AvePoint Secures $2 Billion Valuation Through SPAC Merger
Key Details of the Landmark Deal
Enterprise SaaS leader AvePoint has announced its path to becoming a publicly traded company through a strategic merger with Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation. The SPAC deal values the Microsoft cloud governance specialist at approximately $2 billion, marking a significant milestone in the company’s 20-year journey.
Transaction Highlights:
- $352 million from Apex’s balance sheet
- Additional $140 million in private investment (PIPE)
- Expected $252 million net proceeds after transaction costs
- Existing AvePoint shareholders to retain 72% ownership of the combined entity
Leadership Powering the Transition
The merger brings together an impressive roster of tech industry veterans:
- Jeff Epstein, former Oracle CFO (Apex Co-Chairman)
- Brad Koenig, ex-Goldman Sachs tech banking head (Apex Co-Chairman)
- Tianyi Jiang, AvePoint Founder and CEO
Notably, Koenig’s prior involvement with AvePoint through Goldman Sachs’ participation in the company’s $200 million Series C round in January 2020 adds valuable continuity to the partnership.
From SharePoint Roots to Cloud Governance Leader
Founded in 2001 to simplify on-premise SharePoint implementations, AvePoint has successfully pivoted to become a cloud-first SaaS platform. The company now provides critical governance solutions for:
- Microsoft 365
- SharePoint Online
- Microsoft Teams
“This transition enables us to accelerate our growth across product innovation, global expansion, and customer success initiatives,” stated CEO Tianyi Jiang regarding the public listing.
Financial Performance and Projections
AvePoint demonstrates strong financial momentum:
- $294 million total funding raised prior to merger
- Projected $150 million revenue for 2020
- 30%+ annual recurring revenue (ARR) growth rate
- 2022 projections:
- $257 million revenue
- $220 million ARR
The company’s consistent growth trajectory since Q1 2019 positions it well for public market success.
Image Credits: AvePoint
Next Steps for the Public Debut
The transaction is expected to finalize in Q1 2022, after which AvePoint will trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol AVPT. This move provides the company with significant capital to expand its market leadership in Microsoft cloud governance solutions while maintaining its established brand identity.