Signet Bank finances the growth of Latvian private equity firm Global Champs through the acquisition of a mushroom farming company in Lithuania

Global Champs, a Latvian-owned company, has acquired Baltic Champs, a Lithuanian mushroom cultivation company, from the Lithuanian agricultural group Auga Group, supported by EUR 5 million in financing provided by Signet Bank.

Baltic Champs is one of the largest and most advanced mushroom producers in the Baltic region. The company cultivates and wholesales fresh mushrooms across the Baltic States, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Poland, and also supplies compost used in mushroom cultivation throughout Lithuania.

Global Champs’ strategic objective is to ensure the company’s continued growth by implementing modern production technologies, improving operational processes, and enhancing efficiency, while further strengthening its position in export markets.

“The acquisition of Baltic Champs marks an important milestone for Global Champs as we continue to expand our presence in the agri-food sector. We see strong strategic and operational synergies between Baltic Champs and our existing activities, particularly in the circular economy production model and the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) segment,” says Vladimirs Mhitarjans, Chief Executive Officer of Global Champs.

“Baltic Champs has established solid foundations, a professional team, and a strong market position across the region. Our goal is to support the company’s continued development through the gradual introduction of modern production technologies, process improvements, and enhanced operational efficiency. By working closely with the existing team, we aim to strengthen the company’s competitiveness, thoughtfully expand production capacity, and create long-term value for employees, partners, and customers. We are confident that this transaction provides a solid foundation for sustainable growth and contributes positively to achieving the strategic objectives of the entire group.”

“We are pleased to support the acquisition of Lithuania’s leading mushroom producer by a Latvian company. Signet Bank sees significant potential for the company’s further development, reinforcing its market-leading position in the Baltics and ensuring product supply not only to local markets but also to several Nordic countries. Transactions such as this demonstrate that Latvian entrepreneurs have both the ambition and capability to expand beyond Latvia’s borders and strengthen economic cooperation across the Baltic region. Signet Bank stands ready to support the international expansion ambitions of both Global Champs and other Latvian companies through traditional lending as well as capital market instruments,” comments Roberts Idelsons, Chairman of the Board of Signet Bank.

About Global Champs:

Global Champs UAB is a Lithuanian company established in late 2025 and operates as an investment and development platform for businesses in the agri-food sector. Global Champs positions itself not as a financial investor, but as a strategic owner and developer of agri-food businesses. In its public communications, the company emphasizes long-term business development, modernization of production processes, operational efficiency improvements, sustainable growth, the retention and strengthening of existing teams, and professional development. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to creating long-term value through the development of competitive and sustainable agri-food enterprises.

About Signet Bank:

Signet Bank is Latvia's leading investment bank, founded in 1991 and one of the first independent banks in Latvia. Signet Bank offers sustainable financing and investment solutions to local entrepreneurs and companies. Since 2021, Signet Bank has arranged additional financing of more than EUR 1 billion for more than 50 Latvian companies through bond and share issues, while new lending transactions amounted to EUR 500 million. In 2025, assets under management and administration reached EUR 1.7 billion. Signet Bank is the leading arranger of corporate bond and equity issues in Latvia and one of the leading stock exchange brokers in the Baltics. Signet Bank's shareholders are 47 Latvian and international private investors, the largest of which are Signet Acquisition III (20,6%), whose sole shareholder is US investor Alexander Solovey, SIA Reglink (9,6%), founded by banking professional Irīna Pīgozne, and AS RIT Group (9,5%), a Latvian company owned by the Rapoport family.