At what enterprise value was MCAFEE acquired in 2021?

During the acquisition of MCAFEE by ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / PERMIRA / CROSSPOINT CAPITAL PARTNERS in 2021, the company was valued at an estimated revenue multiple of 5x - 12x. The transaction's Enterprise Value is estimated to be in the range of 3b - 100b USD. By registering for free, you get access to complete and exact transaction details including enterprise value, revenue, and EBITDA. Additionally, our database shows that the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) industry currently tracks an average EBITDA multiple of 14.8x, providing a valuable benchmark for this transaction.

What was the EV/EBITDA of MCAFEE when it was acquired by ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / PERMIRA / CROSSPOINT CAPITAL PARTNERS?

The estimated EV/EBITDA multiple for MCAFEE is in the range of 15x - 25x. For comparison, the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector currently shows an average EBITDA multiple of 14.8x. Join our community for free to access full valuation data and industry trends.

What was the revenue of MCAFEE at the time of the deal?

The revenue of MCAFEE at the time of the deal is estimated to be in the range of 1b - 3b USD. Register for free to access the full transaction report and exact valuation multiples.

What was the EBITDA of MCAFEE during the acquisition?

MCAFEE's EBITDA is estimated to be in the range of 450M - 900M USD. Join our community for free to access complete and exact deal data.

What is Enterprise Value (EV)?

Enterprise Value (EV) is a measure of a company's total value, often used as a more comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization. EV includes in its calculation the market capitalization of a company but also short-term and long-term debt as well as any cash on the company's balance sheet.

What is the EV/EBITDA multiple and why is it used?

The EV/EBITDA multiple is a financial ratio that compares a company's Enterprise Value (EV) to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). It is widely used in M&A and valuation because it allows for comparisons between companies with different capital structures and provides a clear view of operational profitability.

How is the data for the MCAFEE acquisition sourced and is it reliable?

Mynth data is contributed by a professional community of M&A and Private Equity experts. Each transaction, including the MCAFEE deal, is systematically cross-verified by our team using private deal documents and official sources. You can also find the official press release for this transaction here: https://www.permira.com/news-and-insights/announcements/mcafee-to-be-acquired-by-an-investor-group-for-over-14-billion

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Home Database TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom)MCAFEE

11/2021

MCAFEE acquired by ADVENT INTERNATIONAL, PERMIRA & CROSSPOINT CAPITAL PARTNERS

UNITED STATES Software EV 3b - 100b USD

Context

A consortium composed of Advent, Permira, Crosspoint, CPP Investment, GIC and ADIA is acquiring McAfee Corp. to transition the cybersecurity provider from a public to a privately held structure, enabling focused investment in product development and operational initiatives. The agreement includes a go‑shop period during which McAfee's board may solicit alternative proposals, while the buyer has secured equity and debt financing commitments to fund the transaction. The acquisition follows a definitive merger agreement that outlines the rights of both parties and the conditions for closing. The strategic rationale for the purchase centers on removing public market constraints, allowing McAfee to pursue longer‑term technology roadmaps and capitalize on emerging security market opportunities without quarterly earnings pressure. The investor consortium anticipates leveraging the company’s subscription revenue base to service the financing structure and to fund research and development aimed at expanding cloud and threat‑intelligence capabilities. Alignment of ownership interests is expected to enhance governance efficiency and accelerate decision‑making across product, sales, and partnership functions. Post‑closing, the combined entity is projected to streamline capital allocation, refinance existing obligations, and reinvest cash flow into expanding global delivery centers and enhancing the threat‑intelligence platform. The private ownership model is intended to provide greater flexibility in pricing, contract structuring, and strategic acquisitions, thereby strengthening McAfee’s competitive position in the cybersecurity market and delivering incremental value to enterprise customers worldwide.

MCAFEE, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2021, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (14.8x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

McAfee Corp. develops and markets cybersecurity solutions that protect devices, networks, and data from malicious activity. Its portfolio includes endpoint protection platforms, cloud security suites, network intrusion detection systems, and threat intelligence services. The company sells subscription licenses and professional services to enterprise customers, government agencies, and small‑to‑medium businesses across multiple industries. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring software subscriptions, with additional fees for consulting, incident response, and managed security offerings. Founded in the late 1980s, McAfee originated as a security research firm before expanding into commercial software and establishing a global sales organization. The firm maintains research and development centers in North America, Europe, and Asia, supporting continuous updates to its threat database and product features. Its distribution network combines direct sales teams, channel partners, and cloud marketplaces to reach customers in more than 150 countries.

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 3b - 100b USD

Revenue range: 1b - 3b USD

EBITDA range: 450M - 900M USD

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of MCAFEE by ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / PERMIRA / CROSSPOINT CAPITAL PARTNERS are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Press release: view release

Target: mcafee

Acquirer: permira / crosspoint capital partners / advent international