Vista Equity Partners Completes Acquisition of KnowBe4
1.2.2023 17:17:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
KnowBe4, Inc. (“KnowBe4”), the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced the completion of its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners (“Vista”), a leading global investment firm focused exclusively on enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses, for $24.90 per share in cash.
“Today’s acquisition is a significant milestone for the entire KnowBe4 team. It’s representative of our achievements to date, as well as our potential for continued long-term growth,” said Stu Sjouwerman, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KnowBe4. “Vista provides the resources and operational expertise to enhance customer value. We’re thrilled to embark on this next chapter and realize our goals for addressing cybersecurity’s weakest link.”
“The human element remains one of the most important yet neglected aspects of cybersecurity,” said Michael Fosnaugh, Co-Head of Vista’s Flagship Fund and Senior Managing Director. “The opportunity to scale a business that is truly mission-critical to enterprises around the world is core to Vista’s investment approach and value creation efforts. This, combined with Stu’s track record as a visionary founder and KnowBe4’s demonstrated product leadership, makes partnering with the Company very exciting.”
With the completion of the transaction, KnowBe4 shares have ceased trading and are no longer listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisor and Potter Anderson & Corroon served as legal counsel to KnowBe4’s Special Committee. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation served as legal advisor to KnowBe4.
Guggenheim Securities, LLC served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel for Vista.
About KnowBe4
KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 56,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4’s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as their last line of defense.
About Vista Equity Partners
Vista is a leading global investment firm with more than $95 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2022. The firm exclusively invests in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled organizations across private equity, permanent capital, credit and public equity strategies, bringing an approach that prioritizes creating enduring market value for the benefit of its global ecosystem of investors, companies, customers and employees. Vista's investments are anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions and proven, flexible management techniques that drive sustainable growth. Vista believes the transformative power of technology is the key to an even better future – a healthier planet, a smarter economy, a diverse and inclusive community and a broader path to prosperity. Further information is available at vistaequitypartners.com. Follow Vista on LinkedIn, @Vista Equity Partners, and on Twitter, @Vista_Equity.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005656/en/
Contact information
For media inquiries, contact:
Brian W. Steel
media@vistaequitypartners.com
+1-212-804-9170
Kathy Wattman
Public Relations
PR@KnowBe4.com
(727) 474-9950
For investor inquiries, contact:
Ken Talanian
Investor Relations
IR@Knowbe4.com
(727) 286-3584
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
NICT Showcases Beyond 5G/6G Technologies at MWC Barcelona 202618.2.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan’s leading public research organization in information and communications technology, today announced that it will exhibit at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026, taking place from March 2–5, 2026, at Hall 6, Stand F54. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260216620427/en/ NICT BOOTH NICT’s presence highlights Japan’s leadership in Beyond 5G and 6G research and development activities, addressing the growing limitations of current mobile networks as data traffic and connected devices continue to increase across Europe and globally. While 5G deployment is expanding, emerging applications such as AI-driven services, real-time analytics, and immersive communications demand higher capacity, stability, and resilience. At MWC Barcelona 2026, NICT will present a series of live demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge technologies, including t
BEYOND Developments Unveils EVERMORE Masterplan on Marjan Beach in Ras Al Khaimah18.2.2026 08:00:00 EET | Press release
BEYOND Developments unveiled EVERMORE, its first fully masterplanned destination on Marjan Beach in Ras Al Khaimah, marking the opening chapter of BEYOND’s 2026 growth strategy and a bold expansion beyond Dubai. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260217969384/en/ EVERMORE by BEYOND Developments - The Essence of French Living at Marjan Beach, Ras Al Khaimah (Photo: AETOSWire) Strategically located opposite Wynn Al Marjan Island, EVERMORE is a long-term lifestyle and residential waterfront district framed by the sea and Marjan’s future botanical garden. The masterplan blends French classical elegance with contemporary architecture, integrated nature, and lifestyle-focused placemaking, creating a distinctive setting where architecture, hospitality, and public spaces harmonize with water and greenery. Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman of BEYOND Developments, said: “Ras Al Khaimah is witnessing a new phase o
Westlake Epoxy Expands Distribution Relationship with Brenntag to India18.2.2026 03:30:00 EET | Press release
Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) today announced that Westlake Epoxy will expand its long‑standing distribution relationship with Brenntag to South and West India. The agreement builds on a successful collaboration across Europe, North and South America, and Southeast Asia, extending Westlake Epoxy’s reach into one of the world’s fastest‑growing coatings, adhesives and construction markets. Under the expanded collaboration, Brenntag will distribute Westlake Epoxy’s established portfolio of epoxy solutions for coatings, adhesives and construction applications, including the EPON™, EPIKOTE™, EPIKURE™ and EPI‑REZ™ product lines. Customers are expected to benefit from reliable local supply, technical service and application‑focused formulation support tailored to regional requirements. India’s coatings, adhesives and construction sectors continue to grow, driven by infrastructure investment, urbanization and increasing performance expectations. By combining Westlake Epoxy’s proven epoxy te
Compass Pathways Launches Proposed $150.0 Million Public Offering17.2.2026 23:06:00 EET | Press release
Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS), a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation, announced today the launch of a proposed public offering of $150.0 million of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing one ordinary share, and in lieu of ADSs, to certain institutional investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase ADSs. All securities are being offered by Compass Pathways. Compass Pathways expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $22.5 million of ADSs at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions . The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the proposed offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the proposed offering. Jefferies, TD Cowen, Cantor and Stifel are acting as joint book-runners for the proposed offering. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is also acting as lead mana
Lattice Launches Joint Cyber Resilience Reference Kit with EXOR International and TrustiPhi to Simplify Secure Device Development17.2.2026 23:00:00 EET | Press release
Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC), the low power programmable leader, today announced a Cyber Resilience Reference Kit designed to help industrial and edge device manufacturers accelerate secure system design, developed in collaboration with EXOR International and TrustiPhi. Built on the Lattice MachXO3D™ secure control FPGA, EXOR International’s industrial edge platform, and TrustiPhi’s integrated security orchestration platform, the kit enables hardware‑rooted trust, secure lifecycle management, and industrial‑grade connectivity to accelerate cyber resilient system design. “Security can no longer be an afterthought, especially at the industrial edge. With this collaboration, we’re giving customers a practical, integrated way to accelerate secure system development and support emerging requirements such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act,” said Karl Wachswender, Senior Principal System Architect Industrial, Lattice Semiconductor. “Through our early access program, major industrial comp
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom