
Dell in Deal to Go Private
Just last week I was writing about the importance of sometimes ignoring Wall Street analysts whose focus on quarterly earnings can force a company into neglecting its best interests. Bowing to the demands of quarterly reporting (and profits) reflects short-term thinking that might prevent long-term success. Today Dell decided to go private in a $24 […]

The Next Chapter of Socialtext
Today I’m pleased to share that Socialtext has gained a strategic investment by Bedford Funding ($1.4B PE firm) and will integrate with Peoplefluent. They are all gassed up and stepping on the accelerator. There is a strong strategic fit with…

Today, Material Change of Control Clauses Really Matter
With all of the M&A activity flaring up in the software space, some customers are scouring their license contracts to see what rights they’ll have (or not). Did you do a material change of control clause?

SEC Defines Venture Capital
The SEC fulfilled their obligation under the Frank-Dodd financial reform bill and defined what venture capital is. Represents itself to investors as being a venture capital fund. Only invests in equity securities of private operating companies to provide primarily operating or business expansion capital (not to buy out other investors), U.S. Treasury securities with a […]

Friday Rant: Is Private Equity a Better Buyer of Software Companies Than Other Vendors?
Madison Dearborn’s recent Fieldglass buyout (here, here) provides further proof that today’s private equity firms might be better strategic — that’s right, strategic and not financial — buyers of software companies than software…

Lawson & Issues on two fronts: Earnings and Icahn
Lawson’s earnings today and the position that Carl Icahn has accumulated in Lawson Software make for an interesting time for software buyers. How might Lawson react?

Peopleclick Authoria – A Perfect Merger or Act of Desperation?
Today, Authoria announce the merger with Peopleclick to create Peopleclick Authoria. Bedford Funding, the private equity firm that owns Authoria is spending $100 million to acquire and merge the companies. I’d love to say I had my crystal ball out when we recorded the Bill Kutik Radio Show a few weeks ago and predicted […]