The $1.9 billion figure was the value Forescout announced for Advent International’s proposed buyout in February 2020, based on an offer of $33 per share. That was not the final per-share price: the parties amended the agreement to $29 per share in July, and the acquisition closed on August 17, 2020.
What Forescout announced in February 2020
On February 6, 2020, cybersecurity company Forescout said Advent International would acquire all of its outstanding common shares for $33 per share in cash. Forescout valued the proposed transaction at $1.9 billion. Crosspoint Capital Partners joined Advent as co-investor and advisor. Forescout’s announcement described the deal as an all-cash acquisition.
At the time, Forescout CEO and President Michael DeCesare said, “This transaction represents an exciting new phase in the evolution of Forescout.” That was management’s view when the deal was announced, not a statement about the terms or outcome that followed.
Why the headline price and final terms differ
Forescout shareholders approved the proposal at a special meeting on April 23, 2020; more than 99% of the shares voted favored it. The approval announcement still described a $33-per-share offer and an expected second-quarter close. A shareholder vote was a step toward the acquisition, not proof that it had closed. Forescout’s vote announcement
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The expected May closing did not happen as scheduled. Forescout disclosed that Advent notified it on May 15 that it would not complete the acquisition on May 18, and that the parties were discussing timing and terms. Forescout’s update
On July 15, the companies amended their agreement, reducing the offer from $33 to $29 per share. The acquisition ultimately closed on August 17, 2020, after the tender offer expired on August 14. Forescout’s SEC filing records the consummation date, and Nasdaq’s corporate-action notice lists August 17 as the closing date and $29 in cash per share as the merger consideration. Forescout’s SEC filing · Nasdaq corporate-action notice
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| Milestone | Per-share terms | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2020 announcement | $33 in cash | Original proposed terms; Forescout announced a $1.9 billion transaction value. |
| July 15, 2020 amended agreement | $29 per share | Revised offer, down from $33. |
| August 17, 2020 completion | $29 in cash per share | Closing terms recorded by Nasdaq; Forescout’s SEC filing records completion. |
The sources establish the revised per-share price and completion date, but not a definitive final aggregate purchase price. So it is more accurate to describe $1.9 billion as the original announced valuation than to present it as the final amount paid.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Advent buy Forescout for $1.9 billion?
$1.9 billion was the value Forescout attached to the original February 2020 proposal at $33 per share. The offer later changed to $29 per share, and the acquisition closed in August 2020 under the amended terms. The headline figure therefore describes the announced deal, not a verified final aggregate purchase price.
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