Investment Will Further Accelerate Organic and Acquisition Growth
Sectigo, a leading provider of automated digital identity management and web security solutions, announced today a definitive agreement to be acquired by GI Partners, a leading private investment firm. GI Partners will support the acceleration of Sectigo’s security innovations and growth as the company expands worldwide.
Bill Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sectigo, said, “It has been a pleasure partnering with the Francisco Partners team over the past few years and we look forward to working with GI Partners as we write the next chapter of Sectigo’s story. The GI Partners team has a strong track record of helping technology companies expand through organic growth acceleration, M&A, and investments to support innovation. We have built a strong foundation as a leader in the cybersecurity market and are excited to work with GI Partners to continue delivering value to our customers and partners through automation, products, and acquisitions.”
Sectigo provides digital identity solutions to more than 700,000 businesses around the world. Founded in 1998, the company has been operating as an independent company since Francisco Partners acquired the business in 2017. Sectigo has over 20 years of experience deploying TLS/SSL certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) management solutions. The company’s award-winning automated certificate management platform and web security products are available through retail and enterprise channels, as well as a network of more than 1,200 partners worldwide.
Read More: Creating effective cybersecurity playbook
David Mace, Managing Director of GI Partners, said: “We have known Sectigo for years, and the company represents a highly attractive opportunity to invest in a mission-critical component of the cybersecurity sector. We were drawn to the company’s strong growth profile, differentiated market positioning, and industry-leading executive management. We look forward to supporting Bill and his team as they accelerate growth while continuing to deliver operational excellence.”
Dipanjan “DJ” Deb, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Decker, Partner at Francisco Partners, said, “Francisco Partners has enjoyed our partnership with the Sectigo management team during our ownership. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and we wish the company continued success as they begin a new chapter with GI Partners.”
Read More: Developing an employee-centric cybersecurity policy
Bill Conner, Sectigo Board Chairman and CEO of SonicWall, Inc., said, “Today marks an exciting day for Sectigo and a proud moment for me personally. I congratulate Bill Holtz and the entire Sectigo management team on their plans to join forces with GI Partners as they pursue an accelerated growth path. As chairman of Sectigo, I have enjoyed collaborating with this top-notch group of innovators, including Francisco Partners, for three years. The future is bright for Sectigo as the company builds on its impressive position as a digital identity and web security solutions leader.”
The transaction is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2020 following completion of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
UBS Securities LLC acted as lead financial advisor to Sectigo on the transaction. Jefferies LLC acted as sole financial advisor to GI Partners
