A fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its private equity investors, Blackstone Capital Partner VI, is to acquire acquire Vivint from its existing shareholders, including Goldman Sachs, Peterson Partners, Jupiter Partners and other minority shareholders for in excess of USD2bn.
Vivint is the largest home automation services company in North America and second largest residential security services provider.
As part of the transaction, Blackstone will acquire Vivint Solar and 2GIG Technologies from its respective shareholders. Vivint Solar is a provider of solar solutions that leverages the power purchase agreement (PPA) model to offer affordable solar power to residential customers throughout North America. 2GIG Technologies is a developer of security and automation equipment for the residential and small commercial markets.
“This acquisition by Blackstone is the next milestone needed to continue executing on our vision of connecting customers to the things that matter most to them—their homes, families, health, cars and businesses,” says Todd Pedersen, co-founder and chief executive of Vivint. “Our partnership with Blackstone will enable us to expand upon our technology-based platform, accelerate the development and release of new products and enter new markets. I am excited about our future and honored to lead the company into this exciting new era.”
The partnership with Blackstone is expected to enable Vivint to extend its position in the home automation marketplace, while developing new technologies, products and services designed to expand the company’s influence beyond the home environment into the automobile, the workplace, areas of recreation and other core spheres of human activity.
Peter Wallace (pictured), senior managing director at Blackstone, says: “Vivint is the premier provider of home technology solutions – improving customers’ lives with world-class home security, energy management, home automation, and solar energy. We believe that the company is well positioned to capture significant share of these emerging markets. Todd Pedersen and the talented team at Vivint have built a remarkable company based on cutting-edge product offerings and superior customer service. Blackstone is excited to partner with them in the next phase of the company’s continued growth and innovation.”
It is expected that the transaction will close before year end.
