Duck Creek agrees to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $2.6 billion
Insurance technology solutions provider Duck Creek Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners, a global investment firm focused exclusively on enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses, for $19.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement, Duck Creek shareholders will receive $19.00 per share in cash, which represents a 46% premium to Duck Creek’s closing stock price on January 6, 2023, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement, and a premium of approximately 64% over the volume weighted average price of Duck Creek’s stock for the 30 days ending January 6, 2023.
The transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval by Duck Creek’s stockholders and U.S. antitrust clearance. Upon completion of the transaction, Duck Creek’s common stock will no longer be publicly listed, and Duck Creek will become a privately held company.
The agreement includes a “go-shop” period expiring at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 7, 2023, which allows Duck Creek’s board of directors and its advisors to actively initiate, solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. Duck Creek’s board of directors will have the right to terminate the merger agreement to enter into a superior proposal subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement.
“This transaction is a testament to the value of the Duck Creek platform, the success of our strategy and the strength of our incredible team. Following a deliberate and thoughtful process, the Board approved this transaction which delivers a great outcome for Duck Creek’s shareholders, providing them a certain and substantial cash value at an attractive premium. Duck Creek is proud to have pioneered cloud-based mission-critical systems for the P&C insurance industry to deliver a best-in-class customer experience. We are excited to enter the next chapter for Duck Creek in partnership with Vista Equity Partners to continue supporting P&C insurance carriers’ move to the cloud.” – Michael Jackowski, CEO of Duck Creek.
“Duck Creek is playing an outsized role in accelerating cloud strategies and unlocking all the advantages they provide this crucial sector of today’s economy. Duck Creek’s modern cloud architecture and demonstrated market traction position it to define the next generation of mission-critical technology for P&C insurance.” – Monti Saroya, senior managing director and co-head of Vista’s Flagship Fund.
“Vista has an established track record of partnering with leading enterprise software businesses within the insurance industry and related verticals. We are excited to work with the Duck Creek team as we look to build on their best-in-class platform and solutions, which serve many of the world’s leading P&C insurance carriers.” – Jeff Wilson, managing director at Vista.
Bottom Line: Couldn’t handle public pressure.
