Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal
Thoma Bravo
Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal podcast takes you behind the scenes of one of the largest software investors in the world. You'll hear the strategies and stories behind building Thoma Bravo’s portfolio of innovative, industry-leading software and technology companies. Presented by Orlando Bravo, “Wall Street’s best dealmaker” (Forbes), each episode offers a first-person account from the deal leads and CEOs that forged some of the largest software acquisitions at Thoma Bravo to date, and how they partnered together to innovate and grow those companies.Go ‘behind the deal’ to learn how these deals came together, gaining insight on how Thoma B...
Beyond Hurdles: Navigating Career Challenges and Driving Growth with Fran Rosch and Scott Crabill
Fran Rosch, CEO of Imprivata, joins Managing Partner Scott Crabill on this Beyond the Deal mini-sode to discuss his career journey and leadership philosophy. Rosch shares his belief in open communication, setting ambitious goals, and the importance of continuous learning. He also provides advice on navigating career challenges and emphasizes the significance of having the right people to drive results and achieve success.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.th
Mar 20, • 11:07
How Imprivata is Redefining Healthcare Security
In this episode of Behind the Deal, Imprivata CEO Fran Rosch shares how the company is revolutionizing access to critical healthcare systems with its cutting-edge security solutions. As a leader in cybersecurity for hospitals and health systems, Imprivata specializes in Access Management for shared device ecosystems, as well as streamlining and securing access for professionals in critical environments (like Healthcare). Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Scott Crabill and Imprivata CEO Fran Rosch del
Mar 13, • 39:40
How CEO Leagh Turner Fostered Trust and Teamwork to Drive Coupa’s Growth
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Holden Spaht sits down with Coupa CEO Leagh Turner to discuss her career journey and the significance of mentorship. They also delve into the future of AI and its implications for businesses. Learn about Coupa’s approach to AI governance, aiming to ensure it is utilized safely and responsibly to establish a new industry standard.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLear
Mar 6, • 15:58
How Coupa is Utilizing AI to Revolutionize Business Spend Management
Coupa has helped businesses better manage direct and indirect spend through its community-generated AI and industry-leading total spend management platform for almost 20 years. Coupa AI is informed by over $7 trillion of spend data across a global network of 10 million+ suppliers and buyers. Coupa aims to empower its customers with the ability to predict, prescribe, and automate smarter, more profitable business decisions to help companies improve operating margins. Thoma Bravo Managing
Feb 27, • 34:27
Beyond Transformation: Growth, Leadership and Innovation at HCSS with A.J. Rohde, George Jaber, and Steve McGough
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Senior Partner A.J. Rohde and Principal George Jaber discuss with HCSS President and CEO Steve McGough the company’s strong employee relationships, the true essence of leadership, the core values he took with him from his time at Texas A&M, and how the impact of treating every customer with care and respect has led them to build a reputation for award-winning service. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabra
Feb 20, • 18:58
How HCSS is a Leader in the Construction Industry's Digital Transformation
For nearly 40 years, HCSS has been a driving force in construction software, helping companies streamline operations and achieve success. In this episode of Behind the Deal, Thoma Bravo’s A.J. Rohde and George Jaber sit down with HCSS President and CEO Steve McGough to explore the company’s journey—from its beginnings in the late ‘80s to creating HeavyBid, an industry-leading estimating software for heavy civil contractors. They also discuss how HCSS is preparing for the future, positioning itse
Feb 13, • 40:33
Beyond Qlik’s AI Revolution: A Conversation with Seth Boro and Mike Capone
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro and Qlik CEO Mike Capone discuss Qlik’s growth since its 2018 acquisition by Thoma Bravo, including its global expansion from Sweden, how the company stays ahead of AI’s rapid evolution to drive ongoing business transformation and how Mike’s leadership style of “leading from the front” has helped Qlik cultivate a culture that employees deeply cherish.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.
