French Thales Group Acquires Israeli Cybersecurity Firm Imperva in $3.6 Billion Deal

Significant development within the cybersecurity industry: The French Thales Group has reached an agreement to acquire the Israeli information security company Imperva for an impressive $3.6 billion. The deal, expected to be finalized by the end of the year, will mark a remarkable turn of events for Imperva, which had been purchased by the American Thoma Bravo Fund for $2.1 billion in 2018.

Imperva, founded in 2002 under the name "Webcohort" by Shlomo Kramer, Amichai Shulman, and Miki Bodai, has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge software that helps organizations safeguard their sensitive data. The company's commitment to providing top-notch data protection solutions led to its rebranding as Imperva in 2004, accompanied by a change in its logo and branding.

In a major milestone for the company, Imperva was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2011, showcasing its rapid growth and widespread recognition in the industry. However, this successful run as a publicly-traded company came to an end in January 2019 when Thoma Bravo completed the acquisition, making Imperva a privately-owned entity once again.

While the acquisition in 2018 marked a moment of success for Imperva's founders and the State of Israel, the recent sale to Thales Group will not yield significant financial gains for the Israeli stakeholders. The deal's intricate terms include a pre-existing arrangement that allocates the profits from the sale to the Thoma Bravo Foundation, the current owner of Imperva, rather than distributing substantial returns to the Israeli founders or the State of Israel.

The acquisition by the French multinational Thales Group is expected to bolster its position in the cybersecurity market and offer enhanced protection capabilities to its clientele. As the deal progresses towards finalization, employees of Imperva will receive their due benefits after the completion of the acquisition.

The multi-billion-dollar transaction marks an important milestone in the history of Imperva, showcasing its growth from a pioneering Israeli cybersecurity firm to an internationally recognized leader in data protection solutions. As the world continues to face evolving cybersecurity threats, this acquisition positions Thales Group as a key player in the global efforts to safeguard sensitive information and defend against cyberattacks.