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Rapid7 Reaches Settlement with Jana Partners, Adds Three New Directors to Board

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Rapid7, a cybersecurity company based in Boston, announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with activist investor Jana Partners to add three new directors to its board. The new members—Wael Mohamed, Mike Burns, and Kevin Galligan—bring expertise in digital transformation, finance, operations, and investment strategies. One of the new directors is a partner from Jana Partners.

CEO Corey Thomas stated that the new additions will help the company refine its strategy, improve execution, and drive greater value for shareholders. Jana Partners’ managing partner, Scott Ostfeld, expressed satisfaction with the engagement, calling it “highly constructive” and noting optimism about Rapid7’s steps to enhance its leadership and operational capabilities.

The settlement comes after ongoing discussions between the two sides about ways to increase Rapid7’s share price, which has been affected by broader economic uncertainties. The company, which specializes in vulnerability management, has faced heightened competition as businesses reduce security spending. Rapid7’s stock has dropped 41% in the past year and 28% this year, reducing its market value to approximately $1.8 billion.

Jana Partners holds a 5.8% stake in Rapid7, amounting to 3.7 million shares, according to a regulatory filing. The company had previously been exploring potential acquisitions with interest from buyout firms such as Advent, Bain Capital, and EQT.

DBS CEO Tan Su Shan Open to ‘Bolt-On’ Acquisitions and Focused on High-Return Businesses

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DBS Group’s incoming CEO, Tan Su Shan, has expressed openness to “bolt-on” acquisitions as part of her strategy to boost the bank’s high-return businesses, particularly wealth and transaction banking. Tan, who will become DBS’ first female CEO and the first appointed from within the bank, will succeed Piyush Gupta on March 28.

Currently the deputy CEO, Tan has been with DBS for 15 years and will take on the leadership role at a time when the bank is posting record annual revenue and profits. However, she will need to navigate global economic and market volatility, including geopolitical uncertainties and potential policy shifts. “We recognize that there will be significant uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment,” Tan said, emphasizing the importance of scenario planning and targeted early warning triggers.

While DBS has a strong presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, India, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia, Tan aims to strengthen the bank’s operations in its existing markets. She emphasized the importance of focusing on these areas rather than expanding too quickly. “We are only interested in bolt-on deals rather than large-scale M&As,” she explained, adding that acquisitions would need to align with DBS’s strategy and offer clear value.

Additionally, Tan is committed to upskilling the bank’s workforce, with a focus on AI and data-related skills. Approximately 13,000 staff members are targeted for upskilling or reskilling, with 10,000 already in training. DBS has also appointed Derrick Goh as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective April 1, to oversee both operations and transformation.

Bitfarms Explores AI Data Center Transition Amid Growing Demand

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anadian bitcoin miner Bitfarms (BITF.TO) is evaluating a potential shift toward artificial intelligence (AI) data centers as demand for high-performance computing (HPC) rises. The Toronto-based company announced on Friday that it has enlisted consulting firms Appleby Strategy Group and World Wide Technology to assess its North American facilities and develop an AI-focused strategy.

Cryptocurrency mining operations possess key assets—large plots of land and substantial power resources—that align with the infrastructure needs of AI data centers. Many miners, including Bitfarms, see an opportunity to capitalize on the AI boom by repurposing some of their facilities. However, critics warn that AI data centers require a higher level of sophistication, making such transitions complex.

The consultants will not only evaluate the feasibility of this pivot but also market Bitfarms’ sites to potential AI customers. This move follows a similar initiative by Riot Platforms (RIOT.O), which recently began reviewing AI and computing applications for parts of its Texas facility.

Bitfarms CEO Ben Gagnon emphasized the financial benefits of diversifying operations, stating that AI and HPC contracts offer “long-term, steady cash flows and earnings streams,” while bitcoin mining continues to provide “flexible upside potential.”