N3K Acquires Cygna Labs to Deliver Compliance Solutions Across Microsoft-hybrid IT Infrastructures

Leading German systems integrator acquires Cygna Labs and its Microsoft-based hybrid and cloud auditing platform

MIAMI, Fla. February 21, 2019 — Cygna Labs announced today that the company was acquired by N3K, a globally acting systems integrator and leading provider of network management solutions. It is a portfolio company of the private equity firm VR Equitypartner, one of the very reputable private equity financiers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With the acquisition of Cygna Labs, previously majority owned by Blackbird Ventures, N3K will secure ownership of key intellectual property in a market of strategic importance to the firm. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Following a successful, longtime partnership of jointly providing compliance management solutions to global clients with Cygna Labs, N3K CEO Rainer Maurer sees the acquisition as the next milestone in the evolution of both companies. The acquisition will ensure strong financial backing for ongoing development and growth of the team and product portfolio in the future.

Cygna Labs will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary of the N3K group, Rainer Maurer will replace Christian Ehrenthal as chairman and CEO and Ehrenthal will remain a member of its board of directors to ensure a smooth transition.

Rainer Maurer, CEO of N3K, said: “The acquisition of Cygna Labs is a strategic move that provides us with an opportunity to own the IP behind one of our two main business units. This transaction enables us to expand our global customer base and in turn we are fully committed to increase R&D spending. I look forward to being able to deliver new, innovative technology in an area that has been a key pillar of our business for years.”

Christian Ehrenthal, CEO and co-founder, Cygna Labs, said: “We have worked closely with N3K and its management team over the years. As a top-performing partner, their business philosophy and long-term goals have aligned with our own, making this a seamless transition. N3K’s commitment and expertise, together with the support of VR Equitypartner, will help ensure the continued growth of the company and will provide our customers with the ideal solution-set for their compliance needs, today and in the future.”

About Cygna Labs
Cygna Labs is a leading provider of compliance solutions that grant unparalleled visibility across Microsoft-hybrid IT infrastructures. Built from the ground up to protect data regardless of its location, Cygna Auditor delivers insight into user behavior, system configuration and data sensitivity. Organizations worldwide rely on Cygna Labs to detect and proactively mitigate data security threats, affordably pass compliance audits, with less effort, and increase the productivity of their IT departments. For more information, visit https://cygnalabs.com.

About N3K
N3K Network Systems is a globally acting systems integrator with a large multi-national, blue chip customer base. N3K specializes on IP Address Management, Active Directory & Cloud Auditing, and Privileged Access Management. Its deep-rooted technical knowledge and experience in each of these areas spans the entire project cycle including analysis, design, project planning, implementation, training, extensive ongoing maintenance and global 24/7 support services. Learn more at https://www.n3k.de/.

About Blackbird Ventures
Blackbird Ventures incubates, and invests in, early-stage technology companies, providing operational support along the entire startup trajectory to develop market-transforming businesses. The firm is led by former founders and operators of successful software companies with extensive experience in building and growing innovative businesses. For more information on Blackbird and its portfolio companies, visit https://www.blackbirdventures.com.