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Subjects: Product/Service, Funding

Advent International Raises $2 Billion for Global Technology Fund


Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, today announced that it has completed fundraising for Advent Global Technology ("Advent Tech" or the "Fund"), a technology-focused companion fund to its flagship Global Private Equity (GPE) program. Advent Tech exceeded its $1.6 billion target and reached its hard cap of $2 billion after six months in the market.

The debut of the new fund closely follows the completion of fundraising for Advent's ninth global private equity fund, GPE IX, at the hard cap of $17.5 billion, bringing the firm's total capital raised in 2019 to $19.5 billion.

In conjunction with the formation of Advent Tech, Advent has opened an office in Palo Alto, California, establishing an on-the-ground presence in one of the world's leading centers for technology and innovation.

The firm has also expanded its technology investment team by more than 50% in recent months with the addition of seven professionals, including the previously announced appointment of Bryan Taylor as global head of the team. The new recruits bring the total number of technology professionals to 20?located in Palo Alto, New York and London?with plans to further grow the group to more than 25 people in the next 12 months. The team will source, execute and manage technology investments globally for both Advent Tech and GPE IX.

"Advent has a long history of technology investing, and the new fund, office and expanded team represent a deepening of our commitment to the sector," said Bryan Taylor, a Managing Partner at Advent in Palo Alto. "Technology is increasingly important to all industry segments, and we are excited about the benefits these developments will bring to our firm across sectors and around the globe." Mr. Taylor, who joined Advent in February, was previously co-head of TPG Capital's technology group, where he was instrumental in building the firm's software investment capabilities.

Advent has deep technology roots, having started as a technology-focused venture capital investor in the early 1980s. Since establishing its private equity strategy in 1990, the firm has invested in technology companies with a combined enterprise value of over $14 billion worldwide.

Building on this solid foundation, Advent Tech will continue to focus on growth-oriented companies in a variety of software and data subsectors. It will invest primarily in North America and Europe and selectively in other global markets where Advent has an established presence.

Advent Tech will broaden the range of transaction sizes Advent can pursue in the technology sector. On its own, the Fund will have the flexibility to make smaller investments?from $50 million of equity?in disruptive, high-growth emerging businesses. It will also co-invest with GPE IX in mid-sized to large technology companies, with the two funds together able to deploy up to $2 billion or more in a transaction. The funds will consider an array of transaction types, including minority growth equity investments, public-to-private transactions, control buyouts and corporate carve-outs.

"The new dedicated technology fund, combined with the scale and multisector expertise of our GPE program, allows Advent to invest broadly across the technology landscape?from smaller growth equity transactions to larger tech buyouts," said David Mussafer, a Managing Partner at Advent in Boston. "This flexibility is vital in the technology sector, as relationships, intellectual capital and opportunities scale up and down company size."

Advent Tech has already agreed to invest in two companies alongside GPE IX: Definitive Healthcare, the leading U.S. provider of data, intelligence and analytics on the healthcare provider market, and Transaction Services Group, a global company offering business management software and integrated payment solutions to the health-and-fitness and child-care markets.

"These important strategic initiatives strengthen Advent's technology investing capabilities, positioning us strongly for the future," said James Brocklebank, a Managing Partner at Advent in London. "We will be able to draw on the tech team to support our activities in other sectors globally, providing greater visibility on technology disruption, enhanced ability to apply technology-driven value creation plans in our portfolio companies and deeper access to digital and technology expertise."

In addition to Advent Tech and GPE IX, Advent is currently investing its sixth private equity fund focused on buyouts and growth equity investments across Latin America. The 2015-vintage fund, LAPEF VI, is capitalized at $2.1 billion.

This press release is not an offer or solicitation of an offer, or an invitation or inducement, to invest in any Advent International fund. No person may invest in any Advent International fund except in accordance with and subject to the terms of the applicable fund documentation and applicable law.

ABOUT ADVENT INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in over 345 private equity transactions in 41 countries, and as of June 30, 2019, had $54 billion in assets under management. With 15 offices in 12 countries, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 195 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology. After 35 years dedicated to international investing, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.adventinternational.com.



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