AGDATA, a provider of data and analytics used by agricultural, crop protection and animal health manufacturers, has been acquired by Vista Equity Partners. AGDATA was previously a portfolio company of SFW Capital Partners.
AGDATA is a provider of data and analytics to agricultural, crop protection and animal health manufacturers throughout the US and Canada. AGDATA collects and analyses data from over 8,000 retailers and distributors and this data is used by customers to analyze complex sales data, analyze sales trends, as well as to develop and maintain marketing and seed rebate programs. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Charlotte, NC (www.AGDATA.net).
“We are excited to partner with Richard Bettison, CEO of AGDATA, and the AGDATA team as they continue to develop and deliver innovative solutions to the rapidly evolving agriculture marketplace,” said Patrick Severson, Principal at Vista Equity Partners. “At a time when the industry increasingly looks to apply sophisticated analytics along the entire supply chain, ADGATA’s solutions, which have been built based on a history of deep customer relationships, provide insights that allow its customers to make better, faster and smarter decisions.”
Vista Equity Partners has more than $11 billion in committed capital and makes equity investments in enterprise software businesses and technology-enabled services companies. The firm was founded in 2000 and has over 50 investment professionals operating out of San Francisco, Chicago and Austin (www.vistaequitypartners.com).
SFW Capital Partners acquired AGDATA from Carousel Capital in February 2010. During the term of ownership, SFW supported the company in a range of growth initiatives. These initiatives included the expansion of AGDATA’s customer base, investments in the company’s systems and business infrastructure, and the creation of AGDATA’s SaaS-based AgCelerate Industry Standard Platforms business unit. These initiatives enhanced AGDATA’s service offering for its customers and drove meaningful growth in AGDATA’s revenues during the period of SFW’s investment.
“AGDATA represents a very strong fit with our specialized, supportive investment strategy. We are grateful to Richard and the AGDATA management team for their leadership in the growth and development of AGDATA over the last four years. The company performed very well during our investment period and continues to be at the forefront of the application of strategic information solutions and analytics in the agricultural and animal health sectors,” said Roger Freeman, Partner at SFW, “We were pleased to work closely with Richard and the AGDATA management team to support the development of this remarkable company.”
SFW focuses exclusively on analytical tools and related services companies, including providers of instrumentation, software, information and analytical services. SFW typically invests from $10 million to $75 million of equity in middle market companies that have up to $25 million in EBITDA. The firm has offices in Rye, NY and Hudson, OH (www.sfwcap.com).
Lazard Middle Market served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor to AGDATA and SFW.
2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 7-28-14