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Novacap to Acquire Integral Ad Science in $1.9 Billion Deal

/in /tarafından

Private equity firm Novacap will acquire Integral Ad Science (IAS) in a deal that values the digital advertising verification company at roughly $1.9 billion, IAS announced on Wednesday.

Novacap, which manages more than $10 billion in assets, will purchase all outstanding IAS shares for $10.30 each in cash. The offer represents a premium of about 22% over the company’s last closing price. IAS shares jumped around 20% in premarket trading following the news.

The transaction, expected to close by year’s end, reflects a broader trend of private equity firms buying up software and technology companies amid rising bets that artificial intelligence will fuel significant growth.

Other major firms, such as Thoma Bravo, have also been active in recent months, acquiring companies including Verint Systems, a customer engagement platform, and HR software provider Dayforce.

IAS specializes in ad verification, fraud detection, and optimization services for brands and agencies, helping ensure that digital campaigns are both effective and accurately targeted. Once the acquisition is complete, IAS will transition into a privately held company.

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.

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

/in /tarafından

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.