Hyve Acquired for a Reported $1.8 Billion

Private equity firm Hellman & Friedman is acquiring Hyve Group from its current owners, Providence Equity Partners and Searchlight Capital Partners. The deal is valued at approximately $1.8 billion, according to the Financial Times.

Hyve was taken private in 2023 when Providence Equity Partners acquired it for $579 million, with Searchlight Capital Partners joining as a 40% co-investor.

The deal values Hyve at roughly three times its 2023 acquisition price, reflecting a combination of revenue growth, acquisitions, and favorable valuation for event platforms. The company posted $391 million in revenue in 2025, representing 39% total revenue growth, including acquisitions and 15% organic growth.

Hellman & Friedman framed the investment as a bet on the enduring value of in-person business connections, as AI reshapes global commerce.

“As AI reshapes global commerce, we believe the ability to foster human connections and bring people together will be more valuable to businesses than ever," said Hunter Philbrick, partner at Hellman & Friedman. 

Howard Givner, CEO of Heathcote Advisory Group, says that four of the top trade show organizers have changed ownership in five weeks. 

First CloserStill was acquired by Searchlight Capital Partners for $1.73 billion, then it was the Apollo-Emerald-Questex deal, and now Hyve. 

“If you read the buyer’s comments, Hellman & Friedman is justifying the purchase, and thereby the price, on the premise that events will continue to prove value as algorithm-proof marketing channels in a world where AI is disrupting so many others,” said Givner. “With all the tailwinds driving face-to-face events forward, and there are plenty besides AI, the market hasn’t properly priced the value of premium business events, meaning that they’re actually still significantly undervalued businesses, given their resilience to so much other disruption.”

Seven Acquisitions and Five New Events

Under Providence and Searchlight, Hyve executed an aggressive acquisition strategy, completing seven acquisitions and launching five new events. Key brands in its portfolio include HLTH, Shoptalk, Bett, POSSIBLE, Manifest, and ASU+GSV Summit. The company also surpassed $100 million in EBITDA in 2025, a milestone that helped attract its latest buyer.

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2026. H&F says it will focus on accelerating international launches, expanding adjacent products and services, and continuing Hyve's proven acquisition strategy.

 CEO Mark Shashoua will remain in his role. Hyve is now expected to complete its ambitious "GO27" three-year growth plan a year ahead of schedule, in 2026 rather than 2027.

Private Equity Eyes Business Events

The Hyve deal follows Apollo Global Management’s $1.5 billion merger of Emerald and Questex, reinforcing a rapid consolidation trend in the business events sector.

“It’s like there is an arms race in the trade show industry,” said Vincent Polito, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). “Hyve certainly exploded onto the North American scene over the last couple years, and today’s transaction confirms what we all know about how private equity views the trade show and events marketplace. Who’s next?”