The capital was also used to develop new research methodologies and strengthen expertise in environmental assessments. Last year, the company launched the AI-based RAFA platform, enabling enterprises to manage their environmental impact comprehensively.

According to Filip Barański, the management buyout is a natural step following a period of rapid growth and the achievement of the company’s strategic goals.

“Today, with a strong market position and a well-established brand, we are planning the next stage of development: accelerating international expansion and building strategic partnerships, including through the acquisition of foreign companies,” declares the CEO.

At present, the sole shareholders of KFB are Katarzyna Barańska and Filip Barański.

Investors pleased with supporting KFB

“KFB Technologies is an example of a very consistently executed investment strategy in the field of innovative technologies,” comments Krzysztof Górka, CEO of Lowercap, on the investment.

He emphasizes that the fund achieved its shared business objectives.

“We concluded our investment, which began in 2021, with a satisfactory return. Our capital contribution and the involvement of additional investors enabled, among other things, the construction of one of Europe’s most advanced acoustics centers. Today, KFB Technologies is excellently positioned for the next stage of growth as a global provider of innovative environmental solutions,” adds Mr. Górka.

Lowercap is a vehicle established by the Lower Silesian Development Fund, aimed at investing knowledge and capital in the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Lower Silesia.

“Investing in KFB Technologies allowed us to support a team that consistently turned advanced innovation into tangible business results. Since early 2022, we have jointly implemented a series of initiatives that significantly increased operational scale and strengthened the company’s technological edge,” says Piotr Ciżkowicz, CEO of Nunatak Capital, the second KFB investor.

He notes that KFB Technologies leaves the portfolio as a mature entity, with a unique R&D infrastructure and full readiness for further expansion in global markets.

What KFB is preparing next

KFB’s operations currently rest on two pillars. The first is supporting industrial companies in managing their environmental emissions. The second is research and development – based in laboratories near Wrocław – focused on client product development and optimizing quality in terms of noise, vibration, and emissions.

Now, KFB aims to expand client services in the environmental technology sector. To this end, it has launched the RAFA platform, and acquisitions are also on the agenda, targeting both consulting and technology firms.

RAFA enables comprehensive monitoring and management of emissions to both external environments and workstations. The system consists of several integrated modules, providing end-to-end oversight and analytics. Its core component is a central database, which the CEO describes as equivalent to an “environmental SAP or Comarch.”

Key Takeaways

1. Looking ahead, KFB plans to accelerate international expansion and pursue growth through acquisitions, targeting both consulting and technology firms. The company’s operations currently rest on two pillars: supporting industrial clients in managing emissions and conducting research and development focused on noise, vibration, and emissions. The RAFA platform is set to become a central tool in establishing KFB’s position as a global provider of environmental solutions.
2. KFB Technologies is now fully back under the control of its founders, Katarzyna and Filip Barański, who have acquired 100% of shares from the funds Nunatak Capital and Lowercap Capital. The investors, present in the company for several years, collectively held around 17.5% of the shares and report that they exited with a satisfactory return. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The management describes the buyout as a strategic move, opening a new phase in the company’s development.
3. The funds’ capital played a key role in expanding KFB’s technological base and research infrastructure. During the investment period, an R&D center was established in Domasław, near Wrocław. New research methodologies were developed, and expertise in environmental assessments was strengthened. At the same time, the company launched the AI-based RAFA platform, designed to help enterprises manage their environmental impact comprehensively.