EKB was the lead lawyers for the shareholders of Software Professionals, Inc., the parent of Jet Global Data Technologies, Inc., in the sale of the shares of Software Professionals to TA Associates Management LP and the merger of Jet Global and insightsoftware, a subsidiary of TA.
The letter of intent between Software Professionals and TA was entered into on February 25, 2019, and the sale and merger were completed on April 30, 2019. This was a quick close for a transaction of this size and complexity and was accomplished, in large part, by the focus and diligence of our clients and the lawyers at EKB.
TA acquired Jet Global to strengthen insightsoftware’s Excel-based reporting capabilities designed specifically for users of Microsoft Dynamics.
About Jet Global
Founded in 2002, Jet Global is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has offices in 14 regions, across 24 time zones, and currently has over 14,000 companies using its products in 94 countries.
Jet Global provides solutions for executives, finance professionals, and managers by providing unparalleled, secure access to their data. Jet Global’s solutions are “cost effective, provide rapid time-to-value, and are built specifically for the needs of Microsoft Dynamics ERP users”.
“When we needed guidance, support, and expertise regarding something as important to us as the sale of our business, we turned to the team at EKB.
EKB was recommended to us by a colleague that described Bill Hartley and his team as highly knowledgeable legally and in the software industry. We found both to be true and increasingly relied on the team for guidance and execution on legal projects. The EKB team consistently listened, learned and delivered as promised. Fraser Hartley, Larissa Dziubenko, and Jake Schroder did an amazing job when they were asked complete a big task in a short time. The team was really effective and we got the results that we needed at each milestone. I highly recommend EKB.” — Joe Little, CEO Jet Global (retired)
About TA Associates Management LP and the Merger
TA is a Boston based private equity firm with over 50 years of experience.
TA acquired Software Professionals as a strategic acquisition to merge Jet Reports with insighsoftware. In 2018, TA merged Global Software and Hubble, both ERP reporting businesses, to create insightsoftware. After creating insightsoftware, TA acquired Excel4apps and CXO, strengthening insightsoftware’s position in reporting software. The acquisition of Jet Reports will create a dominant ERP reporting company.
Our Team
The team from EKB was led by Bill Hartley, an experienced solicitor, and included business lawyers Fraser Hartley and Larissa Dziubenko, with assistance from articling student Jake Schroeder. EKB managed the transaction on behalf of the sellers, providing strategic and tactical advice and leading the negotiations of the legal documents.
EKB worked closely with Brent Jones and Alex Imas of the Seattle office of Garvey Schubert Barer, a Globalaw partner, and John Maragoudakis of the New York office of Anderson Tax. GSB provided advice on US law to the sellers. Anderson provided tax advice to the sellers.
EKB provides clients with strategic advice on all aspects of local and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Our focused M&A team is ready to respond efficiently to your transaction, regardless of timing, size, scope or complexity.