Latest news with #RustyWiley
Finextra
5 hours ago
- Business
- Finextra
Datasite acquires Grata
Datasite, the global SaaS provider of AI-powered workflow collaboration and automation solutions for M&A, investment and strategic projects, today announced that it has acquired Grata, a leading AI-native, private market intelligence company. CapVest Partners LLP (CapVest), the controlling shareholder of Datasite, intends to invest $500 million, organically and inorganically, to further expand Datasite's intelligence solutions. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. 'This landmark combination creates a unique market intelligence offering for enterprises globally,' said Rusty Wiley, CEO and President of Datasite. 'Grata has comprehensive, accurate and searchable data on private companies. Combine that with the Datasite Group's anonymized and aggregated insights – from the largest and most trusted database in the world, capturing over 55,000 projects every year – and you've got an unmatched powerhouse of market intelligence.' Founded in 2016, New York-based Grata offers an AI-native platform for private market workflows combining proprietary company data with integrated dealmaking software solutions. Datasite's acquisition and ongoing investment in Grata will accelerate the growth of its pioneering, deal sourcing and market intelligence tools. Co-founders Andrew Bocskocsky and Nevin Raj will continue to lead Grata as a strategic business unit within Datasite. 'We are thrilled to join the Datasite team and back our shared vision with significant investment,' said Andrew Bocskocsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Grata. 'Together, with Datasite's global footprint, we are expanding our reach to international markets and creating unprecedented value for users.' Christopher Campbell, Partner at CapVest, said, 'Obtaining accurate, real-time data on private markets will further enable enterprises and investors to execute their strategic priorities. We welcome Grata to the Datasite Group and look forward to bringing unique insights to the M&A community.' Datasite was advised by Arma Partners (M&A), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (Legal), Alvarez & Marsal (Financial), KPMG (Tax), Lockton (Insurance) and West Monroe (Technology). Grata was advised by Deutsche Bank (M&A) and Orrick (Legal).
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Datasite Acquires Leading Private Market Intelligence Company Grata with $500 Million Investment Commitment
MINNEAPOLIS, United States: Datasite, the global SaaS provider of AI-powered workflow collaboration and automation solutions for M&A, investment and strategic projects, today announced that it has acquired Grata, a leading AI-native, private market intelligence company. CapVest Partners LLP ('CapVest'), the controlling shareholder of Datasite, intends to invest $500 million, organically and inorganically, to further expand Datasite's intelligence solutions. Advertisement This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 'This landmark combination creates a unique market intelligence offering for enterprises globally,' said Rusty Wiley, CEO and President of Datasite. 'Grata has comprehensive, accurate and searchable data on private companies. Combine that with the Datasite Group's anonymized and aggregated insights – from the largest and most trusted database in the world, capturing over 55,000 projects every year – and you've got an unmatched powerhouse of market intelligence.' Founded in 2016, New York-based Grata offers an AI-native platform for private market workflows combining proprietary company data with integrated dealmaking software solutions. Datasite's acquisition and ongoing investment in Grata will accelerate the growth of its pioneering, deal sourcing and market intelligence tools. Co-founders Andrew Bocskocsky and Nevin Raj will continue to lead Grata as a strategic business unit within Datasite. 'We are thrilled to join the Datasite team and back our shared vision with significant investment,' said Andrew Bocskocsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Grata. 'Together, with Datasite's global footprint, we are expanding our reach to international markets and creating unprecedented value for users.' Christopher Campbell, Partner at CapVest, said, 'Obtaining accurate, real-time data on private markets will further enable enterprises and investors to execute their strategic priorities. We welcome Grata to the Datasite Group and look forward to bringing unique insights to the M&A community.' Datasite was advised by Arma Partners (M&A), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (Legal), Alvarez & Marsal (Financial), KPMG (Tax), Lockton (Insurance) and West Monroe (Technology). Grata was advised by Deutsche Bank (M&A) and Orrick (Legal). To learn more about Datasite, please visit: About Datasite Datasite is a global SaaS provider of AI-powered workflow collaboration and automation solutions for M&A, investment and strategic projects. Datasite's innovative products drive execution, while generating unique data insights to empower knowledge workers around the world to succeed across the entire project lifecycle. For more information, visit About Grata Grata is a leading AI-native private market intelligence and dealmaking company. Grata has the most comprehensive, accurate, and searchable data on private companies. For more information, visit View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Datasite Acquires Leading Private Market Intelligence Company Grata with $500 Million Investment Commitment
