EQT Private Equity, together with its co-shareholders, to sell Open Systems to Swiss Post

Under EQT’s ownership, Open Systems transformed from a founder-led managed security services provider to a leading integrated network and cyber security company

Since EQT’s acquisition in 2017, Open Systems has almost doubled its revenues and more than tripled its EBITDA, while significantly expanding its product offering to support customers on their network transformation and cybersecurity journey

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe fund (“EQT”), together with its co-shareholders, have agreed to sell Open Systems (“Company”) to Swiss Post.

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Open Systems delivers network and cyber security capabilities in a single cloud-based platform known as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). Open Systems’ innovative SASE Experience eliminates the complexity of secure global connectivity and network management, while providing seamless global 24×7 support. The Company plays a pivotal role in supporting customers globally in their network and cyber security transformation by offering a fully integrated, single-pane-of-glass cloud and software platform and supporting services.

EQT acquired a majority stake in Open Systems in 2017. During EQT’s ownership, the Company almost doubled its sales and more than tripled its EBITDA, while making substantial investments into its technology platform and transforming from a network-focused managed security services provider to a leading SASE player with extensive cyber security capabilities. Open Systems also built a Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) division, which was carved out in 2023 and now operates as a standalone company under the brand Ontinue, which will be retained by EQT. Organic growth was complemented by three strategic add-on acquisitions, including Sqooba, a Swiss provider of data science, AI, cloud, and cyber services founded by the current Open Systems CEO Daniel Neuhaus.

As part of Swiss Post, Open Systems will continue its growth journey under the leadership of Daniel Neuhaus. With the acquisition, Swiss Post strengthens its role as provider of digital communication services by increasing its competences and know-how to support digitally connected businesses in Switzerland.

Daniel Neuhaus, CEO of Open Systems: “I would like to thank EQT for their support over the years and their hands-on involvement in our development. Swiss Post’s investment is a validation of our long-term strategy to become a leading SASE software provider with the best customer experience. With Swiss Post, we have found a sustainable partner in Switzerland who shares our values and will support us in continuously delivering best-in-class technology and services to our customers while continuing to drive innovation.”

Philipp Woerner, Director within EQT Private Equity’s Advisory Team: “We have been continuously impressed by Open Systems’ track record of technological innovation in the network and cyber security space. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the management team led by Daniel, Open Systems delivers attractive technology and services from Switzerland to its customers globally. We could not have imagined a better future home for Open Systems than Swiss Post to support continuing the strong development.”

Nicole Burth, CEO of Swiss Post Communication Services, said: “Open Systems strongly complements our existing offerings in the area of cybersecurity. The Company is an excellent cultural fit and supports our strategy to bring cybersecurity to our Swiss customers. This makes the network and communication of businesses more efficient and secures it with the unique cloud security solutions Open Systems provides.”

The completion of this transaction is pending customary regulatory approvals and is anticipated to take place in Q4 2024.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

About

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 246 billion in total assets under management (EUR 133 billion in fee-generating assets under management), within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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About Open Systems
Open Systems is a leading provider of native, managed SASE solutions that enable organizations to simply connect and secure hybrid environments to meet their business goals. Backed by our Service Experience Promise, Open Systems’ SASE Experience helps reduce risk, improve efficiency, and accelerate innovation with a comprehensive, easy-to-implement and use combination of SD-WAN and Security Service Edge delivered as a service with a superior user experience. SASE Experience combines SD-WAN, firewall, SWG, CASB, and ZTNA into a framework that supports secure connectivity across cloud and hybrid environments and locations. It provides a comprehensive SASE solution through an easy-to-use customer portal, underpinned with a unified data platform to drive future innovation, all delivered as a 24×7 managed service.

More info: www.open-systems.com
Follow Open Systems on LinkedIn and X/Twitter

About Swiss Post
Swiss Post is a diversified company operating in the communication, logistics, retail financial and passenger transport markets. In the logistics market, its services comprise the delivery of letters, parcels and newspapers, direct marketing and courier, express and goods logistics services, both on the domestic market and abroad. It also offers tailored and comprehensive logistics solutions. In the communication market, it offers digital information solutions for the healthcare sector, authorities and companies. In the retail financial market, its subsidiary PostFinance Ltd offers extensive services for payment transactions, savings, investments, retirement planning and financing solutions, and has had a banking licence since 2013. In the public passenger transport market, its subsidiary PostBus Ltd operates regional, municipal and urban bus services. Swiss Post employs around 46,000 members of staff in Switzerland and generated turnover of 7.279 billion francs in 2023. That same year, it was named the “world’s best postal service” by the Universal Postal Union for the seventh time in a row.

More info: www.swisspost.ch