With more than USD83 billion in assets under management, Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software investment firms in the world. The firm has an almost 20-year track record of partnering with management teams of software and technology companies to implement best practices, invest in growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings with the goal of creating value. Thoma Bravo has acquired more than 325 software and technology companies representing over USD100 billion of value.
Last year, the firm completed a USD22.8 billion fundraise across three funds: Thoma Bravo Fund XIV, a USD17.8 billion fund, Thoma Bravo Discover Fund III, a $3.9 billion fund, and Thoma Bravo Explore Fund, a USD1.1 billion fund. Each fund reached its hard-cap and was significantly oversubscribed, with a mixture of existing and new investors participating in the fundraise. Thoma Bravo Fund XIV is not only the largest flagship fund in the firm’s history but was also the largest-ever tech-focused private equity fund at the time of the close.
Thoma Bravo Fund XIV is focused on large equity investments; Thoma Bravo Discover Fund III is focused on middle-market equity investments; and Thoma Bravo Explore Fund is focused on lower middle-market equity investments.
The fundraising process took approximately nine months and was completed almost entirely virtually and came less than two years after Thoma Bravo raised USDS12.6 billion for Thoma Bravo Fund XIII. These funds significantly enhanced the firm’s ability to invest in high-quality software and technology companies around the world and have enabled Thoma Bravo’s involvement in some of the biggest acquisitions of the year – notably the take-privates of Proofpoint for USD12.3 billion, RealPage for USD10.2 billion, Medallia for USD6.4 billion, Stamps.com for USD6.6 billion, Talend for USD2.4 billion and QAD for USD2 billion.
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations and Marketing at Thoma Bravo, Jennifer James, plays an instrumental role in the firm’s fundraising through fostering deep relationships with LPs – serving the needs of existing investors and introducing new investors to Thoma Bravo. “Thoma Bravo’s demonstrated track record and industry expertise positioned us to successfully execute this past fundraise and to invest in companies poised for growth as we continue to drive successful outcomes for our investors,” says James.
Thoma Bravo pioneered the buy-and-build investment strategy, and first applied this strategy to the software and technology industries 20+ years ago. Unlike many other firms, Thoma Bravo’s investment philosophy is centered around working collaboratively with existing management teams to help drive operating results and innovation. The firm executes through a partnership-driven approach supported by a set of management principles, operating metrics and business processes.
“Our investors recognise the value our partnership-driven approach brings to the table as well as the growing importance of software and technology-enabled services,” said James. “We appreciate their ongoing support and are excited to continue investing as stewards of their capital.” 
Jennifer James, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Investor Relations and Marketing, Thoma Bravo
Jennifer James joined the firm in 2015 and leads Thoma Bravo’s efforts to serve the needs of the firm’s existing investors, introduce new investors to Thoma Bravo, and oversee its industry communications programs. James brings nearly 20 years of experience in private equity/venture capital investor relations, fundraising and marketing to Thoma Bravo. She most recently served as Partner, Investor Relations & Marketing, for Sofinnova Ventures. James earned her MBA from Northwestern University and her undergraduate degree in history from Bowdoin College.
