Boss Insights - Tech M&A Round Up - 20th November 2020

Accenture Acquires Arca to Bolster its 5G Network Capabilities
Madrid – 20th November 2020 – Accenture has acquired Arca, a Spanish engineering services company. Arca provides multidisciplinary services for network operations — including activities to engineer, design, deploy, and manage telecom infrastructure — supported by an integrated platform that automates network monitoring, optimizes processes and predicts system anomalies. The combination of these capabilities with Accenture’s SynOps platform will advance Accenture’s ability to help organizations pivot operating models to new sources of growth. Manish Sharma, Group Chief Executive of Accenture Operations, said: “The transformation required for industrial sectors to modernize systems, processes, products and services will only be possible with deep expertise of the underlying networks that support these disruptive technologies. Arca’s vast experience with network services fully complements Accenture’s strategy of driving shared value with clients through the collaboration of human ingenuity and digital technology. Together, we will help clients adapt their operating model, expand the skills of their people and drive innovation to unlock the full potential of 5G.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/accenture-acquires-arca-to-bolster-its-5g-network-capabilities.htm

IBM to Acquire Instana as Company Continues to Advance its Hybrid Cloud and AI Strategy
Armnk, New York – 18th November 2020 - IBM has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Instana, an application performance monitoring and observability company. The acquisition will help businesses better manage the complexity of modern applications that span the hybrid cloud landscape. The acquisition further advances IBM's Hybrid Cloud and AI strategy and strengthens its AI-powered automation capabilities. Financial details were not disclosed. With the acquisition of Instana, IBM will help companies overcome the challenge of managing application performance across multiple teams, and across 2 to 15 clouds, on average.i And it is another example of how IBM is building on its AI-powered automation capabilities.
https://newsroom.ibm.com/2020-11-18-IBM-to-Acquire-Instana-as-Company-Continues-to-Advance-its-Hybrid-Cloud-and-AI-Strategy

IBM to Acquire SAP Consulting Partner TruQua
Armonk, New York – 16th November 2020 - As part of IBM's hybrid cloud growth strategy to drive digital transformation for clients, IBM has announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire TruQua Enterprises, LLC, an IT services and consulting SAP development partner that specializes in delivering finance and analytics solutions to Fortune 500 companies. This acquisition enhances IBM's expertise in migrating financial platforms to SAP to help businesses modernize their financial processes and be at the forefront of industry innovation. The shift from legacy enterprise systems and siloed processes to cloud-based integrated and streamlined finance functions such as cash flow, budgeting, and consolidations is critical in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. TruQua will enable IBM to broaden its consulting expertise and capabilities to help clients implement SAP solutions that will improve and automate financial management workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and, ultimately, drive an enterprise-wide transformation through the adoption of SAP S/4HANA, the latest generation of SAP's ERP business suite. Financial terms were not disclosed.
https://newsroom.ibm.com/2020-11-16-IBM-to-Acquire-SAP-Consulting-Partner-TruQua

Synopsys Acquires Precision Optical Measurements Provider LIGHT TEC
Mountain View, California – 19th November 2020 - Synopsys, Inc. has announced it has acquired Light Tec, a global provider of optical scattering measurements and measurement equipment. The combination of Synopsys' optical design software tools with Light Tec's solutions expands customer access to precision light scattering data for materials and media used in optical systems. This acquisition enables Synopsys to continuously augment the materials and media software libraries provided in their optical software products for faster, physics-based system modeling. Customers are able to save time and decrease product development costs by having instant access to these libraries, rather than characterizing materials or media manually, or paying for a third-party service to perform measurements. Additionally, customers have the option to purchase solutions from Synopsys to measure their own optical samples and import custom data into Synopsys optical software tools. The terms of the deal, which are not material to Synopsys' financials, are not being disclosed.
https://news.synopsys.com/2020-11-19-Synopsys-Acquires-Precision-Optical-Measurements-Provider-LIGHT-TEC

ECI Software Solutions to Be Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners; Funds Advised by Apax Partners to Retain Minority Stake
Fort Worth, Texas – 19th November 2020 - ECI Software Solutions (ECI), a specialist in cloud-based business management software solutions for small and medium sized companies, has announced that Leonard Green & Partners (LGP) will acquire a majority stake in the company from funds advised by Apax Partners and The Carlyle Group. Upon completion of the transaction, funds advised by Apax Partners, which acquired ECI in 2017, will retain a minority stake in ECI. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. ECI is a provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, such as accounting, purchasing, warehousing and inventory management, to more than 22,000 customers globally. Under the Apax Funds' and Carlyle's ownership, ECI has experienced rapid growth, both organically and through strategic M&A. Since 2017, ECI has made 15 acquisitions, helping it gain significant market share and scale internationally, with sizeable transactions in Europe and Australia consolidating its presence in those regions.
https://www.ecisolutions.com/en-gb/news/eci-software-solutions-to-be-acquired-by-leonard-green-partners-funds-advised-by-apax-partners-to-retain-minority-stake/

