Roper / Vertafore 2020
Roper Technologies acquired Vertafore for $5.3B on August 12, 2020.
- Target
- Vertafore
- Acquirer
- Roper Technologies
- Deal value
- $5.3B
- Deal type
- Cash
- Announced
- August 12, 2020
- Sub-sector
- Insurtech
Transaction overview
- Roper Technologies announced the acquisition of Vertafore on August 12, 2020 for $5.35 billion in cash.
- The deal closed September 4, 2020, roughly three weeks after announcement.
- Vertafore sells software to insurance distributors, including agents, brokers, MGAs, and carriers.
- The company served more than 20,000 insurance agencies and 1,000 carriers at the time of sale.
- Vertafore was owned by TPG Capital and TA Associates prior to the sale.
- Roper financed the acquisition partly through a $3.5 billion debt offering.
- The purchase price represented one of the largest software deals in the insurance distribution vertical to that date.
- Roper positioned Vertafore as an addition to its portfolio of niche, high-margin vertical software businesses.
Why it matters
- At $5.35 billion, the deal was among the largest acquisitions ever of an insurance distribution software vendor.
- The transaction signaled sustained private-equity and strategic appetite for vertical SaaS businesses serving fragmented insurance distribution markets.
Strategic rationale
Roper acquires P&C insurance agency management software from Bain Capital and Vista Equity, anchoring its vertical-SaaS portfolio.
Deal terms & multiples
About Vertafore
Vertafore is a Denver-based software company that sells management systems and distribution tools to insurance agents, brokers, managing general agents, and carriers. Its products include AMS360, BenefitPoint, and PL Rating, which handle policy management, benefits administration, and comparative rating. The company served more than 20,000 agencies and processed a substantial share of U.S. independent agency transactions at the time of the acquisition. Vertafore had been backed by private equity since at least 2010, passing through Francisco Partners before landing with TPG and TA Associates.
- Founded
- 1969
- HQ
- United States
- Employees
- 2,000
- Prior funding
- Owned by TPG Capital and TA Associates; acquired by TPG/TA from Francisco Partners in 2016 for approximately $2.7 billion
- Key metric
- Served more than 20,000 insurance agencies and approximately 1,000 carriers
About Roper Technologies NASDAQ: ROP
Roper Technologies is a Brookfield, Florida-based industrial and software conglomerate listed on the Nasdaq (ROP). The company acquires and operates niche vertical software and technology businesses across healthcare, education, legal, and financial services markets. Roper reported roughly $5.4 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2020. Its acquisition strategy targets businesses with high recurring revenue, low capital intensity, and defensible positions in specialized end markets.
- Founded
- 1981
- Ticker
- NASDAQ: ROP
Frequently asked questions
How much did Roper Technologies pay for Vertafore?
Roper paid $5.35 billion in cash. The deal was financed partly through a $3.5 billion debt offering.
When did the Roper-Vertafore deal close?
The acquisition closed on September 4, 2020, approximately three weeks after the August 12 announcement.
What does Vertafore do?
Vertafore sells software to insurance agents, brokers, MGAs, and carriers. Its products cover agency management, benefits administration, and comparative rating.
Who owned Vertafore before Roper?
TPG Capital and TA Associates owned Vertafore. They acquired it from Francisco Partners in 2016 for roughly $2.7 billion.
Why did Roper Technologies acquire Vertafore?
Roper targets niche vertical software businesses with high recurring revenue and low capital requirements. Vertafore fit that profile as a dominant software vendor in U.S. insurance distribution.
How many customers did Vertafore have at the time of the sale?
Vertafore served more than 20,000 insurance agencies and approximately 1,000 carriers at the time of the acquisition.
Sources
- globenewswire.com /news-release/2020/08/13/2077760/0/en/Roper-Technologies-to-Acquire-Vertafore-Leading-Provider-of-SaaS-Solutions-for-the-Property-Casualty-Insurance-Industry.html