NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture (NYSE:ACN) and Apax Partners, a leading global private equity firm, have agreed to form a joint venture to accelerate the innovation of claims, billing and policy administration software for the insurance industry. As part of the joint venture, funds advised by Apax will acquire a 60 percent stake in Accenture’s Duck Creek Technologies, with Accenture retaining a 40 percent stake. The joint venture will operate as a new and independent company.
The joint venture is intended to further accelerate the development of Duck Creek products and technologies, leveraging advanced digital and cloud technology, and to extend the reach of Duck Creek in key markets. As part of the venture, Accenture will collaborate with Duck Creek to help insurers take advantage of the Internet of Things, Big Data analytics and other emerging technologies. Accenture will also be designated as a premier systems integrator and consulting partner for Duck Creek Technologies pursuant to a strategic alliance arrangement.
Duck Creek Technologies will gain access to substantial capital and management expertise through Apax Partners. This will enable further investment, both organically and through acquisitions, to fuel rapid expansion of Duck Creek products and capabilities – particularly Duck Creek On-Demand, a native Software as a Service capability delivered through the cloud. Combined, this capital, technology and professional services capability will enable new levels of end-to-end, cloud-based solutions for property and casualty (P&C) insurers.
“The insurance sector is on the cusp of a digital revolution that will redefine how it operates,” said John Cusano, senior managing director and head of Accenture’s global insurance practice. “This joint venture will open the door to a brave new stage of development. Apax’s record of investing in technologies that become category-leaders has made them an ideal partner in this venture. We look forward to helping shape and deliver leading-edge digital technologies for our clients through this agreement and maintaining a substantial interest in Duck Creek’s growth and success.”
Duck Creek’s senior management, and approximately 1,000 insurance and insurance software specialists are expected to join the new joint venture. Accenture will own 40 percent of the venture as a significant, but non-controlling minority partner.
Jason Wright, a partner at Apax, said, “Over the past five years, Duck Creek has evolved into a leading global software solution for top insurers. Apax intends to build upon this success by supporting the current management team to accelerate innovation in partnership with Accenture and its significant digital and insurance domain expertise. We believe this joint venture will be a game changer in the insurance technology arena.”
Mike Jackowski, president of Duck Creek Technologies, who will become CEO of the joint venture, said, “There has never been a more important time for insurance companies to embrace new technologies that will secure their future competitiveness. Working with Accenture and Apax, we look forward to continued development and added investments that will deliver true innovation for the insurance industry, now and well into the future.”
Since acquiring Duck Creek Technologies in 2011, Accenture has significantly developed and expanded its suite of P&C insurance technology solutions. The suite supports a full range of capabilities – from underwriting, policy administration and agent support to rating, billing and claims – and is designed to work independently or as a combined suite to manage all aspects of the P&C insurance lifecycle.
Since it became part of Accenture, Duck Creek has expanded its client base to include leading insurers and has been recognized as a “Leader” for its ability to execute and its completeness of vision in Gartner’s Magic Quadrants for Property & Casualty Insurance Claims Management Modules and Policy Management Modules, North America.1
The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close toward the end of Accenture’s 2016 fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional
services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in
strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining
unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40
industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s
largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of
business and technology to help clients improve their performance and
create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately
373,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture
drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us
at www.accenture.com.
About Apax Partners LLP
Apax Partners LLP is a leading
global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 30 year history,
Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of
$38 billion*. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across
four global sectors of Tech and Telco, Services, Health Care and
Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and
strengthen world-class companies.
Apax funds have been one of the most active private equity investors in the software sector, having invested over $2.5 billion in equity since 2008. Apax’s deep sector expertise and global resources have helped accelerate organic and inorganic growth within its software portfolio and have enabled geographic expansion. Current and past software investments include Epicor, Activant, TriZetto (sold to Cognizant), Aptos, Exact, Paradigm, Sophos (London: SOPH) and Realpage (NASDAQ:RP). For further information about Apax Partners, please visit www.apax.com.
* Funds raised since 1981, commitments converted from fund currency to USD at FX rates as at September 2015.
About Duck Creek Technologies
Duck Creek Technologies LLC,
an Accenture company, is a leading provider of comprehensive P&C
insurance software and services delivered on-premise or via Duck Creek
On-Demand, a Software as a Service model. The wholly owned subsidiary of
Accenture delivers configurable software that is designed to work
independently or as a combined approach to quickly and seamlessly handle
the unique needs of insurers of all sizes. Our technology solutions
enable clients to optimize outcomes through streamlined operations,
shared data, and consistent functionality. For more information, visit www.duckcreek.com.
1 Gartner, “Magic Quadrant for Property and Casualty Insurance Policy Management Modules, North America,” Jeff Haner, January 25, 2016 and December 23, 2014; Gartner, Inc. “Magic Quadrant for Property and Casualty Insurance Claims Management Modules,” by Jeff Haner, June 24, 2015 and May 28, 2014.
Disclaimer: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
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