Alantra advises Livingbridge on its debt financing from Wells Fargo and Accel-KKR Credit Partners
SECTORTechnology
ServiceDebt Advisory
Boston – Alantra, a leading global investment bank and asset management firm, is pleased to announce that Semafone, a market-leading provider of data security and compliance solutions, has secured debt financing to support Livingbridge’s recent acquisition of Semafone. The financing was provided by Wells Fargo Capital Finance, a division of Wells Fargo and Accel-KKR Credit Partners, a credit fund managed by Accel-KKR, a leading global software-focused investment firm. Alantra served as sole financial advisor in arranging the financing for Semafone and to Livingbridge related to the acquisition of Semafone.
Founded in 2009, Semafone provides secure cloud, hybrid and on-premises solutions to contact centers and businesses that accept payments. It enables organizations to collect personal data securely across all channels including telephone, webchat, social media, email, SMS, and QR codes. Through its patented data capture methods, sensitive information is collected directly from the customer for processing. These methods prevent any data breaches, protecting against the risk of fraud and the associated reputational damage, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
“We have spent the last decade building the best solutions in the industry, and now is the time to grow and take the company to the next level,” said Gary E. Barnett, CEO, Semafone. “We are excited to have Livingbridge as our partner as they share our vision for global market leadership. Our commitment to ensuring data security is as strong as ever, and with this investment we now have the opportunity to educate, inform, and change the way organizations process and secure sensitive customer data.”
“Our investment in Semafone is timed with an increased demand for consumer data protection,” said Curt Kahn, Head of US at Livingbridge. “With a portfolio of solutions that aid in the prevention of data breaches, identity theft, and payment fraud, the opportunity is now for Semafone to capitalize on its offerings, and we are thrilled to invest in the company’s growth. When selecting our financial institutions, the key factors were knowledge of the software sector, ease of execution and flexibility, all of which Accel-KKR and Wells Fargo delivered.”
“Data protection is paramount,” said Michael Ackad, Senior Managing Director and Head of Technology Finance at Wells Fargo Capital Finance, in a company statement. “Preventing any compromise of customer information is a key focus for businesses globally, and Semafone provides assurance to contact centers and their clients that sharing of sensitive end customer information is safely managed through a secure software platform.”
“Contact centers are evolving but the need for direct customer interactions will not change, yet consumer protection remains critical regardless of the communication channels,” said Samantha Shows, Managing Director at Accel-KKR, in a company statement. “Semafone has a robust, omnichannel platform and serves as a critical tool for contact centers to offer robust consumer information protection. Semafone is well positioned for future growth, and we are pleased to be able to support that.”
“Semafone’s highly experienced management team coupled with Livingbridge’s deep expertise in the sector enabled us to market an outstanding company with a top-tier client base which is positioned for substantial growth in the U.S. and abroad,” added Scott Hadfield, Managing Director at Alantra. “We look forward to following the continued success of Semafone and believe Wells Fargo and Accel-KKR will be great partners in supporting the Company’s continued growth.”
