Private Equity Firms Race for High-Tech Assets
The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for private equity firms, many of which are under increasing pressure to exit long-held investments and reinvest in high-growth opportunities. With AI-driven business analytics in high demand, Dun & Bradstreet presents a lucrative play for Clearlake’s portfolio.
Clearlake, a Santa Monica, California-based investment giant managing over $90 billion in assets, has a strong track record in technology, industrial, and consumer sector deals. The firm has led or co-led more than 400 investments, deploying over $57 billion worldwide.
Can a Rival Bidder Emerge?
As part of the agreement, Dun & Bradstreet has a 30-day “go-shop” period, allowing it to seek alternative proposals. This window could invite competing offers, though Clearlake’s financial firepower and strategic positioning make it a formidable bidder.
Clearlake has assembled an elite group of financial advisers, including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Rothschild & Co, Barclays, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Santander, and Wells Fargo. With this level of backing, the firm’s takeover of Dun & Bradstreet seems more a question of when—not if.
