The Carlyle Group acquires disguise
March 9, 2021
Livingbridge, the mid-market private equity investors, has announced the sale of disguise, a global player in Extended Reality (xR) technology, to The Carlyle Group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2000, disguise is a technology platform which enables creatives and technologists to imagine, create and deliver spectacular visual experiences. The platform combines real-time 3D visualisation software with high-performance media server hardware. The company is one of the main providers of xR and virtual production technology to film & TV studios, broadcasters, corporates and the e-gaming sector globally.
disguise says it is now ideally placed to capitalise on the significant market opportunity for virtual production technology, a trend that has only accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Livingbridge first invested in disguise in an MBO in 2017 through its Enterprise 2 fund, having recognised its unique technology and significant international opportunities. Since then, Livingbridge has helped disguise accelerate its global growth, the business having delivered products and services to 80 countries and disguise now has significant clients across EMEA, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
Pete Clarke at Livingbridge, said: “disguise is a great business, led by a passionate and impressive team. Since our investment in 2017, we have supported disguise in its international growth plans and in building out a diverse and talented leadership team. The accelerated launch of the xR technology during the Covid lockdown of 2020 was a remarkable achievement by the team and the response from the global virtual production and broadcast market has been phenomenal. We are delighted to continue to be an investor alongside Carlyle as disguise enters the next stage of its exciting growth and development.”
Fernando Kufer, CEO at disguise, said: “I am pleased that we will be able to retain our relationship with Livingbridge as we join forces with The Carlyle Group, and I look forward to working with our partners to fulfil disguise’s potential.”