Thoma Bravo, Google partner to bring AI to portfolio firms

Thoma Bravo and Google Cloud have launched a partnership to support enterprise software companies.

The deal gives Thoma Bravo’s portfolio access to Google’s AI models, engineering support, and sales channels through the Google Cloud Marketplace and co-sell programs.

The deal also covers cybersecurity, with Thoma Bravo’s cybersecurity portfolio companies set to work with Google Cloud on AI-related security risks such as identity governance, access control, and threat detection.

Thoma Bravo said its cybersecurity portfolio represents roughly US$8 billion in total revenue value and includes Proofpoint, SailPoint, Darktrace, Ping Identity, Sophos, Imprivata, and Exabeam.

🔗 Source: Thoma Bravo

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

A private equity giant’s scale could offer Google a distribution shortcut for enterprise AI

The partnership lets Google Cloud reach enterprise software buyers through Thoma Bravo, the world’s largest software-focused investment firm 1.
Thoma Bravo manages more than US$183 billion and backs over 580 software and technology companies, creating a large set of businesses where Google Cloud can roll out AI products 1.
Portfolio companies get support beyond tools. The agreement includes access to Google Cloud engineers for hard technical work, plus additional sales paths through Google Cloud Marketplace and co-sell programs 1.

The deal could shape private equity playbooks and add to security consolidation pressure

The arrangement may guide how private equity firms raise portfolio value by pairing AI platform adoption with operational upgrades, which could prompt similar cloud alliances across the industry 1.
It could also speed up consolidation among cybersecurity vendors as large customers seek more connected security suites and platforms 2.
Generative AI helps cybercriminals scale social engineering, which means scams that trick people into sharing sensitive information or granting access. Darktrace reported a 135% jump in “novel social engineering” within a month of ChatGPT’s launch 2.
Work with Google Cloud on AI-driven security risks, including identity governance, access control, and threat detection, could help Thoma Bravo’s cybersecurity holdings align their security efforts more closely 1.