M&A Deal Summary

Searchlight Capital Partners Acquires Univision

On February 25, 2020, private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners acquired media company Univision from Stockwell Capital, Saban Capital Group, Pamlico Capital, TPG, Madison Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Adams Street Partners

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Searchlight Capital Partners’ 1st transaction in the Media sector.
  • This is Searchlight Capital Partners’ 10th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Searchlight Capital Partners’ 3rd transaction in New York.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2020-02-25
Target Univision
Sector Media
Buyer(s) Searchlight Capital Partners
Sellers(s) Stockwell Capital
Saban Capital Group
Pamlico Capital
TPG
Madison Dearborn Partners
Providence Equity Partners
Thomas H. Lee Partners
Adams Street Partners
Deal Type Secondary Buyout
Advisor(s) Morgan Stanley
LionTree (Financial)
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Sidley (Legal)

Target

Univision

New York, New York, United States
Univision entertains, informs, and empowers U.S. Hispanics with news, sports, and entertainment content across broadcast and cable television, audio, and digital platforms. The company’s top-rated media portfolio includes the Univision and UniMás broadcast networks, as well as cable networks Galavisión and TUDN, the No. 1 Spanish-language sports network in the country. Locally, Univision owns or operates 65 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Uforia, the Home of Latin Music, encompasses 58 owned or operated radio stations, plus 89 affiliates, a live event series, and a robust digital audio footprint. Univision was formed in 1992 and is based in New York, New York.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Searchlight Capital Partners

London, United Kingdom

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2010
PE ASSETS 860M USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Searchlight Capital Partners is a private investment firm founded in 2010. The Firm will invest across the capital structure, including equity and debt and will consider a variety of transaction situations, from simple to complex. Areas of focus include communications, media, information, IT services, business services, financial services, consumer services, consumer products, education, and industrial goods/services. The Firm will consider opportunities across North America and Europe. Searchlight Capital has offices in New York, London, and Toronto.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 23 of 39
Sector (Media) 1 of 2
Type (Secondary Buyout) 4 of 7
State (New York) 3 of 4
Country (United States) 10 of 21
Year (2020) 2 of 4
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-02-03 GRP Group

London, United Kingdom

GRP Group is an independent insurance intermediary. GRP operates retail broking, specialist MGA, network, and Lloyd’s businesses, enabling the Group to serve the growing insurance and risk management needs of its clients. GRP Group was founded in 2013 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-06-04 Shift4

Center Valley, Pennsylvania, United States

Shift4 is a provider of secure payment processing solutions, powering the top point-of-sale and software providers across numerous verticals, including Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Lodging, Gaming, Retail, and e-Commerce. This includes the company’s Harbortouch, Restaurant Manager, POSitouch, and Future POS brands, as well as over 300 additional software integrations in virtually every industry. With eight offices across the U.S. and Europe, 7,000 sales partners, and three state-of-the-art data centers, the company securely processes over 1 billion transactions annually for nearly 200,000 businesses, representing over $100 billion in payments each year. Shift4 was formed in 1999 and is based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sell -

Seller(S) 8

SELLER

Stockwell Capital

Austin, Texas, United States

Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2002
PE ASSETS 750M USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Stockwell Capital is a co-investment firm, focused on making minority investments alongside private equity sponsors. Stockwell is a generalist investor, with no sector preferences and looks to commit $3 to $10 million per investment. The Firm will consider opportunities throughout the US and Europe and prefers late-stage or growth equity situations. Stockwell Capital was formed in 2002 and is based in Chicago.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 39 of 41
Sector (Media) 3 of 3
Type (Secondary Buyout) 7 of 9
State (New York) 3 of 3
Country (United States) 31 of 33
Year (2020) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-12-13 21st Century Oncology

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

21st Century Oncology is a provider of cancer care services across multiple modalities, the largest radiation oncology provider and one of the largest groups of urologists in the U.S. 21st Century Oncology was founded in 1983 and is based in Fort Myers, Florida.

Sell $1.1B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-01-05 Aurorium

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Aurorium is a manufacturer of high-value specialty chemicals used in the agroscience, nutrition, pharmaceutical, personal care, and performance materials markets. Aurorium producer of pyridine and picoline chemicals that function as key intermediates in the manufacturing of herbicides, insecticides, biocides, and a range of pharmaceutical and industrial products. Aurorium was founded in 1857 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sell -
SELLER

Saban Capital Group

Los Angeles, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2001
Size Large
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

Saban Capital Group (SCG) is a private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries. SCG makes both controlling and minority investments in public and private companies. In addition to its private equity activity, the Firm makes early-stage investments in digital media, mobile and consumer internet endeavors, through Saban Ventures, formed in 2008. SCG was established in 2001 by Haim Saban and is based in Los Angeles.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 8 of 8
Sector (Media) 5 of 5
Type (Secondary Buyout) 2 of 2
State (New York) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 3 of 3
Year (2020) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-02-27 Giosis Gmarket International Pte.

