WASHINGTON, Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZeroFox Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZFOX), a leading provider of external cybersecurity, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Haveli Investments, a technology-focused private equity firm, in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $350 million.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, ZeroFox stockholders will receive $1.14 per share in cash upon completion of the transaction. The per share purchase price represents a premium of 45% over the volume weighted average price for the 90-day period ending February 2, 2024.
“We are on a mission to protect our customers from advanced external cybersecurity threats. The volume and sophistication of these attacks continue to increase each week, and our customers need true partners that are aligned with them for years to come,” said James C. Foster, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZeroFox. “With Haveli Investments, ZeroFox has identified a strong partner with the right combination of high growth software experience, strategic and operational resources, and a shared passion and commitment to external cybersecurity. We believe that this transaction represents a compelling outcome for ZeroFox stockholders, particularly given the volatility in the market, and best positions ZeroFox for our next phase of growth.”
“We’re excited to partner with ZeroFox, a leader in Digital Risk Protection and Threat Intelligence,” said Ian Loring, Senior Managing Director and Executive Chair of the Haveli Investments Software Fund. “ZeroFox’s innovative solutions enable organizations to proactively identify, manage, and remediate external digital threats at scale. With a large and expanding customer base, and consistent growth, ZeroFox is well positioned in an important and expanding category. We look forward to working closely with ZeroFox’s talented leadership team to propel the company into its next phase of growth as the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve.”
“A special committee of the ZeroFox board conducted a thorough evaluation of capital structure alternatives, which included multiple discussions and interactions with a number of financial and strategic partners,” said Todd Headley, Lead Independent Director of the ZeroFox Board of Directors. “During this comprehensive process it became clear that partnering with Haveli Investments was the best path forward for customers, employees, and maximizing stockholder value.”
Transaction Details
The transaction, which was unanimously approved and recommended by a Special Committee comprised of independent members of ZeroFox’s Board of Directors and unanimously approved by ZeroFox’s Board of Directors, is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by ZeroFox stockholders and the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.
Upon completion of the transaction, ZeroFox’s common stock will no longer be publicly listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, and ZeroFox will become a privately held company.
Advisors
Piper Sandler is serving as the lead financial advisor to ZeroFox and Stifel served as an additional financial advisor. Venable LLP is serving as legal advisor to ZeroFox. BTIG and Evercore are serving as financial advisors for Haveli Investments, and BTIG is serving as structuring advisor on debt financing to Haveli Investments. Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal advisor to Haveli Investments.
About ZeroFox
ZeroFox (Nasdaq: ZFOX), an enterprise software-as-a-service leader in external cybersecurity, has redefined security outside the corporate perimeter on the internet, where businesses operate, and threat actors thrive. The ZeroFox platform combines advanced AI analytics, digital risk and privacy protection, full-spectrum threat intelligence, and a robust portfolio of breach, incident and takedown response capabilities to expose and disrupt phishing and fraud campaigns, botnet exposures, credential theft, impersonations, data breaches, and physical threats that target your brands, domains, people, and assets. Join thousands of customers, including some of the largest public sector organizations as well as finance, media, technology and retail companies to stay ahead of adversaries and address the entire lifecycle of external cyber risks. ZeroFox and the ZeroFox logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZeroFox, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Visit www.zerofox.com for more information.
About Haveli Investments
Haveli Investments is an Austin-based private equity firm that seeks to invest in the highest quality companies in the technology sector through control, minority or structured equity and debt investments with a focus on software, data, gaming and adjacent industries. The firm seeks to partner with innovative companies, entrepreneurs and management teams throughout a company’s life cycle. Haveli’s experienced team of investors and diverse industry experts will provide operational and strategic support, enabling portfolio companies to focus on driving innovation and increasing growth, scale and operating margins. Underscoring Haveli’s investments is an unwavering focus on DEI and sustainability. For more information, please visit www.haveliinvestments.com, or follow Haveli on LinkedIn, @Haveli Investments.
