Leading software investment firm Thoma Bravo announced the acquisition of a majority stake in USU Product Business. Combining Thoma Bravo’s extensive experience and global software investment expertise with USU’s product portfolio is expected to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory and enhance its ability to deliver innovative solutions to customers. And USU Product will continue to operate under the leadership of its existing management team. Benjamin Strehl, currently Co-CEO of USU Software AG, will become CEO of USU Product and Bernhard Oberschmidt will join the board of directors.
USU Product offers customers around the world with IT management solutions that enable mastery of disparate IT landscapes and workflows. And the company has served as a strategic partner to clients by enabling them to lower cost, increase productivity, and manage growing technological complexity.
Thoma Bravo’s extensive network and industry experience will support USU in the development of its product portfolio and the expansion of its geographical footprint, with the goal of making USU Product a leading pan-European provider of IT management solutions.
Thoma Bravo will invest in USU Product along with USU Software AG to accelerate the business’s growth. USU founder Udo Strehl and the Strehl family remain committed to the product business and will contribute to its future growth path. Going forward, the product business, comprising its leading IT Service Management, IT Asset Management, IT Operations Management and Knowledge Management products, will be an independent entity.
The deal is part of Thoma Bravo’s strategic expansion into the German market and its commitment to investing in the growth of innovative software companies across Europe. And the deal is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approval.
Guggenheim is the exclusive investment bank advising USU on the transaction, Heuking is serving as legal advisor to USU and RSM Ebner Stolz supported USU with a financial fact book. Raymond James is serving as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to Thoma Bravo.
KEY QUOTES:
“With its expertise in software, collaborative culture and passion for investing in companies that deliver transformative technologies, Thoma Bravo is the right partner to enhance our market offering and support our growth ambitions. Together, we can create more value for our customers by enhancing our USU platform and solution offering and expanding our partnership program.”
- Bernhard Oberschmidt, CEO of USU Software AG
“We are thrilled to invest in USU and intend to help build on USU’s storied legacy, unwavering commitment to customers, and product-centricity while helping the team scale further. We look forward to working with Bernhard and Benjamin, and their team to further grow their business through innovation and M&A.”
- David Tse, a Senior Vice President at Thoma Bravo
“Our investment in USU marks the second transaction in the DACH region within one year. We see Germany as a significant growth market with strong technology and are excited to support this ecosystem with another investment. Thoma Bravo’s investment in USU Product aligns with our broader strategy of working with market-leading software companies to drive transformative growth.”
- Irina Hemmers, a Partner at Thoma Bravo
