Sunday, July 10, 2016

Google Acquires Anvato for Media Content Platform

Google has acquired Anvato, a start-up based in Mountain View, California that provides video processing software for TV operators, programmers, and broadcasters. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Anvato said its software will now be offered on the Google Cloud Platform.

Anvato lists NBCUniversal, Univision, Scripps Networks, Fox Sports, and Media General as among its customers.

Anvato is headed by Alper Turgut, who previously led Verkata and was co-founder of Aligo. The team also includes Ismail Haritaoglu, Mehmet Altinel, Oztan Hamanci, and Matt Smith.

Anvato was funded by Oxantium Ventures.

https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2016/07/welcome-Anvato-to-the-Google-Cloud-Platform-team.html
http://www.anvato.com

Avast + AVG Merger Extends Cyber Reach to 400 Million Endpoints

Prague-based Avast Software agreed to acquired AVG Technologies N.V. for $25.00 per share in cash, for a total consideration of approximately $1.3 billion. The offer price represents a 33% premium over the July 6, 2016 closing price and a premium of 32% over the average volume weighted price per share over the past six months.

Both companies offer antivirus software and Internet security services.  Both were founded in the Czech Republic in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The combined company will cover more than 400 million endpoints, of which 160 million are mobile. The increase scale of the combined company will provide a deeper network of de facto sensors for tracking emerging cyber threats across the Internet.

Avast currently serves over 230 million endpoints.  The company has over 500 staff in Prague, Czech Republic, with additional offices in the USA, Germany, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

AVG, which is now based in Amsterdam, serves over 200 million endpoints.

"We are in a rapidly changing industry, and this acquisition gives us the breadth and technological depth to be the security provider of choice for our current and future customers," said Vince Steckler, chief executive officer of Avast Software. "Combining the strengths of two great tech companies, both founded in the Czech Republic and with a common culture and mission, will put us in a great position to take advantage of the new opportunities ahead, such as security for the enormous growth in IoT."

"We believe that joining forces with Avast, a private company with significant resources, fully supports our growth objectives and represents the best interests of our stockholders," said Gary Kovacs, chief executive officer, AVG. "Our new scale will allow us to accelerate investments in growing markets and continue to focus on providing comprehensive and simple-to-use solutions for consumers and businesses, alike. As the definition of online security continues to shift from being device-centric, to being concerned with devices, data and people, we believe the combined company, with the strengthened value proposition, will emerge as a leader in this growing market."

http://www.avast.com
http://www.avg.com/

Polycom Drops Mitel Merger, Agrees to Private Equity Buyout

The Board of Directors of Polycom terminated a previously announced merger agreement with Mitel Networks Corporation, and instead approved a new merger agreement with Triangle Private Holdings I and Triangle Private Merger Sub, entities affiliated with Siris Capital Group.

Under the new deal with Siris, outstanding shares of common stock of Polycom will be exchanged for $12.50 per share in cash at the completion of the merger.

On July 7, 2016, Mitel Networks Corporation waived its right to renegotiate its merger agreement with Polycom after receipt of notice of the Polycom board’s determination that Siris was offering a superior deal. Polycom will pay a merger termination fee to Mitel.

http://www.polycom.com





Mitel to Acquire Polycom for Nearly $2 Billion


Mitel agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Polycom common stock in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $1.96 billion, including $3.12 in cash and 1.31 Mitel common shares for each share of Polycom common stock, or $13.68 based on the closing price of a Mitel common share on April 13, 2016 -- a 22% premium to Polycom shareholders based on Mitel's and Polycom's recent share prices. The deal combines Mitel's leadership...