Feb 6, • 18:07
How Qlik is Transforming Companies with AI-Powered Solutions
Season three of Thoma Bravo's award-winning podcast kicks off with a conversation between Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro & Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. Together, they explore Qlik's growth from a visual analytics company to an industry leader in data integration, analytics, and AI solutions for businesses. Listen as they explore Qlik’s differentiated vision for end-to-end AI driven solutions and how its partnership with Thoma Bravo is transforming the way companies harness thei
Jan 30, • 32:51
Behind the Deal Returns for Season 3
We’re back with season 3 of Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal! Our chart-topping and award-winning podcast offers a glimpse into the world of the largest tech-focused buyout firm. This season, hear CEOs from Qlik, HCSS, Coupa, and more share untold stories of some of Thoma Bravo's biggest and most dynamic acquisitions. New episodes drop every Thursday! For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://w
Jan 29, • 2:19
How AI is Fueling Software's Growth - Live from Miami
In a special episode of Behind the Deal live from Thoma Bravo’s Annual Meeting in March 2024, Managing Partner Seth Boro welcomes Sumit Dhawan, CEO at Proofpoint, Mike Capone, CEO at Qlik, and Charlie Gottdiener, CEO at Anaplan, to the stage to discuss how their companies are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. The CEOs share perspectives on generative AI and its impact on cybersecurity, what AI means for the future of IP and how businesses can channel AI into actionable solutions f
Apr 25, 2024 • 47:01
Beyond the Partnership Between Carl Thoma and Orlando Bravo
In this special Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Co-Founders and Managing Partners Carl Thoma and Orlando Bravo go beyond their long, storied and industry-shaping partnership to discuss the importance of fostering relationships, focusing on performance and staying humble while building a successful firm. Carl also shares his insights on the value of finding the right mentor and discusses one of the proudest moments of his life. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit
Apr 18, 2024 • 7:42
How Carl Thoma and Orlando Bravo Built the Largest Tech Buyout Firm
On the season finale of Behind the Deal, Co-Founders and Managing Partners Orlando Bravo and Carl Thoma sit down to discuss how they built Thoma Bravo into the world’s largest tech-focused buyout firm. Orlando interviews his mentor, Carl, to get his perspective on the evolution of private equity over his nearly 50-year career in the industry. The Co-Founders discuss their partnership and relive the moments, strategies, successes (and a few failures) that made their firm and their relati
Apr 11, 2024 • 37:53
Beyond the SailPoint Partnership with Seth Boro, Mark McClain and Matt Mills
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro sits down with SailPoint’s CEO and Founder Mark McClain and President of Worldwide Field Operations Matt Mills to talk about the effects of AI on identity security, being acquired by Thoma Bravo not once but twice, and what it was like to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma B
Apr 4, 2024 • 13:31
Revisiting How Thoma Bravo Took Sailpoint Public and Then Private Again
SailPoint Co-Founder and CEO Mark McClain speaks with Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro about forging a relationship that led to Thoma Bravo’s first ever IPO of a portfolio company, and then a second acquisition of SailPoint just a few years later. The conversation covers the cutting edge work SailPoint is doing in identity security, as well as the inside experience of partnering with a Private Equity firm. Behind the Deal is rereleasing this favorite from the archives alongside a brand new
Mar 28, 2024 • 30:16
Beyond the Bottomline Partnership with Brian Jaffee and Craig Saks
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Brian Jaffee sits down with Bottomline CEO Craig Saks to talk about resiliency, the importance of bringing diverse voices into the room, and the surprising things you learn as a South African running an American company (besides just which side of the road to drive on).For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/Visit Bo
Mar 21, 2024 • 8:15
How a Take-Private is Empowering Bottomline to Further Revolutionize B2B Payments
Thoma Bravo Partner Brian Jaffee takes listeners inside the years of waiting and watching that eventually turned into a quick make-or-break opportunity to acquire Bottomline. With thirty years of history, a management shakeup, activist investors and plenty of competition, the Bottomline take-private wasn’t easy but it was worth the work. Brian is joined by Bottomline CEO Craig Saks who talks about his unique experience transitioning to CEO, the importance of optimizing cash flow, where the finte
