NEON advises IT-Seal on acquisition by Hornetsecurity

27 May 2022 | NEON has advised the shareholders of IT-Seal GmbH on its exit to Hornetsecurity, the world’s leading provider of email security and backup.

With IT-Seal, one of the most successful German cyber security startups, Hornetsecurity expands its portfolio with needs-based and metrics-based employee training in the area of security awareness. With a clear focus on the human factor, IT-Seal pursues the goal of a sustainable security culture and makes IT security awareness measurable and thus comparable by means of scientific security awareness metrics.

Founded in 2016, the technology company analyzes human IT security behavior and trains on a metrics-based and demand-driven basis with intelligent, automated learning paths. More than 800 customers rely on the award-winning technology, including Deutsche Bundesbank, BMW and FC Bayern München.

Hornetsecurity, a portfolio company of private equity investor Verdane, has grown to more than 400 employees in 10 locations and an international network of more than 5,000 sales partners in recent years through several strategic acquisitions and counts more than 50,000 companies worldwide, including Swisscom, Telefónica, KONICA MINOLTA, LVM Versicherungen or CLAAS, among its customers.

Background:

NEON regularly provides comprehensive advice on exits and acquisitions of VC-financed companies, in particular also by and from private equity portfolio companies. Our team has special expertise in advising on the interface between VC and M&A.