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Thoma Bravo Prepares $2B Sale of School Safety Firm Raptor Technologies

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Thoma Bravo, a major private equity player with over 70 software companies in its portfolio, is preparing to sell Raptor Technologies, its Houston-based school safety software provider. According to people familiar with the matter, the deal could value Raptor at more than $2 billion. JPMorgan has been tapped to advise on the process, which is expected to begin later this year.

Raptor Technologies develops software for K-12 schools worldwide, offering tools for crisis prevention, emergency response and recovery, and student movement management. Its systems are currently used in 60,000 schools across 55 countries.

The company reportedly generates more than $80 million in EBITDA, making it an attractive acquisition target amid rising demand for school safety technology. In recent years, U.S. schools have increasingly turned to digital safety platforms as violent incidents surge. Data from the K-12 School Shooting Database shows 336 incidents in 2024—just below the record 351 in 2023.

Neither Thoma Bravo, JPMorgan, nor Raptor commented on the potential sale.

Advent International to Acquire Insurance Software Firm Sapiens for $2.5 Billion

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Israeli insurance software provider Sapiens International (SPNS.O) announced on Wednesday that it will be acquired by U.S. private equity firm Advent International for $2.5 billion in cash, as Advent continues its focus on the insurance technology sector amid growing adoption of AI-powered solutions.

DEAL DETAILS

  • Purchase Price: $43.50 per share in cash, representing a 47.5% premium over Sapiens’ last Nasdaq close of $29.50.

  • Ownership Structure: Sapiens will become privately held post-acquisition, while existing shareholder Formula Systems retains a minority stake.

  • Strategic Intent: Advent aims to accelerate Sapiens’ AI and SaaS-driven innovation, enhancing technology and customer-centric solutions for insurers.

INDUSTRY CONTEXT

  • Insurance companies are increasingly deploying AI-powered software to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive profitability.

  • Advent has actively pursued deals in the sector, including exclusive negotiations for Kereis, the leading housing protection insurance broker in France.

STATEMENTS FROM EXECUTIVES

  • Douglas Hallstrom, Advent Director: “Insurers are increasingly turning to technology to help unlock growth and profitability… We will work with Sapiens to accelerate investment into technology innovation, AI, and customer centricity.”

  • Guy Bernstein, CEO of Formula Systems: “Formula will continue to retain ownership in Sapiens and is excited to partner with Advent to accelerate the transition to AI and SaaS.”

RECENT DEAL ATTEMPTS

  • Earlier in August, Advent failed to acquire Spectris, a British scientific instruments maker, after it opted for a rival offer from KKR worth £4.8 billion ($6.48 billion).

CONCLUSION
The acquisition underscores the growing importance of AI and digital transformation in the insurance sector, while marking Advent International’s continued commitment to technology-driven investments in insurance software.

Australia’s Iress Shares Surge on Early Buyout Talks with Blackstone and Thoma Bravo

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Shares of Australian financial software firm Iress jumped up to 15.6% to A$9.69 on Friday, hitting the highest level since January, after the company disclosed early takeover discussions with U.S. investment giant Blackstone and private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The talks come after Blackstone previously made and withdrew a A$1.94 billion ($1.27 billion) takeover offer.

Iress stated it is in early-stage engagement with both firms to explore whether a new offer could be recommended by its board. No new per-share price was disclosed in the latest update. The stock’s rally marks its biggest intraday percentage gain since November 2023, though the current price remains below Blackstone’s earlier A$10.50 per share bid.

The takeover interest follows a broader trend of private equity firms seeking acquisitions in the Australian software sector. Recently, Infomedia agreed to a A$651 million takeover by TPG’s Asia-focused private equity fund.

Iress has a history of takeover attempts, notably a failed A$3 billion bid from Swedish firm EQT in 2021. For fiscal 2024, the company reported a net profit after tax of A$30.1 million and revenues of A$604.6 million.