NewsJul 7, 2022

Hg takes Ideagen private

A company backed by private-equity firm Hg agreed to buy Ideagen, the maker of Q-Pulse, for about $1.41bn (£1.06bn) in May 2022. It took control in July 2022, and Ideagen PLC became Ideagen Limited.

In May 2022 Rainforest Bidco, a company backed by funds controlled by the private-equity firm Hg, agreed to buy Ideagen for about $1.41bn (£1.06bn). Shareholders were to receive $4.65 (350p) a share.1 Ideagen was then a public limited company, Ideagen PLC. Pound figures are converted at our fixed exchange rate.

The UK register shows Rainforest Bidco as owner of 75% or more of Ideagen’s shares from 7 July 2022. Further up the chain, an Hg nominee company holds more than half of Rainforest Topco Limited.2 On 13 July 2022 the company changed its name from Ideagen PLC to Ideagen Limited.3

The group has kept buying other businesses since. Its accounts for the year to 30 April 2025 show two acquisitions in that year and four more in June and July 2025. They also show revenue of $293.8m (£221.1m), a loss before tax of $220.7m (£166.1m), and debt facilities of $1.84bn (£1,383m), of which $1.45bn (£1,094m) was drawn.4

What it means for buyers

Our Ideagen Quality Management review notes that the terms let Ideagen raise fees once a year with no cap, and that several G2 reviewers report steep price rises at renewal.

About: Ideagen Quality Management review