Salesforce (Nasdaq: CRM) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Own (formerly known as OwnBackup) at a $2.1 billion valuation. Congratulations to Sam Gutmann, Ariel Berkman, Ori Yankelev and the entire team for reaching this incredible milestone.

Own empowers organizations to ensure the availability, security, and compliance of mission-critical data, enables deeper insights from mission-critical data, enhancing Salesforce’s offerings.

Horizon Capital (formerly Oryzn Capital) was the first investor in Own in 2015, leading the Seed round from our second fund. We continued to support the company through follow-on investments. Yaniv Jacobi, Managing Partner at Horizon Capital, states: “In 2015, we invested in a cloud backup services company seeking to refine its product direction. We were the first to recognize the potential in the team and market when others did not. Within a year, Own developed a product for the big data and cloud market.”

Since our initial investment, Own expanded its customer base and revenues and attracted investments from Insight Partners, Salesforce Ventures, Vertex Ventures Israel, Sapphire Ventures, and Tiger Global Management.

Salesforce acquisition is a testament to the strong foundation built by Own’s leadership team and the outstanding talent they attracted over the years. From its early beginnings as a cloud backup solution to becoming a key player in data security and compliance, Own’s journey is a reflection of the potential that Israeli innovation holds for solving global challenges. Salesforce’s integration of Own’s solutions will further enhance its ability to support clients in managing their most critical data securely and effectively.

This transaction represents Horizon Capital’s fifth exit.
Horizon Capital’s role in Own’s journey has been more than just a financial investment; it’s been a partnership built on trust, shared vision, and a commitment to pushing technological boundaries. We are incredibly proud of Own’s team for their dedication and resilience throughout this journey, and we are confident that this acquisition will unlock new opportunities and avenues for growth, both for Own and Salesforce. The success of Own demonstrates the power of visionary technology and strategic partnerships in the SaaS ecosystem.

For more details on the Salesforce acquires Own:
Calcalist: Salesforce acquires Israeli cloud backup company OwnBackup for $2.1 billion
Salesforce Investor Relations: Salesforce Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Own Company
Geektime (Hebrew): https://www.geektime.co.il/salesforce-acquires-own/