Tampa, Florida – June 17, 2016 – Hyde Park Capital Advisors, LLC (“Hyde Park Capital”) is pleased to announce the recent investment in and recapitalization of Data Blue, LLC (“Data Blue”) by The Gores Group and Platinum Equity. Founded in 2011, Data Blue delivers customized storage, backup and server virtualization and consolidation solutions to enterprise customers in North America. Hyde Park Capital served as the exclusive investment banker to Data Blue for this transaction.
“We are excited to partner with Gores and Platinum as we enter the next chapter in our history. We appreciate Hyde Park Capital’s efforts working with us to bring this deal together with two of the most well regarded technology focused private equity investment firms in the country. Our employees, customers and partners will all benefit from the significant capital and experience that this new partnership brings to Data Blue. This investment allows us to double down on customer service while expanding our product offering,” said Stephen Ayoub, CEO of Data Blue.
Jon Gimbel, Managing Director at The Gores Group, said “we are committed to building a world class IT solutions provider and believe that Data Blue is the cornerstone of this investment thesis. Stephen and his team have created an incredible business that we believe is clearly differentiated in the market.”
“We appreciate Hyde Park Capital introducing us to Data Blue and helping to facilitate this investment.”
“Data Blue has incredibly talented employees and valued customer and vendor relationships,” added Matt Louie, Principal at Platinum Equity. “We look forward to supporting them to continue to grow, both organically and through acquisitions.”
“We are pleased to have represented Data Blue and to have worked with the Company’s principals on this very important transaction for Data Blue’s employees and shareholders” said John Hill, Senior Managing Director with Hyde Park Capital. “Data Blue has been tremendously successful and this important transaction creates a strategic partnership for the Company with two leading global private equity investors focused on the technology services sector. Hyde Park Capital is delighted to have initiated and helped negotiate this important transaction for Data Blue as the Company’s investment banker.”
About Data Blue
Data Blue is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and delivers customized storage, backup and server virtualization and consolidation solutions to enterprise customers, with specific emphasis on Fortune 1000 companies. By utilizing its vast cross-platform integration expertise and unparalleled product knowledge, Data Blue delivers solutions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients’ IT environment. More information about Data Blue is available at www.data-blue.com.
About The Gores Group
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm’s operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its almost 30 year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com) is a global investment firm with more than $6 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of more than 25 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 20 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 175 acquisitions.
About Hyde Park Capital
Hyde Park Capital is an institutionally focused investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions and private placements and serving the corporate finance needs of middle market public and private companies. Our principals have extensive investment banking experience executing merger & acquisition engagements, including purchase and sale of company assignments, recapitalizations, financial advisory, fairness opinions and raising growth capital and acquisition financing for companies, including equity, mezzanine and senior debt. As one of the most active investment banking firms in the Southeast, our professionals have advised on more than 300 corporate investment banking transactions totaling more than $10 billion in transaction value. We are headquartered in Tampa, Florida and are a member of FINRA and SIPC. For additional information on Hyde Park Capital, visit www.hydeparkcapital.com or call (813) 383-0202.
