M&A Deal Summary

Apollo Global Management Acquires Smart Start

On November 8, 2021, asset manager Apollo Global Management acquired test/measurement equipment company Smart Start from ABRY Partners

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 1st transaction in the Test/Measurement Equipment sector.
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 82nd transaction in the United States.
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 13th transaction in Texas.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2021-11-08
Target Smart Start
Sector Test/Measurement Equipment
Buyer(s) Apollo Global Management
Sellers(s) ABRY Partners
Deal Type Secondary Buyout
Advisor(s) Jefferies (Financial)
Kirkland & Ellis (Legal)

Target

Smart Start

Grapevine, Texas, United States
Smart Start is a provider of ignition interlock devices and alcohol monitoring devices for the correctional services industry. The Company’s IID unit and other devices provide a means of monitoring convicted DUI offenders and preventing alcohol-impaired driving, the most frequently committed crime in the United States. Smart Start was founded in 1992 and is based in Grapevine, Texas.

Search 201,292 Deals Now

SEARCH BY

  • Buyer Type (PE or Strategic)
  • Deal Size ($10M to $10B+)
  • Sector (60 Sectors)
  • Deal Type
  • Geography
  • & More

Try For Free 7-Day Free Trial

Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Apollo Global Management

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Asset Manager
Founded 1990
PE ASSETS 45.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Apollo Global Management is a global alternative investment firm. The Firm segments its activity between private equity, capital markets, real estate, and publicly traded investment funds. Within private equity, Apollo targets traditional buyouts, distressed situations, as well as minority investments to help companies make acquisitions or fund other needs. Sectors of interest include chemicals, commodities, consumer/retail, distribution, transportation, financial services, business services, manufacturing, industrial, media/cable/leisure, packaging, and satellite/wireless. Apollo's geographic coverage spans Europe, North America, and Asia. Apollo manages publicly traded Apollo Investment Corporation, which provides equity and junior capital to middle-market companies, as well as Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Apollo Global Management was formed in 1990 and is based in New York City.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 115 of 140
Sector (Test/Measurement Equipment) 1 of 1
Type (Secondary Buyout) 22 of 30
State (Texas) 13 of 17
Country (United States) 82 of 101
Year (2021) 17 of 20
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-09-22 Great Canadian Gaming

North York, Ontario, Canada

Great Canadian Gaming is an entertainment provider with 17 facilities including Casinos, Hotels, & Show Theatres. Great Canadian Gaming was founded in 1982 and is based in North York, Ontario.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-11-19 Ventia Services

North Sydney, Australia

Ventia Services is a provider of infrastructure services. The company provides long-term operation, maintenance, and management of critical public and private assets and infrastructure across telecommunications, transport, local government, water, power generation, electricity, gas, healthcare, education, resources, and defense industries. Ventia Services was founded in 2015 and is based in North Sydney, Australia.

Sell -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

ABRY Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1989
PE ASSETS 12.8B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

ABRY Partners is a media and communications focused private equity investment firm. Specific areas of interest include television, publishing, convention/trade shows, for-profit training, couponing, monitoring services, telephone companies, communications towers, music libraries, database providers, wireless communications, and in-store advertisers. ABRY can provide both equity and mezzanine capital, typically committing $20 to $200 million of equity or $15 to $50 million of mezzanine capital per transaction. Prospective transaction situations include buyouts, expansion financings, platform acquisitions, consolidations, and recapitalizations. ABRY Partners was formed in 1989 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 93 of 103
Sector (Test/Measurement Equipment) 1 of 1
Type (Secondary Buyout) 29 of 33
State (Texas) 11 of 12
Country (United States) 81 of 88
Year (2021) 10 of 12
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-09-27 Aker

Bicester, United Kingdom

Aker designs, builds, and operates ultra-secure public cloud data environments for large private and public sector clients. Its delivery model integrates architecture blueprints, proven cloud technology, pre-built code components and finely honed professional services. Companies proprietary technology solutions drive performance and reduce cost while helping its clients to improve the management and sharing of data across their organizations. Aker was founded in 2016 and is based in Bicester, United Kingdom.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-11-15 Beacon Pointe

Newport Beach, California, United States

Beacon Pointe is a registered investment adviser. Clients rely on Beacon Pointe’s professional advisors to help determine investment goals, establish asset allocation guidelines, screen investment managers for selection, evaluate fund performance, and develop strategic financial plans. Beacon Pointe was founded in 2002 and is based in Newport Beach, California.

Sell -
Mergr

Product

Company

Legal