Private Debt Intelligence – 6/21/2021
Cybersecurity and software drive mega deal trend in private debt
2021 has seen 22 private debt megadeals ($1bn+ deals) so far, three of which were in the software sector and two of which were in IT security/cybersecurity. The biggest was the $12.3bn all-cash acquisition of US cybersecurity company Proofpoint by Thoma Bravo, which Fitch Ratings said was part-financed with a $2.6bn first lien secured loan, an $800mn second lien secured loan, and a $250mn secured RCF. The Proofpoint deal helped push the total megadeal value for IT security to $13.5bn, slightly more than the $12.8bn in software.
(Past performance is no guarantee of future results.)
Contact: Laura Messchendorp
laura.messchendorp@preqin.com
Latest news
Software, consumer-related direct lending deals fell in H1'26
The software and technology sector, the second-most-active sector in 2025 at 17% of total deal activity, slid to fifth place in the first half of 2026.
Unconquered Territory
With most of the map still unexplored, there’s room for a sequel.
