Italy's founder and other shareholders said on Friday they would launch an offer to buy out and then to delist the software company, sending RGI shares up more than 2 percent.

Private equity fund 21 Partners and RGI founder Paolo Bernini's holding company, Sirius Holding, said in a statement their offer is subject on acceptances giving them 90 percent of the company's capital.

21 Partners is a private equity group of Alessandro Benetton a member of the Italian textiles-owning family.

The 2.01 euros a share buyout offer will be launched through a vehicle company called Newco Diana SpA, RGI said in a separate statement on Friday. It said commitments to accept the offer total 54.89 percent of the its capital.

RGI shares rose 2.4 percent to 2.01 euros in afternoon trade - matching the offer price.

(Reporting by Danilo Masoni; Editing by Hans Peters)

Software Investment