The founders and management team of NSO Group, a cyber-technology company headquartered in Luxembourg, acquire the company
• The management team is supported by European private equity firm Novalpina Capital
The management team and founders of NSO Group today announced the acquisition of the company from global private equity firm Francisco Partners.
NSO Group develops technology that helps government intelligence and law enforcement agencies prevent and investigate terrorism and crime to save lives. Established from the combination of Israeli and European cyber technology companies, NSO Group has since become a global leader in providing cyber intelligence and analytics solutions to governments. The company has grown rapidly and finished 2018 with revenues of $250 million, and dozens of licensed customers.
The acquisition is led by NSO Group co-founders Shalev Hulio and Omri Lavie, together with members of the company’s senior executive team. A significant number of employees will participate in the acquisition. The founders and management team are supported in the acquisition by Novalpina Capital, a European private equity firm. Jefferies Group LLC is advising and leading the financing.
Shalev Hulio, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NSO Group, said: “This is an important and significant milestone for NSO. I am proud of what the company and our employees have achieved since we were founded in 2010. Together we have built an amazing technology company that is making the world a safer place. As we look forward, we are delighted that Novalpina is joining as our equity partner. Together we can take NSO Group to the next level, launching new cutting-edge products that help our customers reduce the threats from terrorism and crime. I want to thank Francisco Partners for its tremendous support over the past few years. Its guidance has been instrumental to the success of the company.”
Eran Gorev, Operating Partner at Francisco Partners and Chairman of NSO Group, said: “We are very proud of the company’s contribution to the global war against terrorism and crime, and the many thousands of lives that have been saved thanks to the company’s technology. Since our investment in NSO Group, the company has continued to develop its outstanding technological capabilities and has more than quadrupled in size, while implementing a best-in-class business ethics framework and bringing in independent experts to ensure the company was operating in accordance with the highest ethical standards. We would like to thank all the amazing employees of NSO Group for their incredible contribution to the company and to making the world a safer place, and to wish them a highly successful future.”
Stefan Kowski, Partner at Novalpina Capital, said: “NSO Group has an impressive management team that has developed best-in-class, proprietary technologies sold to approved governments and intelligence agencies to help tackle terrorism and organised crime. We look forward to supporting NSO’s leadership as they continue to grow the business.”
About NSO Group
NSO Group is a global leader in the world of cyber-intelligence, data acquisition and analysis. The company’s mission is to equip select intelligence agencies and law enforcement organizations around the world with strategic, tactical and analytical technological capabilities required to ensure the success of their operations in fighting crime and terrorism.
NSO Group solutions are developed and maintained by a team of cyber-intelligence and cellular-communication experts who operate at the forefront of their fields. Their designs constantly evolve to keep pace with an ever-changing cyber world.
NSO Group is committed to the proper use of its technology to help governments strengthen public safety and protect against major security threats. NSO Group’s advanced intelligence solutions are used globally and play a major role in preventing terror activities, combating human trafficking and the war on drugs.
About Francisco Partners
Francisco Partners is a leading global private equity firm that specializes in investments in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Since its launch over 18 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $14 billion in capital and invested in more than 200 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com
About Novalpina Capital
Novalpina Capital is an independent European private equity firm that invests in middle market companies. The Firm was founded by Stephen Peel, Stefan Kowski and Bastian Lueken in 2017. The founding partners bring more than 50 years of combined experience in private equity investing, having held senior positions in the European operations of firms including TPG, Centerbridge and Platinum Equity, and worked together for nearly a decade at TPG.
