Investcorp portfolio company Impero buys competitor Netop

The deal will increase Impero’s scale and presence in the US market

Investcorp portfolio company Impero acquired education sector-focused software firm Netop for an undisclosed sum. Courtesy Investcorp

Impero, a software company owned by Bahrain-based alternative asset manager Investcorp, bought competitor Netop for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase from Consolidated Holdings will increase Impero’s scale and presence in the US and has the potential to meaningfully increase recurring revenue, Investcorp said.

“Impero’s acquisition of Netop directly aligns with its strategy of delivering a comprehensive suite of wellbeing, classroom management and network management tools,” Gilbert Kamieniecky, managing director and head of Investcorp’s private equity technology business, said.

“The addition of Netop will provide Impero with the potential to accelerate its growth.”

Impero is a UK-based online student safety, classroom and school network management software firm. Netop is a Danish software company offering classroom management software as well as software that connects people with computers and smart devices. Its technology is used by large companies in the delivery of customer service.

Upon completion of the Netop transaction, Impero will expand its reach in both the education and corporate markets. Investcorp expects the deal to close within the next four weeks.

Investcorp Technology Partners, through Investcorp Technology Fund IV, invested in Impero in 2017 to support its organic growth and international expansion through acquisitions.

The company is expanding its tech portfolio by investing in software, data analytics, cyber security and FinTech firms.

Investcorp Technology Partners’ recent investments include Avira, a multinational cybersecurity software firm; Contentserv, a product information management software provider; Ubisense, an enterprise software and sensor platform; Softgarden, an HR software provider; and Ageras, an online marketplace matching smaller businesses with service providers.

Investcorp, which counts Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company as its biggest shareholder, had $32.2 billion of assets under management as of June 30, a 15 per cent year-on-year increase.

The company last month entered into a partnership with New York's Centre Lane Partners to increase private equity and private credit investments into mid-market companies in North America.