Dive Brief:
- Private equity firm TPG is among the firms bidding for McAfee, Intel Corp.’s computer-security unit, according to Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter.
- TPG valued the unit at $3 billion, according to the report
- Intel has also talked with other buyout firms and businesses, and it’s possible no deal will be made at all, according to the report.
Dive Insight:
Reports first surfaced in June that Intel is looking to sell its security business. Thoma Bravo, Permira and Vista Equity Partners had shown interest at the time, according to a Bloomberg report. The latest information indicates neither Permira Holdings or Thoma Bravo are pursuing a bid any longer.
Intel’s security business is rooted in the company’s $7.7 billion purchase of McAfee in 2010, but the unit has thus far failed to generate significant ROI.
The company has been working to shift its business strategy toward cloud and other internet technology, and may be motivated to sell its security business to further streamline and better focus on those areas.
