Back to Case Studies
UnitrancheTechnology / SoftwareUS / Europe

$200M Unitranche for Software Acquisition

Cross-border unitranche for European sponsor acquisition of US enterprise SaaS platform.

Deal Overview

Transaction Type

Unitranche Financing

Sector

Enterprise SaaS

Term

6 years

Jurisdictions

US (Delaware) / Luxembourg

Facility Size

$200M

Leverage

5.0x ARR

Structure

Single-lien unitranche

Closing Date

Q4 2023

The Challenge

A European technology-focused private equity sponsor acquired a US enterprise SaaS business, requiring a single-lender solution that worked across a Luxembourg topco and US operating company and reflected SaaS economics—not traditional EBITDA-only metrics.

Key complexity factors included:

  • Cross-border structure with Luxembourg holding company and US operating assets
  • SaaS-appropriate covenant framework based on ARR rather than EBITDA alone
  • IP and source code collateral requiring specialized security and perfection
  • Need for accordion capacity to fund tuck-in acquisitions

Our Solution

We delivered a $200M single-lien unitranche with SaaS covenants, a $50M accordion, and a coordinated US / Luxembourg security and guarantee package—including IP over source code where agreed.

Structure

  • Single-lien unitranche with one intercreditor profile
  • $50M accordion for M&A
  • SaaS covenants tied to ARR and net revenue retention (NRR)
  • Equity cure up to 50%

Execution

  • 7-week dual-jurisdiction closing path
  • US and Luxembourg share pledges and guarantee structure
  • IP perfection under Delaware and federal law as applicable
  • Technology diligence aligned to lender underwriting on ARR quality and churn

Deal Structure

Capital

Unitranche$200M
Accordion$50M
PricingL+550 blended
Sponsor equity$130M

Covenants

  • Net leverage: 6.0x ARR
  • ARR growth: Min 15%
  • NRR: Min 95%
  • Equity cure: 50%

Key Documentation

Credit Agreement

US law-governed credit agreement with SaaS covenant definitions, ARR / NRR tests, accordion mechanics, and equity cure provisions.

Security Documents

Delaware and federal law perfection over US assets, Luxembourg share pledges, and IP collateral including source code collateral package as negotiated.

Guarantees

Upstream and downstream guarantees aligning cash flow and asset coverage with lender requirements across the group.

Escrow Agreement

Source code escrow arrangements supporting continuity and lender comfort on critical technology assets.

Transaction Timeline

1
Week 1

Term sheet

Economics, SaaS covenant framework, accordion sizing, and jurisdiction split agreed

2
Weeks 2-4

Due diligence & documentation

Technology and financial diligence in parallel with credit agreement and security drafts

3
Weeks 5-6

Security perfection

Filings and pledges completed across US and Luxembourg, including IP and escrow steps

4
Week 7

Closing

Signing, funding, and release of conditions precedent for the acquisition

Outcome

The financing matched how the business actually trades—ARR and retention—while preserving a single relationship and simple amendment path for the sponsor.

Post-closing benefits:

  • SaaS metrics: Covenants and reporting aligned to recurring revenue quality, not legacy EBITDA-only tests.
  • Tuck-ins: Two add-ons funded using $35M of accordion capacity on pre-agreed incremental terms.
  • Unitranche simplicity: One lien and one lender group reduced negotiation load on management versus split senior / junior structures.

Discuss your financing needs

TULA Capital can support your transaction with structuring, lender outreach, and execution discipline.

Get in Touch