$7B Merger: Cohesity & Veritas Set to Dominate Data

Quick Look

• Veritas Technologies merges its data protection business with Cohesity, aiming to enhance R&D, customer support, and business alliances.
• The merged entity forecasts a pro forma annual revenue of $1.6 billion, with recurring revenue of $1.3 billion and a valuation of $7 billion.
• Cohesity CEO Sanjay Poonen will continue as CEO, while Veritas CEO Greg Hughes will join the board of directors post-merger.
• The merger excludes Veritas’ InfoScale, Data Compliance, and Backup Exec businesses, which will remain independent.
• Expected to close by the end of 2024, this merger positions Cohesity as a significant player in the backup market.

Veritas Technologies has announced its plan to merge its data protection business with Cohesity in a move that significantly reshapes the data protection and backup solutions sector. This strategic merger should greatly enhance research and development, improve customer support, and broaden business partnerships, setting a new industry standard.

Financial and Leadership Synergy

The merged entity should show strong financial performance, with a pro forma annual revenue of $1.6 billion, $1.3 billion of which will likely be recurring. Valued at $7 billion, the merger showcases the complementary strengths of both companies. Cohesity CEO Sanjay Poonen will continue as CEO, with Veritas CEO Greg Hughes taking a strategic role on the board of directors, ensuring leadership continuity and ongoing innovation.

Enhancing Clientele and Operations

Veritas contributes a prestigious client list, especially within the federal government, including partnerships with the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Transportation. This merger is set to significantly boost Cohesity’s market presence by leveraging Veritas’ established relationships and operational expertise in key sectors.

Strategic Exclusions and Market Impact

The merger plans to keep certain Veritas segments — InfoScale, Data Compliance, and Backup Exec businesses — independent to focus on growth and specialization. This decision will transform market dynamics, particularly with Cohesity acquiring Veritas’ data protection assets. It highlights its dedication to leading the backup market through innovative enterprise customer solutions, compliance, governance intelligence, and AI-driven R&D.

A New Era of Technological Innovation

At the core of this merger is a commitment to technological innovation, aiming to enhance features such as fast data recovery search, conversion of virtual machines to cloud formats, and the integration of AI for advanced support and data utilization. These advancements promise to set new benchmarks for data protection, backup solutions, and AI integration in the industry.

Strategic Benefits and Competitive Landscape

The merger strengthens Cohesity’s and Veritas’ market positions. Additionally, it provides strategic advantages by combining Veritas’ extensive international customer base and expertise in on-site backups, data governance, and cloud adaptation capabilities with Cohesity’s advanced solutions. Meanwhile, competitors like Rubrik are planning IPOs. Consequently, this emphasizes the merger’s timely potential to redefine industry standards and drive growth in the era of hybrid cloud backup solutions.