It was announced yesterday that private equity firm The Carlyle Group has agreed to purchase OpenLink from TA Associates.

According to the press release, Kevin Hesselbirg, OpenLink’s CEO, says “…Carlyle’s technology expertise and financial know-how will serve us well, particularly as we expand internationally and through acquisitions.” Not necessary a surprise statement, but it does show that we can expect OpenLink to add to their own portfolio of acquisitions which, right now, includes IRM and MCG.

This acquisition looks like a good fit. The Carlyle Group has a very large portfolio ($86 Billion according to their website) that includes a number energy and technology companies that might provide additional leverage for OpenLink in this deal.

One of the more interesting aspects of the deal is this note in the PR…”Equity capital for this transaction will come from Carlyle Partners V, Carlyle’s flagship $13.7 billion U.S. buyout fund, management, and Founder and Chairman Coleman Fung.” It appears that Mr. Fung has increased his ownership, which according to OpenLink’s now dead S-1, was about 17% of the company after the TA deal. TA owned about 78%. So, its unclear the exact proportion now, but clearly Mr. Fung continues to be a significant owner in the company.

You can read the press release in full here.

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