Mar 14, 2024 • 35:17
Beyond the Foundation Software Partnership with Carl Press and Mike Ode
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Carl Press sits down with Foundation Software President and CEO Mike Ode to talk about mentorship, the importance of asking questions, and how some of the best deals get done at times when you least expect it. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/ Visit Foundation Software's website: https://www.foundationsoft.com/
Mar 7, 2024 • 9:59
How Thoma Bravo Took Foundation Software From a Family-Run Business to Private Equity-Owned
Thoma Bravo Partner Carl Press takes listeners behind the deal with Foundation Software, a leader in the world of construction subcontracting software. Family-owned and operated for over thirty years, Foundation decided to partner with Thoma Bravo in 2020 after many offers from investor groups, becoming the firm’s first fully remote deal. Carl is joined by Foundation Software President and CEO Mike Ode to talk about partnering with private equity, the construction industry’s digital tra
Feb 29, 2024 • 34:52
Beyond the Raptor Technologies Partnership with Adam Solomon and Gray Hall
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo partner Adam Solomon sits down with Raptor CEO Gray Hall to talk about the most rewarding parts of being a CEO, how to craft a leadership style employees (and customers) will want to follow, and the personal side of running a business that keeps kids safe at school.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/Visit Raptor’s websi
Feb 22, 2024 • 7:34
How Raptor Technologies Transforms School Safety Through Software
Thoma Bravo Partner Adam Solomon walks listeners through the challenges of landing a transatlantic deal with Raptor Technologies, a cutting-edge school safety software company, at a time when schools were shut down all over the world due to COVID. Adam is joined by Raptor CEO Gray Hall, and together they discuss the importance of alignment on company culture, organic vs. inorganic growth, and the power of supercharging results with a mission-driven approach.For more information on Thoma
Feb 15, 2024 • 36:40
Beyond the Nasdaq Partnership with Holden Spaht and Adena Friedman
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman and Thoma Bravo Managing Partner and Nasdaq Board Member Holden Spaht discuss Adena’s thirty-year career at Nasdaq, how changing jobs can develop your management style, and how you can literally look for luck in the world around you.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/Visit Nasdaq’s website: https
Feb 8, 2024 • 7:03
How Nasdaq's Acquisition of Adenza is Disrupting Fintech and Modernizing Markets
Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Holden Spaht and Nasdaq's Chair and CEO Adena Friedman take listeners behind Nasdaq’s multi-billion dollar acquisition of Adenza, a provider of mission-critical risk management and regulatory software to the financial services industry. Holden shares Thoma Bravo's approach to building Adenza by merging and integrating two market leaders, Calypso Technology and AxiomSL, at the height of the pandemic. Holden and Adena also discuss how the acquisition of Adenza is pos
Feb 1, 2024 • 41:41
Beyond the Dynatrace Partnership with Chip Virnig and John Van Siclen
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Chip Virnig and former CEO of Dynatrace John Van Siclen talk about some of the more rewarding challenges they’ve faced, the long steady process of learning patience, the excitement that comes with an IPO, and how to know when it’s time to step away. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/ Visit Dynatrace’s website: https:/
Jan 25, 2024 • 8:25
How a Complex Carveout Led to Dynatrace Disrupting Itself and Then an Entire Industry
Thoma Bravo Partner Chip Virnig goes behind the deal with Dynatrace: how it started, the complexities of the transaction, and the areas of value creation the Thoma Bravo team focused on throughout the partnership. From the initial carve-out to an IPO that saw Thoma Bravo’s team ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, the Dynatrace deal was never easy. Joining Chip in the studio, former Dynatrace CEO John Van Siclen gives his perspective on the growth in enterprise software as a 40-year
Jan 18, 2024 • 43:35
Beyond the Alma Deal with Ross Devor and Dr. Harry Ritter
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Ross Devor and Alma founder and CEO Dr. Harry Ritter discuss the glaring need for quality, affordable mental healthcare, learning to enjoy the journey while building a business, and the pros and cons of being a “renaissance man.” For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/ Visit Alma’s website: https://www.helloalma.com/
Jan 11, 2024 • 6:55
How Thoma Bravo Partnered with Alma to Provide Accessible Mental Health Care Solutions Across the U.S.
