Thoma Bravo co-founder and managing partner Orlando Bravo says artificial intelligence is reshaping how investment research is created and consumed. Speaking to PE Hub, he said the firm is "fired up" about the latest add-on for its portfolio company Blue Matrix, which agreed last week to acquire financial research and event intelligence business Aiera. Bravo said banks and buy-side firms should get to know the company because it is solving a major problem and will become the industry standard.
Based in New York, Aiera provides investment professionals with access to financial content, earnings call transcripts and broker research. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2026. The plan is to combine Aiera's technology with Blue Matrix's reach across broker research, expert insights, news, live events, transcripts and filings. Thoma Bravo acquired Blue Matrix in 2024. Based in Durham, North Carolina, and founded in 1999, Blue Matrix is Aiera's fourth add-on deal, following RMS Partners, RANOS and Street Context in 2025.
In HVAC, Tigertail Capital Partners' Advantage Distribution Holdings has acquired Badger Metals, a Wisconsin distributor of HVAC equipment, parts and supplies to contractors. ADH is the first platform of Tigertail Capital Partners, a Miami-based firm led by Zach Katz, Alex Gatof and Andrew Och that makes control investments in founder-owned US businesses with enterprise values of up to $100 million. Badger's branches in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Madison and Rhinelander take ADH's footprint to 17 locations across seven states.
ADH will provide Badger with additional capital, technology, procurement resources and operating capabilities, while Badger keeps its local leadership and brand. The deal is ADH's third with an independent HVAC distributor, after CT C Supply and CFM Distributors. ADH is still seeking partnerships with independent HVAC distributors across the US.
Source: PE Hub · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing