Kape Technologies buys ExpressVPN as part of a US$936m deal

Kape Technologies, a leading privacy-first digital security software provider, has announced that it is buying virtual private network (VPN) firm ExpressVPN as part of a US$936 million deal. 

As digital transformation has rapidly increased over the past year, and with a mission to protect consumers in their digital lives, this acquisition will broaden Kape’s reach from almost 3 million customers to serving over 6 million and will bring together a global team of 720 to drive innovation for future product offerings. 

The aim of combining Kape and ExpressVPN is to create a ‘premium consumer privacy and security player’ in the industry. 

“We’ve admired the ExpressVPN team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation and are excited to welcome them to Kape,” says Ido Erlichman, CEO, Kape Technologies. “With ExpressVPN to join the Kape family of world-leading privacy and security brands—together, we will have the vision, talent, and resources to take the industry to the next level. Controlling one's digital presence is at the forefront of every tech consumer’s mind now, and Kape is more committed than ever to innovating and delivering the tools internet users need to protect their data and rights. Kape is now synonymous with taking control of your digital experience.”

Transforming technology and creating privacy tools

Founded in 2009, ExpressVPN has been central in transforming VPNs from a niche technology into an essential privacy tool.

Key to ExpressVPN’s efforts to bring VPN to the mainstream has been its work with other leading technology brands, putting privacy and security tools into the hands of internet users everywhere. Through its alliances with HP, HMD Global (home of Nokia phones), Acer, Dynabook (formerly Toshiba), and Philips, ExpressVPN is available on millions of smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

ExpressVPN has seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.1% over the past four years, signaling a strong need for consumer-friendly data privacy and security products to enable customers to take control of their digital lives.

“The ExpressVPN team is delighted to be joining the Kape Technologies family. It was essential to us that anyone we teamed up with shared our strong fundamental commitment to user privacy, and Kape has demonstrated that in spades through its family of brands,” says Dan Pomerantz, co-founder of ExpressVPN. “With access to greater capital and resources as part of Kape, we’re excited to be able to accelerate our product development, deliver even more innovation to our users, and protect them from a wider range of threats.”

The acquisition is subject to a number of customary conditions and is expected to close in Q4 2021. Under the Kape Technologies umbrella, ExpressVPN will continue to operate day-to-day as an independent service, with its existing global team and leadership, including its two co-founders.