Within the thriving business ecosystem of the Atlanta tech scene, companies of all sizes are fueling rapid growth, from the collaborative startup community of Tech Village to the larger Fortune 500 companies that have called the metro home for years. Recently, that growth has been extended much further.
Atlanta’s international travel accessibility, competitive business climate, low cost of living and robust talent market make it an ideal place to nurture a company. As a result, organizations from across the globe have become drawn to the diverse and innovative companies born out of the Atlanta area.
Coming off a drier period for fundraising in 2020 thanks to the pandemic, companies are actively searching for alternative growth avenues, such as mergers and acquisitions. The global M&A market is valued at more than $4.3 trillion so far this year, as reported by CNBC, and it’s on track to hit $6 trillion by the end of the year.
Though these numbers include SPAC mergers — where private companies go public through acquisitions — Atlanta has certainly seen its fair share of tech acquisitions in 2021.
During the summer of 2020, email marketing platform Mailchimp added enterprise feedback management startup BigTeam to its ranks. This year, it was Atlanta-based Mailchimp’s turn to be acquired by fintech giant Intuit.
As the M&A market continues to grow in Atlanta, Built In has compiled a running list of local tech companies acquired in 2021. With the exclusion of SPAC mergers, this list will be updated as more tech acquisitions are announced.
Acquired by Orion Advisor Solutions
Specializing in wealth building technology, Orion announced on October 22 its plans to acquire cloud-based compliance management solution BasisCode Compliance. The Atanta-based company plans to scale its offerings as it expands to serve Orion’s audience, and Orion will add BasisCode’s tech to its fintech integrations. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Acquired by Goldman Sachs
In a deal worth $2.2 billion, the Atlanta-based fintech company announced it’s getting acquired by VC firm Goldman Sachs. GreenSky lets merchants offer “buy now, pay later” solutions that bypass credit cards for customers making big purchases. The transaction, announced in September, is expected to close in late 2021 or early 2022, and it will allow Goldman Sachs to leverage GreenSky’s tech and provide expanded solutions through Marcus bank.
Acquired by Intuit
Specializing in email marketing technology, Mailchimp was acquired by fintech company Intuit, creator of tools like TurboTax, Mint and QuickBooks. Announced on September 13, the $5.7 billion acquisition closed on November 1. The deal enables the companies to develop an end-to-end customer growth platform for SMBs that will provide tools for building an online presence, insights and analytics, payroll and more.
Acquired by Avionté
Providing staffing firms with tech that allows them to build an online platform, WorkN was acquired by Minneapolis-based Avionté, a company that provides firms with tools for applicant tracking, billing, payroll and more. Financial terms of the acquisition announced on September 13 were not disclosed. The deal makes WorkN a division within Avionté where it will be able to deliver its online mobile platform at scale.
Acquired by UPS
Same-day delivery company Roadie is joining forces with Atlanta-based shipping and logistics giant UPS, as announced on September 10. Atlanta-based Roadie specializes in delivering items that are oversized, perishable or improperly packaged. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal is set to close in Q4 of 2021. With the addition of Roadie’s technology, UPS plans to provide local same-day delivery services as well as additional small package capabilities.
Acquired by Haivision Systems
Joining forces with Montreal-based video streaming company Haivision Systems, CineMassive develops interactive video monitors that cover entire walls. Its tech enables hardware and software producer Haivision to expand into the defense, government and enterprise sectors. The $30 million transaction closed on August 4.
Acquired by Waystar
Cloud-based healthcare payments software provider Waystar is acquiring Patientco. The latter’s platform aims to help patients gain a better understanding of their healthcare costs upfront by offering solutions for patient payments, communications and engagement. The deal, announced on July 15, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. When it closes, the companies will work together to offer smoother consumer experiences when paying medical bills.
Acquired by Engine Media Holdings
Announced on June 16 and closed on July 6, Sideqik joined sports and esports gaming platform Engine Media, integrating with the company’s subsidiary Stream Hatchet. Sideqik offers solutions to help brands, agencies and marketers discover, connect and execute campaigns with content-creating influencers. The acquisition enables Engine Media to advance its advertising and media offerings.
