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Vista Equity Partners To Acquire Marketo, Inc. For $1.79 Billion

Vista Equity Partners To Acquire Marketo, Inc. For $1.79 Billion

SAN MATEO, Calif., May 31, 2016 — Marketo, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTO), the leading provider of engagement marketing software and solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners (“Vista”), a leading private equity firm focused on investments in software, data and technology-enabled businesses.
Marketo logo.

The terms of this all-cash deal provide substantial value to Marketo shareholders. Vista will acquire all outstanding shares of Marketo common stock for a total value of approximately $1.79 billion. Marketo shareholders will receive $35.25 in cash per share, representing a 64% premium to the unaffected closing price as of May 9, 2016.

“After careful consideration and deliberation, our Board of Directors unanimously concluded that the sale of Marketo to Vista Equity Partners was in the best interest of Marketo and its shareholders,” said Phil Fernandez, chairman and CEO of Marketo. “The acquisition will allow Marketo to continue to focus on customer success and to remain the independent category leader, continuing to set the agenda for product innovation and thought leadership for the entire digital marketing industry. It will also enable us to successfully deliver on the bold vision we recently set forth – to give tomorrow’s marketers and the C-suite an ultra-high-scale enterprise platform for customer engagement.”

“Marketo is the clear leader in the marketing automation space and has consistently delivered innovative mission critical products to its more than 4,600 customers,” said Brian Sheth, co-founder and president of Vista. “Given our proven track record and focus on investing in high-growth SaaS platforms, we are thrilled to partner with Phil and the broader Marketo team to help the company accelerate innovation, growth, and excellence.”

Marketo headquarters will remain in San Mateo. Closing of the deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Marketo shareholders and antitrust approval in the United States. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016.

Morgan Stanley is serving as financial advisor to Marketo, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is serving as legal advisor to Marketo. Vista’s legal advisor is Kirkland & Ellis LLP.