Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is the successor to Golder Thoma & Co., which was established in 1980 by Stanley Golder and Carl Thoma. The firm is credited with creating the "consolidation" or "buy and build" investment strategy, focusing on acquiring companies in fragmented markets and growing them through organic improvements and strategic acquisitions. After several name changes and partner shifts, including the departure of Bryan Cressey in 2008, the firm adopted its current name.

The firm is primarily known for its deep focus on the enterprise software sector, covering application, infrastructure, and cybersecurity software. It also operates in the technology-enabled business services and fintech sectors. In recent years, Thoma Bravo has significantly scaled its fundraising, closing its 15th fund in 2022 with $24.3 billion, which was noted as the largest tech-focused buyout fund raised by an independent private equity firm at that time.

While historically based in Chicago, the firm moved its primary operations to Miami, Florida, in late 2020. It has completed over 565 software and technology transactions and manages a large portfolio of over 70 software companies. The firm also expanded its platform in 2017 to include private credit investments specifically targeting the technology industry.