Telelink buys UK cybersecurity firm Ideal for €17.2M
What's the deal? Telelink Business ServicesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → Group has acquired UK-based Ideal for over €17.2 million, buying 100% of Ideal Group Holdings Limited and full control of its operating company, Ideal Networks Limited. The Bulgarian technology company said it is one of the largest deals in its history.
What does Ideal do? It designs, deploys, and maintains technology solutions for corporate clients and large buildings, covering network infrastructure, connectivity, information systems security, and the use of artificial intelligence in corporate settings. The acquisition gives Telelink access to a portfolio of corporate clients and large building complexes in the UK.
The terms: The price was set on a locked-box model, fixed against Ideal's audited financials as of December 31, 2025, with standard protections against value leakage before closing. Sellers are founders Claire Hopkins and Moto Shaqouri, plus eight managers who exercised share options ahead of the deal.
How it's financed: Telelink secured a €12 million term bank loan for the acquisition and covered the rest with its own funds. It also took out a warranties and indemnities insurance policy to limit risks tied to the sellers' commitments.
The numbers: In 2025, Ideal posted revenue of £11.81 million (€13.78 million) and normalised EBITDA of £950,000 (about €1.11 million). It ended the year with £2.89 million (€3.31 million) in cash and no financial debt, giving Telelink a stable platform for further UK expansion.
Why now? The deal lands as demand for cybersecurity, cloud connectivity, and AI-based solutions becomes a key driver of corporate technology spending — the intersection where Ideal operates.
The scale of the bet: Telelink shares rose more than 16% in the year to July 2026, pushing its market capitalisation to €67.5 million on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. The acquisition equals roughly a quarter of that valuation.
The signal: For Telelink, the purchase is a substantial wager on international expansion, building a stronger base on one of Europe's most developed and competitive markets rather than simply adding another technology company.
Read more: Forbes Bulgaria
Image credit: ChrisDag
