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Thoma Bravo, the heavyweight in software-focused private equity, has fired a major salvo in the European investment landscape. Backed by legal powerhouse Kirkland & Ellis LLP, the firm announced Tuesday the successful closing of its first European-focused fund, locking in an impressive €1.8 billion ($1.89 billion) from investors.

Dubbed the Thoma Bravo Europe Fund, this dedicated pool of capital is set to reshape Europe’s software sector by fueling middle-market businesses across key regions. The mission? To supercharge entrepreneurs, founders, and management teams, catapulting their companies into industry titans.

Europe’s Tech Boom: Thoma Bravo Eyes Massive Growth

With a strong foothold in the U.S., Thoma Bravo is now turning up the heat on European tech.

“The closing of our first Europe Fund represents a significant opportunity to deepen our presence in the region,” said Irina Hemmers, a Thoma Bravo partner and head of its European office. “Europe is digitizing rapidly, and leading software companies are increasingly looking for dedicated support and investment to accelerate their growth strategies.”

And Thoma Bravo isn’t exactly a newcomer. The firm has been playing the European field for 14 years, deploying over €14 billion in equity across 16 transactions. But since setting up shop in London just two years ago, the firm has fast-tracked its expansion, completing four major investments across the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.

Thoma Bravo’s Billion-Dollar Vision for Europe

The closing of this fund marks a defining moment for Thoma Bravo’s global ambitions.

“This is a milestone for our firm,” said Orlando Bravo, founder and managing partner. “We see an enormous opportunity to back Europe’s technology innovators and help them scale, and we are grateful for the long-term support of our investors in realizing this ambition.”

With a war chest exceeding $166 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, Thoma Bravo is a dominant force in tech-driven private equity. The firm’s strategy spans private equity, growth equity, and credit investments, all laser-focused on technology and software.

Portfolio Power: Where the Money’s Flowing

Thoma Bravo’s investment lineup is already stacked with high-impact tech companies, including:

• ABC Fitness – A cutting-edge tech provider for the fitness industry.
• Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. – A leader in advanced cardiac imaging software.
• Imprivata – A global provider of authentication and identity solutions for healthcare.
• Raptor Technologies – A pioneer in school safety software and mobile security solutions.

As the fund kicks into gear, more European software firms could soon find themselves under Thoma Bravo’s investment umbrella.

Legal Muscle Behind the Deal

Global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP played a key role in steering Thoma Bravo’s European fund to completion. The firm’s advising team included investment fund experts Katie St. Peters, Amy Fox, Luke Scott, and John Muno—a legal dream team ensuring the fund’s smooth launch.

With a vault of fresh capital and a clear vision, Thoma Bravo’s European expansion is just beginning. As tech innovation accelerates across the continent, the private equity juggernaut is positioning itself as a central force in shaping the software giants of tomorrow.