HIG Capital has finalized its acquisition of Kantar Media from the Kantar Group for an undisclosed amount, enhancing its portfolio of data and analytics firms. This acquisition is one of HIG's significant transactions for 2025.
Kantar Media operates in over 60 global markets, offering audience measurement, cross-media analytics, and media validation tools to brands, agencies, and media companies. The firm plays a crucial role in global advertising decisions through its proprietary measurement capabilities and AI-driven analytics platform.
Patrick Béhar, CEO of Kantar Media, expressed enthusiasm about joining HIG Capital, stating that this acquisition marks the start of a new chapter focused on strategic growth, independence in media measurement, and innovation.
In a separate development, HIG Capital is expanding its secondaries capabilities by hiring four senior executives from Morgan Stanley's private equity secondaries unit. This team, which includes Dan Wieder, Yash Gupta, Austin Gerber, and Joe Holleran, brings nearly 50 years of combined experience in secondaries investing. Their addition positions HIG alongside larger firms like Warburg Pincus and Leonard Green & Partners, which are also venturing into secondaries amid challenging exit markets.
The demand for GP-led exits has surged, with a 19% increase reported in the first half of 2025, as sponsors look for alternative liquidity options.
The acquisition of Kantar Media aligns with HIG Capital's recent focus on technology investments. Earlier this year, the firm facilitated the merger of Converge Technology Solutions and Mainline Information Systems to create Pellera Technologies, which generated around $4 billion in revenue in 2024. Pellera specializes in IT solutions, including cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
Additionally, HIG Capital has acquired Quisitive Technology Solutions, a provider of Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions, and invested in GetixHealth, a healthcare revenue cycle management company.
Nishant Nayyar, Managing Director at HIG Capital, highlighted that Kantar Media offers essential data and AI-driven analytics that enhance decision-making for clients. He emphasized the company's proprietary measurement capabilities, which position it for growth as an independent entity.
HIG Capital manages $70 billion in capital across 19 global offices and has invested in over 400 companies since its inception in 1993. Its current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales exceeding $53 billion.
The firm's move into secondaries reflects a broader trend in the private equity industry, as firms seek new revenue streams and liquidity solutions for their portfolio companies. The upcoming GP-led secondaries fund will focus on continuation vehicles and other transactions across North America and Europe.
