Advent Set to Acquire U-Blox in $1.3 Billion Deal
Deal News | Aug 18, 2025 | Zawya
Advent International, a private equity firm, announced its intention to acquire U-Blox Holding, a Swiss technology company, for approximately 1.05 billion Swiss francs ($1.3 billion). The acquisition offer, carried out by Advent's indirect subsidiary ZI Zenith, includes a public tender offering of 135 Swiss francs per share, representing a 53% premium to U-Blox's volume-weighted average share price over the last six months. The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions and is expected to be finalized within six months. Prior to this announcement, U-Blox had been restructuring, focusing its business on navigation and positioning technology for cars, robots, and farm equipment. The company recently reduced its first-half loss significantly from the previous year and sold part of its business related to cellular modules for wireless communication.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Technology
- Automotive
Geography
- Switzerland – U-Blox Holding is a Swiss company being acquired.
- United States – Advent International is a private equity firm based in the United States.
Industry
- Private Equity – Related to the acquisition activities of Advent International, a private equity group.
- Technology – U-Blox operates within the technology industry, specifically in microchips and software for navigation.
- Automotive – U-Blox's technology is used in car navigation systems, linking it to the automotive industry.
Financials
- $1.3 billion – Total acquirement cost of U-Blox by Advent International.
- 1.05 billion Swiss francs – Equivalent value of the acquisition in Swiss francs.
- 135 Swiss francs per share – The offer price per share representing a 53% premium to U-Blox's average.
- 7.7 million francs – U-Blox's first-half loss before interest and tax, reduced from 28 million francs a year earlier.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advent International | Acquirer | Company | A private equity group planning to acquire U-Blox. |
| U-Blox Holding | Target | Company | A Swiss technology firm specializing in navigation and communication technology. |
| ZI Zenith | Bidding Company | Company | An indirect subsidiary of Advent International responsible for executing the tender offer. |
| Dave Graham | Reporter | Person | One of the reporters of the original news story. |