EQT’s Major Stake in Acronis: Cybersecurity Investment Heats Up

Hot Take:

Move over, IPOs! Private equity is the new black. EQT’s majority stake in Acronis proves that cybersecurity is hotter than a laptop on a sunbathing session. Investors are swarming, and Acronis is cashing in while keeping their servers cool and their wallets warm.

Key Points:

• EQT acquires a majority stake in Acronis, a major player in data protection and cloud security.
• Transaction details remain confidential, but the valuation exceeds Acronis’s previous $3.5 billion.
• Acronis boasts over 20,000 service providers and 750,000+ businesses using its solutions.
• Acronis’s cloud business is growing at an annual recurring revenue rate of 40%.
• The founders and some existing investors retain minority stakes, focusing more on new ventures.

Private Equity: The New IPO

While the IPO window is about as open as a bank vault on a Sunday, private equity deals are becoming the go-to escape hatch for tech companies. EQT’s acquisition of a majority stake in Acronis shows just how attractive the cybersecurity sector is. It’s like finding a unicorn in your backyard, only this one protects your data from cyber goblins.

Valuation Secrets: Bigger Than Your Last Raise

EQT and Acronis are playing coy about the exact numbers, but we know this: Acronis is now worth more than its last disclosed valuation of $3.5 billion. It’s like when you tell your friends you got a “big” bonus but refuse to say how much—you know it’s impressive, but the specifics are classified.

From Singapore to Switzerland: Acronis’s Global Odyssey

Started in 2003 as a Singaporean spinoff of Parallels, Acronis has come a long way. Now nestled in Switzerland, it’s grown from a data recovery specialist to a one-stop-shop for all things cybersecurity. It’s like the James Bond of data protection, only with more servers and fewer martinis.

Cloudy with a Chance of Profits

Acronis’s cloud business is growing faster than your neighbor’s zucchini garden, with a 40% annual recurring revenue growth rate. The company’s solutions are now used by 20,000 service providers and over 750,000 businesses. That’s like having a fan club the size of a small country.

Founders’ New Playground: The Constructor Group

With EQT now on board, Acronis’s founders, Serg Bell and Stanislav Protassov, are shifting some focus to their new toy—the Constructor Group, which aims to play in the sandbox of AI and metaverse applications. Think of it as moving from building sandcastles to creating virtual empires.

Acronis’s Future: Full Speed Ahead

Acronis plans to keep on trucking with EQT’s financial backing. CEO Ezequiel Steiner expressed his excitement about the new partnership and thanked the team and existing investors for their support. It’s like thanking your pit crew after winning a Formula 1 race—everyone’s got a part to play.

Conclusion: Cybersecurity’s Star is Rising

This deal is a testament to cybersecurity’s growing importance and the lucrative opportunities it presents. With EQT’s support, Acronis is set to scale new heights, all while keeping our data safer than a squirrel’s winter stash. Investors, take note—cybersecurity is the golden goose that’s laying golden eggs.