Good year ahead for the UK software and voice devices market?

Values have proven more unstable: after a large fall in 2009, deal value went up again in 2010, thanks to the large Sophos and Inspired Gaming buyouts, and remained high in 2011 at €1.3bn.

Values might also hold up well in 2012 as a result of Bridgepoint's buyout of BigHand. Indeed, the transaction is the largest so far this year followed by the £46m Autologic buyout backed by ISIS and the £49m LDC take-private of Workplace Systems International. Combined market value up to late April is €217m, similar to that witnessed last year.

Finally, the SBO of BigHand is a rather large transaction compared to similar businesses in the voice device space. In recent years, deals in the sector – including Voice Commerce Group backed by Thule Investments, Paver Downes Origin backed by MSIF, New Voice Media backed by Notion Capital and Eden, and Qire backed by Maren's Capital – were all small scale early-stage or expansion transactions that did not approach Bridgepoint's recent investment size and importance in terms of technology and market opportunities.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• UK / Ireland
• Bridgepoint
• LDC
• Market Insight