In a bold move reshaping the tech management landscape, Francisco Partners announced it will acquire Jamf in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $2.2 billion, signaling one of the most significant private equity takeovers in enterprise software this year. The transaction, unveiled Wednesday, is being guided by Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

A New Chapter for Jamf

Jamf, renowned for helping companies manage and secure Apple products across the workplace, said that the transition to a private company will give it greater financial flexibility and strategic agility to expand faster through innovation and acquisitions.

Approved unanimously by Jamf’s board, the transaction is slated to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals.

“Since Jamf’s founding more than 20 years ago, we’ve relentlessly pursued our mission to help organizations succeed with Apple,” said John Strosahl, Jamf’s CEO. “Becoming a private company positions us to move faster—accelerating growth, expanding through innovation and M&A, and fortifying our market leadership.”

Francisco Partners Bets Big on Apple Ecosystem Growth

Francisco Partners, a private equity firm known for its high-profile technology investments, sees Jamf as a pivotal player in enterprise Apple management.

“We continue to see tremendous opportunity for Jamf given its enviable position in the market,” said Cherry Zou, vice president at Francisco Partners. “We’re excited to support Jamf’s next phase of growth and help deliver an even broader, more secure suite of products to customers.”

The acquisition will remove Jamf from public trading and potentially allow it to pursue bolder long-term strategies without the short-term pressures of Wall Street.

Vista Equity to Exit, Applauds Jamf’s Transformation

Vista Equity Partners, which owns 34% of Jamf, agreed to vote its shares in favor of the transaction and will exit its investment upon closing.

Vista hailed Jamf as “the trusted platform for managing and securing Apple devices,” adding that the firm was “proud to have partnered with Jamf through a transformative period that solidified its leadership within the Apple ecosystem.”

Legal Powerhouses Behind the Deal

The legal architecture of the acquisition is being led by two powerhouse firms:

• Kirkland & Ellis LLP, representing Francisco Partners, with partners David Klein, Heath Mayo, and Daniel Wolf steering the transaction.

• Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, advising Jamf, led by partners Atif Azher and Naveed Anwar.

The Future of Jamf: Private, Focused, and Poised for Expansion

With Apple devices continuing to dominate the enterprise landscape, Jamf’s move to go private may prove visionary. The company stands at the crossroads of security, device management, and digital innovation—an area where speed and flexibility can define leadership.

As the ink dries on the Francisco Partners to acquire Jamf deal, one thing is clear: the partnership could redefine how businesses deploy, secure, and scale their Apple ecosystems in a rapidly evolving digital world.