MacGuard Insights: GTCR Strengthens Security Portfolio with SimpliSafe Acquisition

Kirk MacDowell weighs in on the SimpliSafe deal by GTCR LLC, the investment firm that transformed ADT's commercial division into Everon two years ago.

SimpliSafe has been acquired by investment firm GTCR LLC, which also owns Everon

GTCR has reached an agreement to purchase SimpliSafe from its current owner, Hellman & Friedman, in a deal valued at approximately $2.5 billion, including debt, according to Bloomberg reports. The acquisition represents GTCR's fifth security alarm investment and comes alongside Everon's simultaneous announcement that it will also acquire ADT's multifamily business, placing GTCR in a position to build a comprehensive security portfolio spanning residential and commercial markets. GTCR acquired ADT's commercial division in 2022 and relaunched it as Everon in 2023. SimpliSafe, currently the No. 3 residential security brand behind ADT and Ring, will maintain its independent operations while the transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025 pending regulatory approvals.

The acquisition, in MacDowell's assessment, is a thoughtful approach to securing national scale through separate market verticals.

“I think [GTCR/Everon] wants to become a national player again, and probably one of the biggest national players in the U.S. They can now offer everything from residential to commercial but do it under separate strategies...,” Kirk shared.

He believes their strategy focuses on controlling market position within specific segments rather than broad consolidation, especially as SimpliSafe advances its technology stack with analytics and AI, and explores dealer-supported offerings. The company recently announced at CEDIA Expo that it plans to leverage security and AV integrators and installers for market expansion.

Kirk expects SimpliSafe’s and Everon’s operations to stay independent for now. “A mistake…would be to try to merge those two together too quickly,” he said.

For independent residential dealers, Kirk’s advice is to compete on relationship and education, not fear.

MacGuard customer-satisfaction surveys indicate about 30% of customers want to hear more about services their provider already offers, giving integrators a chance to strengthen customer loyalty and increase revenue per account by better articulating their offerings.

For more information on the announcement, read SecurityInfoWatch's article, "SimpliSafe to Join Everon Owner GTCR’s Security Holdings."