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Crosspoint and Enlightenment snatch up cybersecurity providers; Crestview goes to the movies

Good morning dealmakers, thank goodness it’s Friday!

It’s Obey Martin Manayiti here with the Wire.

As we are heading into this holiday weekend, I have some entertainment-focused deals for movie lovers, including one from BDT.

And to cap off the week, I will start with six PE-backed cybersecurity deals – all of which were announced this month, demonstrating a very robust market.

Modern times

As cybersecurity threats proliferate, the companies defending against them continue to attract private equity. Witness Vista Equity Partners’ $4.6 billion take-private deal for cybersecurity training specialist KnowBe4, which closed on February 1.

Since then, the pace of dealmaking within the space has quickened, especially in the mid-market. In the month of May alone, I identified six deal announcements.

To find out which PE firms are investing in cybersecurity – and why – subscribe to the premium version of the Wire.

Part of your world

As many people head to movie theaters this weekend to see The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy and other films, you may want to take another look at Iris Dorbian's coverage of how PE firms are investing in Hollywood.

Iris spoke with Crestview Partners' Brian Cassidy about the firm's recent investment in talent firm The Gersh Agency.

Subscribers may read the story, with details on a previous successful exit of Crestview’s that provides a model for Gersh, here.

More popcorn please

BDT Capital Partners announced this morning a $125 million investment in National Amusements, a Norwood, Massachusetts-based movie theater operator. BDT Capital Partners is an affiliate of BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank.

Details can be found in the premium version of the Wire.

Also check out Iris's recent story, highlighting six Hollywood deals in six months, here. 

That’s all from me.

Note: The Wire will not be published on Monday in Observance of Memorial Day.

Have a nice long weekend, and MK will be back with you on Tuesday.

Cheers,

Obey

Read the full wire commentary on PE Hub ...

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