Darktrace, a UK-based cybersecurity firm, has agreed to a £5.3 billion ($7 billion) takeover by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The deal, which represents one of the largest acquisitions of a British technology company, will see Darktrace delisted from the London Stock Exchange and taken private by Thoma Bravo. Darktrace's co-founder and former Autonomy boss Mike Lynch, who is facing extradition to the US on fraud charges, stands to receive £300 million from the deal, while Darktrace's CEO Poppy Gustafsson is set to gain £24 million.
Thoma Bravo's acquisition of Darktrace marks a significant investment in the cybersecurity sector, with Darktrace being a prominent player in the field of artificial intelligence-driven security technology. The agreement between Darktrace and Thoma Bravo has been met with positive reactions from investors, as Darktrace's stock price surged after news of the acquisition broke.
The takeover deal has sparked discussions among industry experts and analysts about the implications for the future of cybersecurity and the UK tech sector. While some view the acquisition as a success story for Darktrace and a testament to its growth and potential, others see it as a loss for the UK tech industry, raising concerns about the departure of a major player from the London Stock Exchange.
Overall, the acquisition of Darktrace by Thoma Bravo signifies a major milestone for both companies and the cybersecurity industry as a whole, underscoring the growing importance of cybersecurity in the digital age and the attractiveness of AI-driven technologies in safeguarding against cyber threats.