Blackstone Eyes $3 Billion Jackpot With Vivint IPO or Sale
Blackstone is reportedly in talks with investment banks about conducting a dual-track sale process for smart home technology leader Vivint.
PROVO, Utah — Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) is pursuing an initial public offering (IPO) or sale of Vivint, which could result in a $3 billion windfall for the asset management firm.
Blackstone is in talks with investment banks about conducting a dual-track sale process for Vivint, according to The Wall Street Journal. An IPO or a sale could potentially give Vivint an equity valuation of $3 billion and an enterprise valuation of $6 billion. Blackstone has backed the smart home technology leader for nearly five years, completing its purchase of Vivint for more than $2 billion in 2012.
The news comes on the heels of Sprint (NYSE: S) announcing that it will roll out Vivint smart home products across 16 stores and, eventually, 80 stores by the end of the year.
The dual-track process is a common option for private equity firms looking to exit an investment, as it allows the firm added leverage in striking a deal when both a sale and an IPO are on the table. The preference is typically a full sale, as the IPO market has recently spiked in volatility, the Journal reports.
Two years after acquiring Vivint, Blackstone took its sister company Vivint Solar public. Last year, the maker of solar panels terminated a planned merger with SunEdison after SunEdison’s board began investigating claims from both a former and a current employee challenging the accuracy of SunEdison’s financial disclosures.
The residential security market has been a lucrative niche for private equity firms as of late. Apollo Global Management last year acquired ADT Corp. in a nearly $7 billion deal, and is already preparing an IPO that could value the company at well over $15 billion including debt, the Journal has reported.
AT&T is also looking to unload some smart-home technology. The company’s security unit, AT&T Digital Life, has 400,000 to 500,000 customers and could be worth $1 billion in a sale, Reuters recently reported.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
