The financial terms of Alteryx Inc.’s two acquisitions last year were among the disclosures included in the recent 10-K filing by the Irvine-based analytics software maker.
It purchased Czech Republic software maker Semanta last January for $3.9 million, which could increase to $6.2 million if certain benchmarks are met. In June it rolled out Alteryx Connect, a service developed from Semanta technology targeting large corporate customers and designed to allow users to find, create, collaborate and share data-focused reports and related documents.
In May it acquired data software maker Yhat Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal for $14.7 million, which included a similar $2.3 million benchmark mechanism. The Brooklyn-based company specialized in software for data scientists and analysts with tools to develop, manage and more easily deploy new algorithms into existing applications.
Alteryx closed the year with about 3,400 customers in more than 70 countries, up from 1,400 in 2015. They include Ford Motor Co., Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., Knight Transportation Inc., Nike Inc., and Southwest Airlines Co.
No customer represented more than 10% of its 2017 revenue of $131.6 million, which was up 53%. Nearly a quarter was generated internationally. It posted a net loss of $17.5 million last year, down from a loss of $24.3 million in 2016.
Alteryx customers pay a subscription fee for its analytics software to integrate data, monetize content, forecast sales, map retail expansion plans, and compare sales and product placement, among other features.
The company had 555 employees at the close of 2017, about 200 at its Park Place headquarters.
Alteryx raised $131.4 million in proceeds in an initial public offering about a year ago, which snapped a nearly two-year drought in Orange County IPOs. The company said in the 10-K filing that it doesn’t intend to pay a cash dividend “for the foreseeable future” and will retain future earnings to develop the business and for general corporate purposes.
Cylance Makes Deal
Irvine-based software security maker Cylance Inc. has partnered with virtual server software giant VMWare Inc. in San Jose.
Under the agreement, VMWare customers will be able to integrate Cylance offerings from Vmware’s Workspace ONE platform, a digital workspace of sorts comprised of user-designated apps with analytics, automation and optimization features.
Cylance software fuses machine learning, artificial intelligence algorithms, and the cloud to thwart new and evolving threats and cyberattacks before they hit servers, desktops and virtual desktops. In one example, Orange Unified School District uses CylancePROTECT to secure sensitive student information and help comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The company, which has raised $177 million since its 2012 inception, passed $100 million in revenue last year for the first time.
It has more than 3,800 enterprise customers, including Dell, The Gap Inc., the National Hockey League Players Association and Panasonic.
Esports Hires
Blizzard Entertainment Inc.’s Santa Monica parent, Activision Blizzard Inc., has beefed up the executive ranks of its growing esports operation with veterans from traditional professional sports organizations.
Daniel Cherry, who most recently served as chief marketing and innovation officer for the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center, takes over as Blizzard’s chief marketing officer in charge of viewership and brand awareness.
Marc Kolin, who ran analytics, financial planning and analysis, strategic initiatives, and back-office accounting for Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park, took the role of vice president of finance and strategy with an emphasis on financial oversight and reporting. He’s worked stints in business development for the NFL and NBA.
Brandon Snow, who most recently served as the NBA’s senior vice president of team marketing and business operations, was named chief revenue officer in charge of commercialization and corporate sponsorships.
Activision’s Esports Leagues and Major League Gaming division run popular professional competitions the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty World League.
The 12-team Overwatch League is based on Irvine-based Blizzard’s hit first-person shooter game.
Franchises were sold for an estimated $20 million each.
The league has attracted several notable sponsors, including HP, Intel, Toyota, T-Mobile and Sour Patch Kids candy.