Ross Devor, a partner at Thoma Bravo and co-head of the firm's Growth platform, discusses collaborating with Alma's management team to improve their technology roadmap and connect their platform with therapists across all fifty states. Despite a market meltdown, Thoma Bravo saw an exciting opportunity to be a part of behavioral health care’s digital transformation and to guide Alma on crossing the path to profitability.Alma is a platform that improves access to quality, affordable menta
Jan 4, 2024 • 46:50
Beyond the Flexera Partnership with Seth Boro and Jim Ryan
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro and Flexera President and CEO Jim Ryan discuss stepping into the big role as chief executive, share memories from one of their beloved mentors, and deliberate about what they would’ve done if technology wasn’t their calling. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/ Visit Flexera's website: https://www.fle
Dec 21, 2023 • 6:56
How the Flexera Carve-Out Revolutionized IT Management
Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro gives an inside look at how the firm can hit the ground running after a platform carve-out investment. Thoma Bravo helped build out Flexera back in 2008, exited in 2011, and is now back for more with a controlling stake as of 2020. Flexera is a company that provides customers with the ability to map their IT spend to better optimize their IT estate. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro sits down with Flexera CEO Jim Ryan to talk through
Dec 14, 2023 • 37:25
Beyond the ConnectWise Transformation with Mike Hoffmann and Jason Magee
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Mike Hoffmann and ConnectWise CEO Jason Magee sit down, and go beyond their business partnership. They chat about their top business role models, their first jobs, and what they’re reading.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/Visit ConnectWise's website: https://www.connectwise.com/ To learn more about listener d
Dec 7, 2023 • 7:42
How Thoma Bravo Partnered with Founder-Led ConnectWise to Transform the MSP Industry
ConnectWise is an industry-leading robust platform of software built for technology solutions providers (TSPs) to run their entire as-a-service business. Their solutions help managed service providers (MSPs) outsource their help desk, billing, and other IT services to small and medium-sized businesses so that they can focus on their products, not IT problems.Thoma Bravo Partner Mike Hoffmann sits down with ConnectWise CEO Jason Magee to discuss their partnership and the importance of a
Nov 30, 2023 • 37:47
Beyond the J.D. Power Transformation, with Scott Crabill and David Habiger
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Scott Crabill and J.D. Power President and CEO David Habiger’s conversation goes deeper than just their business partnership. The two give insight into their career paths, what failure has taught them, and where they might be today if they weren’t in business together.For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedealLearn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/
Nov 22, 2023 • 7:10
How J.D. Power Uses Data to Drive the Auto Industry Forward
J.D. Power has nearly 80% name recognition for its awards, but its data business is the real hidden gem. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Scott Crabill sits down with J.D. Power’s CEO David Habiger to discuss how the company is bringing together the fragmented auto industry, and how Thoma Bravo has partnered with J.D. Power on acquisition strategy, merging two world-class companies, and flattening organizational structure. The conversation then broadens to include what it w
Nov 16, 2023 • 39:50
Beyond the Syntellis Carve Out, with A.J. Rohde and Flint Brenton
In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Senior Partner A.J. Rohde and Syntellis CEO Flint Brenton’s conversation continues outside the bounds of their partnership. The two discuss tough customer calls, their favorite software sectors, and who they’re rooting for this season in the NBA. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit https://www.thomabravo.com/behindthedeal Learn more about Thoma Bravo: https://www.thomabravo.com/ Visit Syntellis's website: https://www.syntel
Nov 9, 2023 • 6:18
How Syntellis Grew from a Software Carveout to a Successful Standalone Company
In the Season Two premiere, a behind-the-scenes journey with Thoma Bravo Senior Partner A.J. Rohde to discuss our deal to acquire and carve out Syntellis, a performance management software business, from its parent company, Kaufman Hall Software. By partnering with Madison Dearborn, Thoma Bravo crafted a strategic business plan to carve out Syntellis into a standalone company.A.J. speaks with Syntellis CEO Flint Brenton, a five-time successful software CEO, about how Flint ultimately be
Nov 2, 2023 • 37:43
Behind the Deal is Back for Season 2
For even more inside looks at some of the firm’s biggest deals, Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal returns for Season 2. This season, Thoma Bravo partners will sit down with portfolio company CEOs from acquisitions like J.D. Power, ConnectWise, and Syntellis to give a behind the scenes look at some of the carve outs, acquisitions and mergers that have helped make Thoma Bravo the world’s largest tech-buyout firm. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.
