Ottawa-based Halogen Software has been acquired by California-based Saba, which delivers a cloud-based intelligent talent management and engagement solution. Saba is a portfolio company of Vector Capital, which is also involved in the acquisition.
According to the Ottawa Business Journal, Halogen was acquired for $293 million. Halogen is one of Ottawa’s largest publicly-traded companies, and raised $55 million in an IPO in 2013.
“Saba has a clear vision for the future of talent development and understands the powerful role learning and engagement experiences play in driving individual and business performance,” said Pervez Qureshi, CEO of Saba. “Combining Saba’s unrivaled learning and engagement capabilities with the proven innovation Halogen brings to performance management, we expect to accelerate delivery against this vision and rapidly create new value for our joint customers. This strong foundation for growth and innovation and our combined expertise will enable Saba to meet the ever-changing workplace needs of people and help organizations more effectively adapt, perform and thrive.”
“Both Halogen and Saba’s cultures share an unwavering focus on customer success.”
Halogen’s cloud-based talent management suite helps companies think strategically about talent programs, and includes ongoing performance management, employee coaching and development, and features to align an individual’s goals with the organization’s strategy. The acquisition means that, combined, Saba and Halogen will serve 4,000 customers worldwide.
“We have built Halogen into a market leader in performance management by investing in the talented and innovative team that began here in Ottawa more than 20 years ago,” said Michael Slaunwhite, executive chairman of Halogen Software.
Slaunwhite, who is also Halogen’s co-founder and largest shareholder, will become the chairman of the combined company and will be one of its largest independent shareholders. “I look forward to joining forces with Vector Capital, and Saba. Together, we have the opportunity to scale faster and lead the way in performance, learning, and engagement and expand our global impact.”
“As part of Saba, Halogen’s next generation performance vision is expected to accelerate by pairing our deep expertise in performance with the pioneers in continuous learning, collaboration, and engagement. Both Halogen and Saba’s cultures share an unwavering focus on customer success,” said Les Rechan, president and CEO of Halogen commented. “Together, we believe we can deliver on the future of people-centric, team-optimized performance, development, and engagement, and deliver it on a global scale, and with the unrivaled customer experience Halogen is known for.”
