Unison receives new private equity backing

Contract and program management software provider Unison Global is getting a new private equity backer nearly two years after the company was re-acquired by a now-former owner.

Madison Dearborn Partners has agreed to acquire majority ownership of Unison from Carlyle Group, which will keep its minority stake alongside other existing investors that include members of Unison's management team.

Terms of the transaction announced Tuesday were not disclosed, but all parties expect it to close in the third quarter of this year.

Dulles, Virginia-headquartered Unison was founded in 1983 and took on its current name in 2019 to present a more unified posture in the federal market.

Federal agencies and government contractors use the company's software offerings to keep track of projects, procurements and supply chain functions.

"MDP’s track record of successful partnerships with vertical enterprise software, procurement and supply chain, and government services and technology companies will greatly benefit Unison as we enter this pivotal new chapter in Unison’s history," Unison CEO Reid Jackson said in a release.

Chicago-headquartered MDP's other major government market holdings include airborne intelligence systems maker AEVEX Aerospace and space systems integrator Linquest Corp., the latter of which was jointly acquired four years ago with fellow private equity firm CoVant.

Baird is the exclusive financial adviser and Latham & Watkins is legal counsel to Unison and Carlyle, which also received other financial advisory services from PwC.

Lincoln International is MDP’s exclusive financial adviser, while Kirkland & Ellis and Crowell & Moring are legal counsel to the investment firm. Antares Capital has provided committed financing to the transaction.