Singapore, Singapore

Qoo10 is an online marketplace platform that allows its buyers enjoy highly secure and convenient shopping experience.

Sell -
SELLER

Pamlico Capital

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1988
PE ASSETS 3.5B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Pamlico Capital is a private equity group focused on mid-sized transactions. Pamlico looks to invest $25 to $125 million per transaction. Sectors of interest include business and technology services, consumer products/services, industrial, energy, financial services, healthcare, media, and communications. Pamlico will consider both minority and majority positions. Prospective transactions include management or leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, mezzanine, and special situations. Pamlico was formerly known as Wachovia Capital Partners. The Firm was originally formed in 1988 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 50 of 61
Sector (Media) 4 of 5
Type (Secondary Buyout) 18 of 21
State (New York) 4 of 7
Country (United States) 48 of 59
Year (2020) 1 of 4
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-12-01 HelioCampus

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

HelioCampus is a business-performance analytics tech-enabled services platform for colleges and universities. HelioCampus’ technology platform consolidates, organizes, and manages an institution’s data as HelioCampus’ data scientists partner with customers to develop solutions for their most pressing challenges. HelioCampus helps institutions jump-start or accelerate their path to advanced analytics and realize improvements in enrollment, persistence, and managing costs. HelioCampus was founded in 2015 and is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-07-20 Digitech Computer

Chappaqua, New York, United States

Digitech offers comprehensive RCM services and technology solutions focused exclusively on the EMS market. Digitech serves municipalities, hospitals, and private ambulance customers through innovative technology, time-tested processes, and true partnerships with EMS clients.

Sell -
SELLER

TPG

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1992
PE ASSETS 137.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

TPG Capital is a global, mega-sized private investment firm that manages a family of funds focused on private equity, real estate, venture capital, public equity and debt investing. TPG invests in opportunities across a broad range of industries and geographies. TPG generally seeks to invest in established businesses that can benefit from the Firm's operational experience and connections. Industries of interest include consumer, retail, healthcare, industrials, digital media, natural resources, energy, real estate, technology, and software. TPG was formerly known as Texas Pacific Group and was originally established in 1992 by David Bonderman, James Coulter and William Price. The Firm is based in Forth Worth, Texas with additional offices in Europe, Asia, and Australia.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 209 of 267
Sector (Media) 2 of 6
Type (Secondary Buyout) 25 of 36
State (New York) 5 of 6
Country (United States) 150 of 193
Year (2020) 4 of 20
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-02-07 Creative Planning

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Creative Planning is an independent wealth management firm that provides a financial planning led investment management approach, retirement planning, estate planning, trust services, tax advice and family office services for individuals as well as 401(k) and institutional money management. Creative Planning is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-03-10 Everlaw

Oakland, California, United States

Everlaw is a cloud-native e-discovery solution that unlocks the collaborative power of teams to investigate issues more thoroughly, uncover a truth more quickly, and present their findings more clearly. Everlaw was founded in 2010 and is based in Oakland, California.

Buy -
SELLER

Madison Dearborn Partners

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1992
PE ASSETS 28.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP) is a large private equity firm that targets buyouts of private or publicly held companies, divestitures of larger companies, recapitalizations of family-owned or closely-held companies, acquisition-oriented financings, and financings to fund internal growth. MDP's target investment size is $100 to $600 million in buyout oriented transactions and $100 to $400 million in growth capital commitments. Areas of interest include basic industries (natural resources, chemicals, energy and power, automotive, building products, food, metals and mining, refining, paper, packaging and forest products, and general manufacturing), as well as communications, consumer products/services, financial services, and healthcare. Madison Dearborn Partners was formed in 1992 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 64 of 74
Sector (Media) 2 of 2
Type (Secondary Buyout) 10 of 14
State (New York) 6 of 7
Country (United States) 57 of 66
Year (2020) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-05-15 InMoment

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

InMoment is a cloud-based customer experience (CX) optimization platform. InMoment’s cloud-native XI Platform is engineered with data science at the core, and specifically architected to harness intelligence from across the entire experience ecosystem to deliver clear business value. InMoment was founded in 2002 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-03-09 AEVEX Aerospace

Solana Beach, California, United States

AEVEX Aerospace is a full-spectrum airborne intelligence solution with capabilities span three business units: Intelligence Solutions, Flight Operations, and Engineering & Technology. The company provides agile and customized approaches to the full spectrum of airborne intelligence collection needs. It supports projects both large and small, including turn-key contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO), government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO), and contractor-owned, government-operated (COGO) services to the DoD, other government agencies, and commercial businesses. AEVEX Aerospace is based in Solana Beach, California.