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Datasite, the global SaaS provider of AI-powered workflow collaboration and automation solutions for M&A, investment and strategic projects, today announced that it has acquired Grata, a leading AI-native, private market intelligence company. CapVest Partners LLP ('CapVest'), the controlling shareholder of Datasite, intends to invest $500 million, organically and inorganically, to further expand Datasite's intelligence solutions. "Grata has comprehensive, accurate, and searchable data on private companies. Combine that with the Datasite Group's anonymized and aggregated insights, and you've got an unmatched powerhouse of market intelligence.' 'This landmark combination creates a unique market intelligence offering for enterprises globally,' said Rusty Wiley, CEO and President of Datasite. 'Grata has comprehensive, accurate and searchable data on private companies. Combine that with the Datasite Group's anonymized and aggregated insights – from the largest and most trusted database in the world, capturing over 55,000 projects every year – and you've got an unmatched powerhouse of market intelligence.' Founded in 2016, New York-based Grata offers an AI-native platform for private market workflows combining proprietary company data with integrated dealmaking software solutions. Datasite's acquisition and ongoing investment in Grata will accelerate the growth of its pioneering, deal sourcing and market intelligence tools. Co-founders Andrew Bocskocsky and Nevin Raj will continue to lead Grata as a strategic business unit within Datasite. 'We are thrilled to join the Datasite team and back our shared vision with significant investment,' said Andrew Bocskocsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Grata. 'Together, with Datasite's global footprint, we are expanding our reach to international markets and creating unprecedented value for users.' Christopher Campbell, Partner at CapVest, said, 'Obtaining accurate, real-time data on private markets will further enable enterprises and investors to execute their strategic priorities. We welcome Grata to the Datasite Group and look forward to bringing unique insights to the M&A community.' Datasite was advised by Arma Partners (M&A), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (Legal), Alvarez & Marsal (Financial), KPMG (Tax), Lockton (Insurance) and West Monroe (Technology). Grata was advised by Deutsche Bank (M&A) and Orrick (Legal). To learn more about Datasite, please visit: About Datasite Datasite is a global SaaS provider of AI-powered workflow collaboration and automation solutions for M&A, investment and strategic projects. Datasite's innovative products drive execution, while generating unique data insights to empower knowledge workers around the world to succeed across the entire project lifecycle. For more information, visit About Grata Grata is a leading AI-native private market intelligence and dealmaking company. Grata has the most comprehensive, accurate, and searchable data on private companies. For more information, visit
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Four Key Enablers Of M&A Opportunities In 2025
Rusty Wiley is CEO of Datasite, a leading SaaS platform used by enterprises globally to execute complex, strategic projects. Heightened tensions between major economies are translating into greater scrutiny of cross-border transactions, particularly in the technology, energy and infrastructure sectors. Meanwhile, shifting U.S. trade policies are altering company market valuations and disrupting intricate global supply chains. Some of this activity was foretold. In 2024, global dealmakers said trade tensions and global interdependent supply chains were the top factors most likely to disrupt mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2025, according to my company Datasite's reach. Let's take a deeper look at how geopolitical friction and other factors are impacting M&A activity this year. Some of the challenges predicted last year are becoming evident, as global deal hold rates on Datasite increased three percentage points in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. Some bankers, for example, are telling their clients to postpone M&A until U.S. trade policy becomes clearer. Buyers are now also conducting more thorough due diligence, increasing their use of question-and-answer tools in virtual data rooms to interrogate deal information. Additionally, tariff risk analysis is in just about every valuation model. Yet, amid the caution, there are signs of resilience. New global deal kickoffs, asset sales and mergers on Datasite are up 4% year to date (January