KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Axient, a portfolio company of Sagewind Capital, on its sale to Astrion, a portfolio company of Brightstar Capital Partners

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KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce that its client, Axient LLC (“Axient” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Sagewind Capital, has been acquired by Astrion, a portfolio company of Brightstar Capital Partners, and a leading provider of mission support and advanced engineering services to the U.S. government.

Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, Axient is the result of the merger of four leaders in the defense and space markets: QuantiTech, Millennium Engineering and Integration, Systems Engineering Group, and Dynamic Concepts. With each business combining to deliver complementary customer relationships, discrete technical capabilities, and domain expertise, the combined platform serves as a systems integrator advancing the nation’s most critical defense and civil missions ranging from aerospace to cyberspace. Leveraging established capabilities spanning multi-domain test and analysis, mission engineering and operations, and advanced technologies, Axient serves as a thought leader responsible for maintaining technological superiority and warfighter dominance in well-funded and high-priority markets including air and missile defense, hypersonics, space engineering and exploration, and counter-UAS. The Company’s technical subject matter expertise and mission-driven capabilities enable customers to execute mission critical programs in the most vital areas of national security, space superiority, warfighter readiness, and technological innovation.

Axient is strategically positioned across U.S. defense and space markets with offices in Huntsville and Colorado Springs, among other locations. The Company thrives as an established force in Huntsville, building a sterling reputation over 25 years as a reliable and trusted partner to mission-oriented defense and space customers seeking diverse technical solutions to complex mission requirements. Axient’s internally-developed and differentiated tools generate thoughtful solutions to evolving mission challenges for U.S. defense and government customers, including the Army, Air Force, Civilian Agencies, Navy, and Space Force.

Axient’s specialized capabilities, talented employees, and robust customer base present a highly complementary fit with Astrion. This strategic acquisition positions Astrion to significantly enhance its capabilities, increase opportunities for the combined employee base, expand its market presence, and deliver greater value to its customers. The combined entity will deliver elevated solutions for military and civilian agencies, creating results with impact to critical global challenges.

This transaction highlights several key trends in the government technology solutions M&A market:

  • Significant demand for diversified defense and space capabilities and market expertise reinforced by a seasoned management team and highly skilled, experienced, and cleared employees;
  • Companies deeply embedded on signature programs with high-profile agencies and customers in support of emerging space and UAS capabilities remain highly coveted; and
  • Buyers with explicit growth strategies, industry knowledge, and private equity backing continue to deploy capital, particularly for companies with deep domain and subject matter expertise, established customer relationships, and key market presence on large-scale programs

Read more in the full press release.

About KippsDeSanto & Co.

KippsDeSanto & Co. is an investment banking firm focused on serving growth-oriented Aerospace / Defense, Government Services and Technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and Financing transaction results to our clients by leveraging our scale, creativity, and industry experience. We help market leaders realize their full strategic value. Having advised more than 200 industry transactions since 2008, KippsDeSanto is recognized for its analytical rigor, market insight, and broad industry relationships. There’s no substitute for experience. For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

Investment Banking products and services are offered through KippsDeSanto & Co., a non-bank subsidiary of Capital One, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation, and a member of FINRA and SIPC. Products and services are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit, and Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency.