Problem: iOra was the market leader in off-line networking for distributed organisations, with proven unique technologies for providing application acceleration and ‘offline networking’ capabilities for web portals, applications and content. Extensive commercial & defence deployments had already been made in both the US and Europe for prominent, demanding enterprise-class customers. But iOra was small, private, and UK based. In order to exploit fully the significant growth opportunities that existed in both commercial and defence markets, iOra needed to extend its reach.

Catalyst's Role: iOra engaged to Catalyst to explore the possiblities that were open to it. Catalyst conducted a strategic review of iOra’s market, its positioning and prospects for future growth. We concluded that iOra’s interests would be best served by being acquired by a company that had the requisite vision, connections and access to market to better leverage iOra’s technologies in the medium to long term, and to augment iOra’s services to its current customers.

Result: Catalyst conducted the sale process for the company, identifying and qualifying suitable candidate acquirers, concluding by negotiating the sale of the company to Corpora plc. This gave iOra the backing of an AIM listed company to help move on to the next phase of its growth and development, and provided iOra’s shareholders with an exit at an excellent multiple.