through April) compared to the same period in 2024. Since these are deals at inception, rather than announced, it can provide a good indication of what's to come. To navigate M&A in this cautious market, dealmakers must stay strategic and flexible, focusing on strong due diligence and clear value. Deals must align with core goals. Dealmakers need to expect longer timelines and closer review. They must also plan to manage risks and adjust quickly as the environment changes. Thanks to an assertive combination of creative dealmaking strategies, innovative tools and keen insight into their specialist sectors, dealmakers are continuing to rise to the occasion. Creative dealmaking has emerged as a vital skill for navigating uncertain markets, offering the adaptability needed to push M&A through when conventional strategies stall. Inventive approaches, including private investment in public equity (PIPEs) and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), are gaining traction, though not reaching the activity levels of 2021. With these approaches, it's clear that dealmakers are thinking outside the box, looking for alternative transaction models to overcome structural and regulatory barriers, allowing deals to proceed where traditional methods might falter. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, for example, dealmaking is increasingly focused on bolt-on acquisitions and divestitures. These strategies are effective in helping companies navigate economic headwinds and sector-specific disruptions. Businesses can sharpen their strategic focus by shedding non-core operations through divestitures and carve-outs. In particular, bolt-on acquisitions—which provide private equity and corporate buyers with a targeted, cost-effective path to growth by integrating smaller, complementary businesses—were identified as a top 2025 EMEA M&A opportunity, according to Datasite's research. Of course, these strategies also come with risks. Bolt-ons can lead to missed opportunities for synergies. Also, because there are different management structures, decision making and resource allocation conflicts can occur. Additionally, managing several independent subsidiaries can weaken the acquirer's focus and limit the value gained from the acquisition. Still, there are other areas spurring interest in M&A. Global technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) kickoffs on Datasite rose 10% year over year in January and February of this year, driven by increased demand for AI. For example, the need for extensive data center capacity requires substantial energy resources and investment. With major AI innovation announcements from the U.S., China and the U.K. since the start of the year, deal activity in this sector has accelerated. AI investment activity is also gaining momentum across a wide range of industries as organizations seek to integrate AI into their processes. In environments where developing in-house solutions is limited by expenses or talent shortages, M&A can offer a cost-efficient alternative for enhancing technological capacity through the integration of existing technologies. Beyond immediate technical gains, AI acquisitions can also future-proof operations. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in everything from customer service to supply chain optimization, organizations are looking to build resilient, scalable infrastructures that can adapt to changing market and client demands. This is the reason why acquiring AI-focused firms with proven capabilities can support long-term transformation agendas. To be sure, while every transaction involving AI is unique, there are some core questions dealmakers must ask during due diligence to ensure a positive outcome. Among the factors buyers must consider are data provenance, quality and security; alignment to human ways of working; intellectual property; infrastructure requirements; technology evaluation; and legal and regulatory compliance requirements. Another area attracting M&A attention is the consumer sector. New global consumer kickoffs on Datasite rose 19% year over year in the first quarter. One reason for the uptick is that consumer companies are streamlining their portfolios by divesting non-core assets that don't align with long-term strategies. For example, Shell began divesting 1,000 of its convenience stores last year to focus on its commercial clients over retail. Ultimately, there are reasons to be optimistic about the current and future state of dealmaking. Dealmakers have become used to navigating choppy waters over the last few years, adapting to economic volatility, geopolitical tensions and shifting market dynamics. This has inspired a more nimble approach to M&A transactions, which will result in new opportunities rising to the surface. Additionally, despite volatility linked to tariff announcements, M&A professionals are thinking long term, adopting creative approaches and focusing on industries that demonstrate long-term value. This will define M&A transactions in 2025, particularly as dealmakers look to release pent-up demand. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
