Adobe 周一宣布放弃了与价值 200 亿美元的云端设计师平台 Figma 的交易,指出在欧洲和英国获得反垄断批准的“道路不明确”,这本应该成为软件初创公司最大规模收购之一。
这笔现金和股票交易是去年九月宣布的,但最终未能通过监管机构的严格审查,这些监管机构担心大型科技公司的收购将增强主导公司的市场力量,或涉及被视为新兴竞争对手的初创公司。
Adobe 将向总部位于旧金山的 Figma 支付 10 亿美元的终止费用。Figma 的基于 Web 的协作平台用于设计和头脑风暴,受到优步、Coinbase、Zoom 视频通讯和许多其他公司的使用。
据知情人士透露,Figma 过去一年已将团队规模从 800 人扩大到 1300 人,预计今年年度营收将增长 40%,超过 6 亿美元。该公司还一直在扩大。 Ash-flow positivity is an important indicator for public market investors when assessing potential IPO candidates.
Both Figma and Adobe have capitalized on the trend of generative AI. Figma has introduced new features as it ventures into software development, while Adobe has launched generative photo tools like Adobe Firefly.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in Britain recently expressed concerns that the deal between Figma and Adobe could stifle innovation in software utilized by the majority of UK digital designers. Similar worries have been raised by the EU regarding potential competition reduction.
Insiders familiar with the situation revealed that although both companies have been in regular contact with antitrust agencies in the UK, EU, and the US to navigate the deal, UK regulators have recently indicated that Adobe may need to divest Figma design as a condition for approval.
Adobe, whose shares saw a 1% increase, has resisted providing remedies to the CMA, arguing that no proposed solution could adequately address the concerns raised. Adobe公司的首席执行官Shantanu Narayen周一表示,公司“强烈不同意最近的监管结论,但我们相信独立前进符合我们各自的最佳利益。”
欧洲委员会未立即回应评论请求,而英国竞争与市场管理局表示将取消其调查。
英国竞争与市场管理局近几个月来一直备受关注,因为它针对包括微软以690亿美元收购动视暴雪在内的知名交易的举措。
几位分析人士表示,此次终止显示并购交易更严格的审查也可能破坏初创企业的机会。 "这不仅仅是大型技术公司所做的,也是那些可能无法获得有利退出溢价的较小技术公司所做的," Running Point Capital Advisors的首席投资官Michael Ashley Schulman表示。"在Figma的情况下,它接受了Adobe提出的一份报价,是其估值的两倍。"
Figma的交易被视为对"未来工作方式"的一种押注,但投资者对高昂的价格标签和潜在的利润蚕食的担忧使得Adobe的市值在宣布时蒸发了超过300亿美元。
这对于Figma的风险投资支持者来说也是一个重大胜利,包括Index Ventures、Sequoia Capital、Greylock Partners和Kleiner Perkins。
Index Ventures合伙人Danny Rimer在一封电子邮件声明中表示,Figma将作为一家独立公司取得成功,拥有一个不可思议的团队、明确的使命和专注。