Ashurst advises Goldman Sachs International on US$ 5.3 billion takeover of Darktrace plc by Thoma Bravo

Global law firm Ashurst is advising Goldman Sachs International on the recommended cash offer for Darktrace plc (Darktrace) by Luke Bidco Limited, a newly incorporated company wholly owned by funds managed and/or advised by Thoma Bravo, L.P.

Darktrace is a global leader in cybersecurity artificial intelligence, with a mission to free the world from cyber disruption. The Darktrace ActiveAI Security Platform provides a full lifecycle approach to cyber resilience that, within seconds, can autonomously spot and respond to known and unknown in-progress threats across an organisation’s entire ecosystem, including cloud, apps, email, endpoint, network and operational technology. Darktrace’s research and development teams have made breakthrough innovations resulting in over 175 patent applications filed.The Darktrace Group employs over 2,300 people around the world and protects over 9,400 customers globally from advanced cyber threats. The Darktrace Group is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with offices in 24 countries across Europe, Americas, Asia-Pacific. The Darktrace Shares are listed on the Premium Segment of the Official List and are admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with over $138 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023. The firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Over the past 20 years, Thoma Bravo has acquired or invested in more than 465 companies representing approximately $260 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco.

The Ashurst team is being led by partners Tom Mercer and Tim Rennie, assisted by senior associates Maria McAlister and Asil Robertson and associate Patrick Chambers.