TPV initially invested in Apigee (NASDAQ:APIC) in July 2008 when the company was known as Sonoa Systems. The company originally targeted their hardware appliance-based technology at Systems Oriented Architecture (SOA), challenging the industry-leading IBM as enterprises quickly developed to connect application elements over networks. After recognizing in 2010 that there was a transformational opportunity to apply Sonoa’s core technology, Third Point Ventures helped the company rebrand itself as Apigee and pivot to a focus on enterprise digital transformation via a software platform for APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
Since then, APIs have become the highway for the fast-moving digital economy. Apigee’s industry-leading API platform enables enterprises to meet the demands of customers with scalable and flexible digital technology. API platforms allow businesses to increase innovation while adapting to highly variable customer needs by securely providing shared data and services. The Apigee Edge API Management Platform connects digital experiences in a secure environment. Apigee’s API platform delivers analytics, security, developer portals, monetization, and policy enforcement. Since 2010, over 300 leading global enterprises have selected Apigee to enable their digital business, including more than 30% of the Fortune 100, four of the top five Global 2000 retail companies, and five of the top ten global telecommunications companies.
The benefits of interacting digitally drive a large market opportunity. Forrester predicts that U.S. companies alone will spend nearly $3 billion on API management by 2020. Apigee now employs approximately 400 people. Drawing investors with its attractive growth profile, Apigee completed a successful initial public offering (NASDAQ: APIC) in April 2015. On September 8, 2016, Google announced their intention to acquire Apigee for $ 625 million in cash. Pending approvals, the transaction is expected to close later this year.
Over an eight year period, TPV steadily assisted and guided the company as we invested in the Apigee Series B at $25 million valuation and the Series C, D, E, F, G, and H financing rounds before buying into the IPO. We have not sold shares and have remained active on the Board continuously since our first investment. Following the conclusion of the pending transaction, Apigee will have generated an IRR of ~20% and a multiple of invested capital of 2.4x.
From Third Point's third-quarter 2016 commentary.
