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Absorb Has Been Acquired by WCAS

Absorb Software Profile

  • Absorb Software, a portfolio company of Silversmith Capital partners, is a leading cloud-based learning technology company
  • Absorb LMS, the company’s flagship product, is an industry-leading and award-winning Learning Management System trusted by organizations around the world; the company’s line of results-driven LMS products also include Absorb Infuse, the first true in-the-flow learning experience, and Absorb Create, a cloud-based course builder offered as both a standalone product and a seamless Absorb LMS integration
  • Absorb was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, AB

Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe Profile

  • Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) is a leading U.S. private equity firm with more than $27 billion of committed capital focused on two target industries: technology and healthcare
  • The firm partners with outstanding management teams and builds value for its investors through a combination of operational improvements, growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions
  • WCAS was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in New York, NY with an additional office in San Francisco, CA

Silversmith Capital Partners Profile

  • Silversmith Capital Partners is U.S. private equity firm with $2 billion of capital under management
  • Silversmith’s mission is to partner with and support the best entrepreneurs in growing, profitable technology and healthcare companies
  • Silversmith was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Boston, MA
“The current market demand and long-term outlook for best-of-breed eLearning solutions is extraordinary, and Absorb is proud to be leading the pack. This new investment speaks volumes to the increasing value of Absorb's platform. I'm thrilled about the momentum we established with our initial investment from Silversmith, and this new partnership with WCAS will accelerate our growth and fuel innovation as we invest heavily in our product and drive expansion throughout the entire organization.”

Mike Owens

CEO, Absorb Software

“Absorb is led by a strong management team with a highly differentiated LMS platform that has been changing the way organizations deploy training and engagement with both internal and external stakeholders. We believe the company is uniquely positioned to continue its rapid market share capture and product leadership to establish Absorb as the clear next generation leader in LMS.”

Ryan Harper

General Partner, WCAS

“Silversmith has had a great partnership with Absorb since serving as the company's first institutional investor in 2017. It was gratifying to see the significant investments made in sales and marketing result in accelerated organic growth, and we applaud the company's ability to successfully integrate four accretive acquisitions. We congratulate Mike and the Absorb team, and wish them continued success in their next stage of growth.”

Jim Quagliaroli

Managing Partner, Silversmith Capital Partners

  • Absorb’s acquisition by WCAS was announced on April 20, 2021; the investment achieves a greater than $500m valuation for the company
  • Shea & Company served as the exclusive financial advisor to Absorb Software and Silversmith Capital Partners
Read The Press Release