FastSpring Acquires SalesRight to Support Next Generation of Software Ecommerce
Santa Barbara, California – 19th November 2020 - FastSpring, a full-service ecommerce partner for software and SaaS companies, has announced its acquisition of SalesRight, a SaaS solution that provides interactive quoting and digital signature tools for B2B sales teams. The addition of SalesRight enables FastSpring to expand its capabilities with a unified ecommerce solution for B2C and B2B software businesses. In a blog announcing the acquisition, FastSpring CEO, David Nachman, said: “As we welcome SalesRight to FastSpring, we believe this acquisition supports our vision and strategy to broaden our solution and be the leading ecommerce solution for software companies selling to both businesses and consumers.” He added: “The similarities in strategic vision and company culture are two of the most exciting and inspiring aspects of this combination, as we jointly build the software commerce platform of the future.” While the two companies integrate, the SalesRight team will continue to operate out of their Nova Scotia HQ.
https://fastspring.com/blog/fastspring-acquires-salesright/

Autodesk Acquires Spacemaker: Offers Architects AI-powered Generative Design to Explore Best Urban Design Options
San Rafael, California – 17th November 2020 - Autodesk University – Autodesk, Inc. has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Spacemaker for $240 million net of cash. Based in Oslo, Norway, Spacemaker uses cloud-based, artificial intelligence (AI), and generative design to help architects, urban designers, and real estate developers make more informed early-stage design decisions faster and enables improved opportunities for sustainability from the start. By evaluating the best options from the outset, Spacemaker helps architects maximize their clients' long-term property investments. The acquisition of Spacemaker provides Autodesk with a powerful platform to drive modern, user-centric automation - powered by AI - and accelerate outcome-based design capabilities for architects. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during Autodesk's fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, ending January 31, 2021.
https://adsknews.autodesk.com/pressrelease/autodesk-aquires-spacemaker

Clearlake Capital-backed Zywave Acquires Insurance Data Technology Provider Advisen Milwaukee – 17th November 2020 – Insurance technology provider, Zywave, has announced the acquisition of Advisen, provider of data, media and technology solutions for the commercial property and casualty insurance market. Combined with Zywave’s existing portfolio of solutions, the acquisition reinforces Zywave’s position in the P&C market, both in the United States and Europe. Chief Executive Officer of Zywave, Jason Liu, commented: “We are thrilled to make this announcement, which signifies one of the most powerful partnerships in the commercial space. Not only does the Advisen acquisition further broaden and deepen our product portfolio, but it also significantly bolsters our ongoing expansion into both the P&C and international markets.” Founded in 2000, Advisen is headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in the United Kingdom and Philippines. It serves an impressive client roster of more than 300 enterprises across the commercial insurance value chain and comprises three business segments.
https://www.zywave.com/news/clearlake-capital-backed-zywave-acquires-advisen-a-preeminent-insurance-data-technology-provider-further-bolstering-its-market-leading-position/

Onit Acquires New Zealand-based McCarthyFinch to Drive Innovation with Artificial Intelligence and Workflow Automation
Houston – 17th November 2020 – Onit, Inc., a provider of enterprise workflow solutions including enterprise legal management, contract lifecycle management and workflow automation, has announced that the company has acquired McCarthyFinch and its artificial intelligence platform that accelerates contract reviews and approvals by up to 70% and increases user productivity by more than 50%. The technology will become an integral component of Onit’s new artificial intelligence platform Precedent, and the company’s first release on the platform will be ReviewAI. “Our vision is to build AI into our workflow platform and every product across the Onit and SimpleLegal product portfolios,” stated Eric M. Elfman, Onit CEO and co-founder. “AI will have an active role in everything from enterprise legal management to legal spend management and contract lifecycle management, resulting in continuous efficiencies and cost savings for corporate legal departments. Historically, legal departments have been thought of as black boxes where requests go in and information, decisions or contracts come out with no real transparency. AI has the potential to enhance transparency and contribute to stronger enterprisewide business collaboration in a way that conserves a lawyer’s valuable time.”
https://www.onit.com/news/onit-acquires-mccarthyfinch/

Stride, Inc. Expands Ability to Meet Demands of IT Skills Gap with Acquisition of Tech Elevator
Albuquerque, New Mexico - 17th November 2020 - Herndon, Virginia -  K12 Inc. (to be Stride, Inc. effective December 16, 2020) –has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tech Elevator, a proven innovator in supporting individuals and companies seeking to develop in-demand coding skills and talent. Alongside Stride’s subsidiary Galvanize, Tech Elevator will help more individuals gain access to careers in technology by expanding on the company’s student demographic profile, geographic footprint, and hiring partner portfolio. Stride’s acquisition of Tech Elevator comes at a time when the demand for IT talent is particularly strong. Despite the recession, the employment outlook for software engineers remains strong, likely due to the growth in mobile technology and cyber security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects employment of software developers to grow 22 percent by 2029 across diverse industries. Commenting on the deal, Nate Davis, Stride’s CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “Bringing the Tech Elevator team, their passion, and expertise into the Stride ecosystem will strengthen our ability to address the nation’s technology skills gap. By providing training and talent to individuals and enterprises across diverse industries and in new markets, we will open a world of possibility to professionals of all skill levels, from entry-level coders to senior developers.”
https://s26.q4cdn.com/126400783/files/doc_news/Ed-Tech-Leader-K12-Inc.-Becomes-Stride-Inc-2020.pdf

20 November 2020
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