Acquired by Harris
Offering health systems and physician groups a point-of-care solution with tools for revenue optimization, data intelligence and workflow automation, Atlanta-based Ingenious Med plans to increase its platform’s exposure and fuel innovation after its June 29 acquisition by Harris. Harris provides and acquires vertical market software solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Acquired by insightsoftware
Raleigh-based insightsoftware announced its acquisition of app-based intelligence company Izenda on April 15. Insightsoftware provides enterprise tools for financial reporting and performance management, and with the addition of Izenda’s tech, the company wants to continue expanding its operational reporting and analytics capabilities.
Acquired by GCOM
Authomate develops digital identity tech that protects users’ credentials and increases security controls. It was acquired by GCOM, a company that gives governments tools for digital transformation across a range of sectors. The acquisition, announced on April 6, will allow government entities to layer identity protection solutions, like biometrics, on top of their existing applications without the need for additional hardware.
Acquired by Redfin
Seattle-based real estate brokerage Redfin bought Atlanta’s RentPath for $608 million in a deal announced on February 19. RentPath operates online platforms for apartment rentals in over 200,000 buildings. Upon merging, Redfin plans to double RentPath’s audience and create more rental opportunities for properties across its sites. The acquisition was completed on April 2.
Acquired by MessageBird
Joining the MessageBird team alongside another company, data startup Hull provides AI tech that can help MessageBird track customers’ data across different messaging platforms. This capability, combined with Amsterdam-based 24Sessions’ video meeting tech, will enable MessageBird to connect businesses with customers via chat, messaging and video apps. The deal was announced on March 30.
Acquired by b4b
Providing enterprises with photo documentation and reporting solutions, FotoIN sold majority control of its business to b4b on March 22. B4b is a partner and leading consulting company of SAP, an enterprise software producer. The company plans to integrate FotoIN’s tech with the SAP ecosystem, focusing on international enterprise content management and visual document management applications.
Acquired by EasyPark Group
Swedish parking tech company EasyPark added Atlanta’s ParkMobile to its team. ParkMobile allows drivers to find, reserve and pay for parking on their phones. The newly combined company now offers solutions for digital parking, EV charging and mobility services. The acquisition, which was announced in March and closed on June 1, expanded EasyPark’s footprint into the North American market. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Acquired by Axonify
Offering a digital learning solution that uses adaptive learning technology, MLevel was acquired on March 16 by Axonify, a platform that provides frontline employees with personalized training. MLevel’s tech compliments Axonify’s platform as it serves customers across industries like food service, retail and financial services. Upon merging, the companies will provide their customers with combined modern learning solutions.
Acquired by Jack Henry
Providing payment processing solutions for the financial services industry, Jack Henry acquired Stackfolio, an Atlanta company that provides lending tools, on March 3. Now known as the Jack Henry Loan Marketplace, the company gives banks and credit unions access to research and analytics on lending trends and activity, helping them make more informed trading decisions.
Acquired by Hodinkee
Operating an e-commerce platform for pre-owned luxury watches, Crown & Caliber was acquired by New York-based Hodinkee, a platform that produces content like podcasts and articles about luxury watches. The deal was announced on February 18. Both brands will continue to operate independently but will integrate each other’s features onto their websites following the acquisition.
Acquired by ClickDimensions
With its solution that monitors the performance of a company’s website, search, email marketing campaigns and more, Atlanta-based Eletype was acquired by ClickDimensions, a marketing tech company that integrates with Microsoft Dynamics 365. Announced on February 11, the partnership will enable ClickDimensions to enhance its tech to provide intelligent monitoring solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Acquired by Horicon Bank
The Atlanta fintech company offers tools to help younger generations with financial literacy and planning, and its tech was acquired by Horicon Bank in February. Prior to the acquisition, the companies worked together to advance their digital banking options. The acquisition furthers Horicon’s mission to become the “future of fintech,” indicating a shift in the traditional community banking model.
Acquired by FLEETCOR
Formerly known as Roger, Corpay One was acquired by business payments company FLEETCOR back in January. Corpay One offers SMBs an automated, cloud-based software solution for online bill payment. The acquisition allowed FLEETCOR to extend its middle-market corporate payments business into the SMB space. Both companies are based in Atlanta.