Nov 2, 2023 • 2:08
How Orlando Bravo Helped Build the World’s Largest Software Buyout Firm
In the Season One finale of Thoma Bravo’s Behind The Deal, Thoma Bravo Partner Andrew Almeida connects with Thoma Bravo Founder and Managing Partner Orlando Bravo who shares his stories of success and trial and error in building Thoma Bravo. In the interview, Andrew helps listeners get to know Orlando beyond the dealmaking, as he shares inspiring stories about his mentors Carl Thoma and Marcel Bernard, tactics for staying positive and pragmatic in the face of problems, and how he applies the les
Jul 13, 2023 • 36:34
How AppOmni Seized the SaaS Security Market Opportunity
AppOmni is a leader in securing SaaS applications. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Partner Tre Sayle talks with AppOmni Co-founder and CEO Brendan O’Connor about how AppOmni has tripled in size in the year since their partnership with the Thoma Bravo Growth team began.
Jun 29, 2023 • 29:50
How a Merger Helped Veriforce Grow to Five Times Its Size
Veriforce is a global provider of contract management software for industrial markets. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Partner Hudson Smith speaks with Veriforce CEO Colby Lane about how Veriforce expanded to almost five times its original size in under five years by an acquisition process that brought Veriforce together with PEC Safety.
Jun 15, 2023 • 27:55
How Circle CVI - a Niche Category Leader in Healthcare - Has Grown with Private Equity
Circle CVI is the global leader in cardiac imaging solutions used by some of the world’s leading hospitals and physicians. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Partner Carl Press speaks with Co-Founder and CEO Greg Ogrodnick about how Thoma Bravo backed Circle CVI, a category leader in a small but very growing category of healthcare, and how their one year partnership has flourished as a result. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privac
Jun 1, 2023 • 32:05
How Quorum Overcame Adversity Through Private Equity
Quorum’s suite of software solutions for the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors is designed to cover each area of their business - from planning, operations, accounting, measurement, transportation, and logistics. Thoma Bravo Partner Tara Gadgil speaks with former Quorum CEO Gene Austin about their partnership and how they weathered the storm of the global pandemic by continuing to invest in their product and serve it’s customers effectively in a difficult time. To learn more about
May 18, 2023 • 35:29
How Leadership Transformed the Culture of Conga
Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Holden Spaht tells the story of how CEO Noel Goggin turned Conga into a market leader for commercial operations transformation by focusing on company culture and customers.
May 4, 2023 • 28:06
How Majesco Brings the Speed of Private Equity to Transform the Insurance Business
Majesco is a leader in providing technology and software solutions for the life, property, and casualty insurance business. In this episode, Thoma Bravo Senior Partner AJ Rohde speaks with Majesco CEO Adam Elster about how the company partnered with Thoma Bravo to use the speed of private equity to expedite the digitization of the insurance industry. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad ch
Apr 20, 2023 • 37:22
How Apryse Achieves Fast Growth and High Margins
Apryse is a leading provider of document processing technology for developers and enterprises. On this episode of Thoma Bravo’s Behind The Deal, Apryse CEO Cassidy Smirnow and Thoma Bravo Operating Partner Kristin Weston reflect on how Cassidy has led the company through a total rebrand and has achieved accelerated growth with high margins as a result.
Apr 6, 2023 • 30:52
How SailPoint Keeps Business Identities Safe
SailPoint Co-Founder and CEO Mark McClain speaks with Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro about how they forged a relationship that led to Thoma Bravo’s first ever IPO of a portfolio company, and eventually acquiring SailPoint twice over the course of a decade. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 23, 2023 • 29:24
How ABC Fitness Keeps Your Gym Running
Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Scott Crabill details how ABC Fitness quadrupled their client base after Thoma Bravo acquired the fitness technology company in 2018, and then discusses how ABC’s go-to-market strategy was transformed and taken to the next level with ABC Fitness CEO Bill Davis. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 9, 2023 • 42:25