Buy -
SELLER

Providence Equity Partners

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1989
PE ASSETS 36.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Providence Equity Partners is a specialist private equity firm that targets investments in media, entertainment, communications, and information companies. Specifically, Providence seeks investments in wireless and wireline telephony, cable television content and distribution, music, film, publishing, radio and television broadcasting, and other media and communications sectors. Providence Equity looks to commit $150 million to $800 million of equity capital in transactions ranging from growth financings and recapitalizations, to buyouts and take-privates. Providence Equity Partners was formed in 1989 and has offices in Providence, Rhode Island; New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; London, United Kingdom; Hong Kong, China; and New Delhi, India.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 79 of 100
Sector (Media) 21 of 23
Type (Secondary Buyout) 21 of 31
State (New York) 8 of 9
Country (United States) 52 of 68
Year (2020) 1 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-01-16 Anthology

Boca Raton, Florida, United States

Anthology is a provider of administrative software solutions to higher education, nonprofit organizations, and other learning industries. Anthology's product suite includes student information systems, constituent relationship management, enterprise resource planning, student and alumni engagement, retention, and compliance solutions. Anthology was founded in 1988 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-03-06 Galileo Global Education

Paris, France

Galileo Global Education is an international provider of higher education and Europe's largest higher education group. The company brings together 42 benchmark schools on 80 campuses in 13 countries around the world, united around unique know-how: to enable its 110,000 students to be connected to the entire world, and to decompartmentalize the teaching of the major disciplines of management, arts, and creation, marketing and technology in order to foster innovation in every field. Galileo Global Education was founded in 2007 and is based in Paris, France.

Sell -
SELLER

Thomas H. Lee Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1974
PE ASSETS 35.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) is a private equity firm that seeks buyout, expansion, consolidation, distressed, and recapitalization investments across various industries. Sectors of interest include business and information services, consumer products/retail, financial services, healthcare, industrial, and media/communications. THL looks to invest $100 to $400 million in companies valued up to $2.5 billion. THL was formed in 1974 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 44 of 54
Sector (Media) 4 of 4
Type (Secondary Buyout) 9 of 12
State (New York) 4 of 4
Country (United States) 36 of 45
Year (2020) 2 of 9
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-02-11 Bargain Hunt

Antioch, Tennessee, United States

Bargain Hunt is an extreme value retail chain that enables customers to buy quality brand name merchandise well below normal retail pricing. Bargain Hunt was founded in 2004 and is based in Antioch, Tennessee.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-03-09 Art Van Furniture

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Art Van Furniture is a furniture retailer. The company operates 100 stores throughout michigan, illinois, ohio, and indiana, including freestanding Art Van pureSleep mattress stores, Art Van flooring stores, and Art Van Furniture franchise locations as well as a full service e-commerce website. Art Van Furniture was founded in 1959 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Sell -
SELLER

Adams Street Partners

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Asset Manager
Founded 1972
PE ASSETS 60.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Adams Street Partners is a diversified, global investment firm that targets direct, fund of funds, and secondary investments. Adams' direct investing group covers co-investments in buyout transactions, as well as growth equity and venture capital commitments. The direct buyout and growth equity team looks to commit $5 to $30 million per transaction. For venture related investments, commitments of $5 to $20 million are provided to companies in the technology, life sciences and technology enabled services sectors. Typically, target companies have received prior financing from early stage venture firms and are seeking additional capital to fund product development and commercialization. Adams Street Partners was formed in 1972 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 79 of 96
Sector (Media) 2 of 2
Type (Secondary Buyout) 6 of 7
State (New York) 3 of 3
Country (United States) 74 of 88
Year (2020) 3 of 7
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-01-27 DolEx Dollar Express

Arlington, Texas, United States

DolEx Dollar Express is a provider of electronic funds transfer services through approximately 600 branches and over 2,000 agents in the mainland U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe. The company’s services allow customers to quickly and safely send money to beneficiaries in North America, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean through its settlement relationships with thousands of banks, exchange houses, and retail locations. DolEx also offers ancillary products and services including phone cards, bill payments, money orders, check cashing, prepaid mobile e-pins, and its Amigo Latino Plus prepaid card. DolEx Dollar Express was founded in 1996 and is based in Arlington, Texas.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-05-27 Aircall

New York, New York, United States

Aircall is a cloud-based call center and phone system of choice for modern businesses. A voice platform that integrates seamlessly with popular productivity and helpdesk tools. Aircall was founded in 2014 and is based in New York City.

Buy -