KKR Boosts Datagroup Takeover Offer Up to €58 per Share

KKR has raised its acquisition bid for Frankfurt-listed IT services provider Datagroup SE, potentially offering up to €58 ($65.84) per share under certain conditions. The private equity firm initially proposed €54 per share in an all-cash deal that valued Datagroup at roughly €450 million.

Under the revised offer, shareholders will receive €56.50 per share if KKR secures at least 80% of Datagroup’s outstanding shares. If that threshold rises to 90%, the offer price increases to €58 per share. If neither condition is met, the original €54 offer remains in place. The acceptance period is open until June 6, 2025.

KKR confirmed it will not further increase its bid beyond these terms. Once the transaction is finalized, Datagroup will be delisted from the stock exchange, with the acquisition expected to close in Q3 2025.

Datagroup, which employs around 3,700 people across Germany, reported in March that it anticipates revenue to grow to between €545 million and €565 million in the current fiscal year. The company's strong national presence and projected growth make it a strategic target for KKR's expansion in the European IT services sector.

The updated offer structure, linked to shareholder acceptance rates, is designed to incentivize a broader buy-in while securing a smoother path to delisting. Investors now face a clear deadline and price tier incentives, with no further revisions expected.

This strategic move underscores KKR’s focus on scaling within Europe’s IT sector and strengthens its position through the acquisition of a growth-oriented German tech firm.