IAS Acquired and Taken Private by Investor

In New York, media measurement and optimization platform Integral Ad Science (IAS) has announced its acquisition by Canada-based private equity firm Novacap, in an all-cash transaction valuing it at around $1.9 billion.

IAS' platform provides detailed and enriched data helping to ensure that ads are 'seen by real people in safe and suitable environments', while improving return on ad spend for advertisers and yield for publishers. Novacap, which bought audience targeting specialist Cadent two years ago, will now acquire all outstanding shares of IAS for $10.30 per share in cash - a premium of c.22% to IAS's closing share price on September 23rd. Current shareholder Vista will conclude its investment upon close.

The deal has been unanimously approved by the IAS Board of Directors, and by others holding a majority of remaining IAS shares - and is expected to close before the end of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. IAS will retain its current name and brand, but will cease to be traded publicly.

'Today's announcement is an exciting milestone for IAS,' says Lisa Utzschneider (pictured), CEO of IAS. 'As a private company with the support of Novacap, we will have access to new resources to achieve our strategic goals and further build upon the differentiated value we bring our customers as we advance our mission to be the global benchmark for trust and transparency in digital media quality. I'm proud of the strong momentum we've built for our company, the strength of our AI-powered measurement and optimization platform, and the outstanding work of our employees.'

Samuel Nasso, Partner at Novacap, says the firm will work to accelerate the pace of innovation at IAS, 'to deliver even more powerful advertising solutions for customers around the world.'

Web site: www.integralads.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.