M&A Deal Summary

Lightower Fiber Networks Acquires Sidera Networks

On April 11, 2013, Lightower Fiber Networks acquired communications company Sidera Networks from ABRY Partners, Spectrum Equity and HarbourVest Partners for 2.0B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Lightower Fiber Networks’ 5th transaction in the Communications sector.
  • This is Lightower Fiber Networks’ largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Lightower Fiber Networks’ 6th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Lightower Fiber Networks’ 5th transaction in New York.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2013-04-11
Target Sidera Networks
Sector Communications
Buyer(s) Lightower Fiber Networks
Sellers(s) ABRY Partners
Spectrum Equity
HarbourVest Partners
Deal Type Merger
Deal Value 2.0B USD

Target

Sidera Networks

New York, New York, United States
Sidera Networks, Inc. is a provider of tailored, high capacity communications services that ensure optimal business performance to carrier and enterprise customers. Sidera Networks offers a comprehensive suite of facilities-based services including: Ethernet, SONET, wavelength, internet access, colocation and more. With a fiber optic network leveraging unique rights-of-way that spans from Maine to Virginia, out to Chicago and up to Toronto, Sidera is committed to delivering cost-effective, custom solutions coupled with superior industry expertise, service and support.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Lightower Fiber Networks

Boxborough, Massachusetts, United States
Category Company
Founded 2003
Sector Communications
DESCRIPTION

Lightower Fiber Networks LLC is a fiber network and broadband service provider in the Northeast, offering over 4,600 fiber route miles coupled with comprehensive transport, alternative access, and nationwide long haul services.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 6 of 10
Sector (Communications) 5 of 7
Type (Merger) 1 of 1
State (New York) 5 of 6
Country (United States) 6 of 10
Year (2013) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2010-12-13 Open Access

Farmingdale, New York, United States

Open Access, Inc. is a provider of diverse, cost-effective, customized end-to-end communications solutions. Open Access takes pride in combining integrity with the highest standards of quality and unparalleled personal service.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2015-03-11 ColocationZone

Chicago, Illinois, United States

ColocationZone, Inc. is a colocation and managed service provider. ColocationZone offer cabinets, partial cabinets, cages, and private custom suite solutions to meet our customer’s ever changing IT requirements.

Buy -

Seller(S) 3

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 35 of 103
Sector (Communications) 7 of 15
Type (Merger) 1 of 2
State (New York) 2 of 6
Country (United States) 32 of 88
Year (2013) 2 of 5
Size (of disclosed) 3 of 29
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-04-11 Lightower Fiber Networks

Boxborough, Massachusetts, United States

Lightower Fiber Networks LLC is a fiber network and broadband service provider in the Northeast, offering over 4,600 fiber route miles coupled with comprehensive transport, alternative access, and nationwide long haul services.

Buy $2.0B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-05-07 Airband Communications

Dallas, Texas, United States

Airband Communications is a broadband communications provider of Voice over IP and high-speed data solutions primarily using broadband fixed wireless technology. airBand currently offers its data services in 5 U.S. markets including the Baltimore, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Philadelphia and Phoenix metropolitan areas.

Sell -
SELLER

Spectrum Equity

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1994
PE ASSETS 8.2B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

Spectrum Equity Management L.P. is a private equity investor focused on service businesses. Spectrum specifically targets established businesses in the media, communications, IT, information, and business services industries. The Firm looks to commit $25 to $150 million of equity capital per transaction and focuses on opportunities throughout North America and Western Europe. Prospective transaction situations include leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, acquisition financings, and secondary purchases. Spectrum Equity Investors was formed in 1994 and has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Menlo Park, California.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 34 of 76
Sector (Communications) 8 of 9
Type (Merger) 2 of 4
State (New York) 4 of 10
Country (United States) 32 of 67
Year (2013) 2 of 5
Size (of disclosed) 6 of 27
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-01-16 Lynda

Carpinteria, California, United States

Lynda is an online learning company that helps anyone learn software, technology, creative and business skills to achieve their personal and professional goals. Through individual, corporate, academic and government subscriptions, more than two million people have access to the lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts and filmed at the company’s 12-acre, state-of-the-art campus in Carpinteria, California.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-04-25 Presence

New York, New York, United States

Presence is a provider of teletherapy and software solutions for special education-related services and behavioral mental health counseling in K-12 schools. The company connects speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavioral and mental health professionals with students through its proprietary Therapy Essentials software platform, and has delivered more than 3 million teletherapy sessions to hundreds of K-12 schools and districts across the U.S. through its network of over 1,500 certified clinicians. Presence was founded in 2009 and is based in New York City.

Buy -
SELLER

HarbourVest Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1978
PE ASSETS 86.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

HarbourVest Partners, LLC is an investment firm that makes investments in new private equity partnerships, acquires secondary interests, and makes direct investments in operating companies. HarbourVest's largest investment area is investments in private equity funds, comprising of approximately 2/3 of HarbourVest's assets. HarbourVest's direct investment group looks for investments in growth oriented businesses at a variety of stages. The Group generally targets co-investments of $5 to $100 million, growth capital financings of $5 to $40 million, or mezzanine commitments of $5 to $20 million. Sectors of interest include software, hardware, data communications, telecommunications, and financial services. HarbourVest was formed in 1997 to assume the business of Hancock Venture Partners which was formed in 1982. HarbourVest Partners is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 37 of 132
Sector (Communications) 4 of 11
Type (Merger) 1 of 6
State (New York) 3 of 6
Country (United States) 20 of 83
Year (2013) 1 of 8
Size (of disclosed) 12 of 39
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-04-11 Lightower Fiber Networks

Boxborough, Massachusetts, United States

Lightower Fiber Networks LLC is a fiber network and broadband service provider in the Northeast, offering over 4,600 fiber route miles coupled with comprehensive transport, alternative access, and nationwide long haul services.

Buy $2.0B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-04-19 SeaWorld

Orlando, Florida, United States

United Parks & Resorts is a theme park and entertainment company focused on delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world. SeaWorld owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld, Shamu and Busch Gardens. The Company's theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for guests. United Parks & Resorts was formed in 1959 and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Sell -
Mergr

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