SUBJECT: An Exciting New Chapter for Pluralsight
Team,
Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in
Pluralsights evolution. Moments ago, we announced that weve entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners, a leading global investment firm focused on enterprise software, data and technology-enabled
businesses. This agreement will allow us to build upon what weve created together in the years ahead. You can read the press release here.
Over the
past 17 years, we have done an incredible job reaching new and larger customers and continuing to innovate in our products and solutions. Our customers recognize the value that we provide in developing world-class technologists and technology teams
and empowering them to drive the next wave of innovation for their organizations. I am more confident than ever in the importance of what we deliver to our customers.
Amid a year of challenge and change, our products, our brand and our outstanding team attracted the interest of a highly respected, technology-focused
investment firm that has conviction in our strategic vision. The Board and I carefully reviewed the opportunities available to our company, including continuing as a standalone public company. We want to be sure that we are best positioned to
continue to grow and innovate, and of course, our Board and executive leadership team must consider our responsibilities to shareholders. Ultimately, we determined that this transaction with Vista is the best path forward.
Vista has a proven track record of helping management teams drive profitable growth. They have pioneered an investment and operating model for market-leading
SaaS companies with substantial untapped opportunity ahead of them. And the global Vista ecosystemover 65 software companies with more than 70,000 employees, serving over 200 million usersprovides significant resources and
institutional knowledge that will open doors and help fuel our growth. Youll likely recognize some of the companies that Vista has acquired and helped succeed, including Marketo, Jamf, and Ping Identity.
As a private company supported by Vista, Pluralsight will be positioned to move faster and be more agile, accelerate our strategic vision and further
strengthen our leading market position. Importantly, Vista and our executive team are committed to our people, business and product strategy and Vista shares our belief in the transformative power of technology and technology skills. One of the many
reasons they are excited about Pluralsight is because they and many of their portfolio companies are Skills and Flow customers. We look forward to leveraging their expertise to further improve our operations and performance and deliver deeper, more
powerful solutions that help companies adapt and thrive in the digital age. Im very excited about our future with Vista.
Its important to
know that todays announcement is the first step in completing this transaction. For this to happen, we need to satisfy certain conditions, including receiving approval from Pluralsight shareholders. We expect to complete the transaction in the
first half of 2021. Until the close, we will continue to operate as usual.
Right now, our top priority is closing out Q4 strong. I know I can count on
you to remain focused on supporting our customers, partners, authors and instructors to ensure that we finish 2020 with success and enter 2021 with a running start.
To talk more about todays announcement, please join our Town Hall tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. MT. To address some of your questions prior to the Town Hall,
you can check out this FAQ on Life@PS.
This agreement is a testament to your outstanding work. Im so proud of all that weve accomplished
together. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence, being a lifelong learner, delivering for our customers and partners, and supporting each other.
I look forward to hearing from you all tomorrow and over the coming weeks.
Aaron
Additional Information and Where to Find It