KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Altamira on its sale to VAST, a portfolio company of ClearSky

KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Virginia Systems and Technology, Inc. on its sale to Altamira Technologies Corporation

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Virginia Systems and Technology, Inc. on its sale to Altamira Technologies Corporation

KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce the sale of Virginia Systems and Technology Inc. (“VaST” or the “Company”) to Altamira Technologies Corporation, a McLean, VA based defense contractor. Altamira is owned by a ClearSky-led group that includes McNally Capital and Razor’s Edge Ventures.

Headquartered in Warrenton, VA, VaST provides end-to-end Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (“TCPED”) mission coverage with the goal of increasing the efficacy of Signals Intelligence (“SIGINT”) missions for National Security customers. The Company uses its tip-of-the-spear SIGINT mission execution expertise to bridge the gap between operations and engineering disciplines within the Intelligence community.

Positioned at the forefront of Advanced SIGINT operations and capabilities, VaST delivers a superior TCPED process by informing key decision makers with trusted intelligence through a highly automated system, allowing for effective and efficient execution of customer missions. VaST’s model and operations continue to have an out-sized impact on new tradecraft, identifying emerging threats, defining new concepts of operation (“ConOps”), and implementing new capabilities through superior operations and engineering expertise

The combination of VaST with Altamira will further accelerate the combined entity’s SIGINT capabilities and adds depth to Altamira’s National Security customer portfolio.

We believe this transaction highlights several key trends in the defense M&A market:

  • Companies with high-end capabilities in support of National Security missions remain attractive targets given budgetary trends and focus on addressing near-peer threats
  • Buyers continue to place significant value on companies with deep customer intimacy and relationships across the Intelligence community
  • Financial sponsors with focused industry expertise and investment strategies continue to be active acquirors, particularly for companies with deep subject matter expertise, established customer relationships, and a highly skilled and experienced employee base

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 via leveraging our scale, creativity, and industry experience. We help market leaders realize their full strategic value. Having advised on 200 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our 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. Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit, and Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency.

Press Release

Altamira Technologies Corporation Has Acquired VaST

Altamira Technologies Corporation today announced it has completed the acquisition of Virginia Systems & Technology, Inc. (VaST), a Warrenton, Virginia-based signals intelligence mission company.

“The acquisition of VaST brings new SIGINT capabilities and core National Security Customers to the Altamira portfolio” said Jane Chappell, CEO of Altamira. “VaST’s culture of marrying elite engineering with critical operations is a strong match with Altamira. We welcome them to the Altamira team.”

VaST, founded in 1999 on the principal of providing tip of the spear SIGINT mission execution expertise, implements a unique and innovative approach to the SIGINT mission by bridging the gap between Operations and Engineering with new capabilities. With the acquisition of VaST, Altamira adds new capabilities in end-to-end SIGINT tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (TCPED), National/Tactical SIGINT collaborative mission constellation management, and emerging threat identification.

“VaST is very excited to be joining such a like-minded company and looks forward to a combined opportunity to make larger and more impactful contributions to the defense of our nation” said Jay Hebert, President/CEO of VaST.

“We are excited about the combination of Altamira and VaST. Adding VaST’s capabilities to the Altamira platform should enable Altamira to grow faster with customers,” said Bernard Noble, Managing Director at ClearSky.

The acquisition adds talent in every SIGINT vertical including software developers, data scientists, operations specialists, mission integrators, and analysts to Altamira’s workforce.

Mintz served as legal advisor to Altamira. Holland & Knight served as legal advisor and KippsDeSanto & Co. served as financial advisor to VaST.

About Altamira

Altamira Technologies is a McLean, VA based defense contractor supporting critical defense and national missions for 20 years. Founded in 2003, Altamira has been a trusted partner providing expert-driven, data- accelerated analytic and engineering solutions for space, cyber, air, and intel missions.

About ClearSky

ClearSky is a venture capital/growth equity group that invests in innovative companies, with a special focus on (i) disruptive solutions for cybersecurity in information technology, industrial and critical infrastructure, and the defense industry, (ii) technologies driving the energy transition, climate related technologies, and sustainability, and (iii) the digital transformation of enterprise customers’ operations and communications.