Thoma Bravo, a private equity firm, has agreed to acquire UK-based cybersecurity company Sophos for $3.9 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.
The acquisition is part of Thoma Bravo`s strategy to invest in cybersecurity companies and capitalize on the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions. Sophos is a leading provider of next-generation cybersecurity solutions, including endpoint protection, network security, and cloud security.
According to Seth Boro, a managing partner at Thoma Bravo, “Sophos has a market-leading product portfolio and talented team that we are thrilled to support as they continue to innovate and grow. We believe that Sophos is well-positioned to address the growing need for advanced cybersecurity solutions and are excited to partner with the company as it enters the next phase of its growth.”
Sophos CEO Kris Hagerman also commented on the merger, stating that “Thoma Bravo has deep sector expertise in cybersecurity software as well as a long and successful track record of partnering with and investing in a number of global software leaders. We look forward to leveraging Thoma Bravo`s expertise as we continue to drive innovation in next-gen cybersecurity.”
The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of both companies and is subject to regulatory approvals. Once the deal is finalized, Sophos will become a private company and will no longer be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
In conclusion, Thoma Bravo`s acquisition of Sophos demonstrates the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions and the importance of investing in innovative companies in the industry. It will be interesting to see how the merger will impact Sophos` product offerings and market position in the years to come.