Clearwater cybersecurity firm to be acquired for $4.6 billion

Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Austin, Texas, has reached an agreement to acquire KnowBe4 Inc. (NASDAQ: KNBE), three weeks after making an offer to the fast-growing, Clearwater-based cybersecurity company.

The all-cash transaction is valued at $4.6 billion, according to a news release, and shareholders will receive $24.90 per share — 44% higher than the closing price of KnowBe4 stock on Sept. 16, the last full trading day before Vista publicly disclosed its initial proposal. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.