Private equity firms H.I.G. Capital and Thoma Bravo announced Nov. 4 a definitive agreement to acquire the brand, IT certification and training business and products of Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce. 

The transaction, subject to customary regulatory approval, is expected to close in early 2025. 

“The technology landscape is evolving quickly, and it is more important than ever that IT professionals have the skills needed to solve not only today’s challenges but also those expected to emerge in the future,” A.J. Rohde, senior partner at Thoma Bravo, said in a press release. “We view our investment in CompTIA as an important opportunity to capitalize on this growing need while investing in the development of the industry as a whole.” 

Plans call for CompTIA to operate as a for-profit entity under H.I.G. and Thoma Bravo following the closing of the transaction, while the membership-based nonprofit arm, focused on advocacy and industry service, will remain separate and continue to operate as a 501(c)(6) organization. 

CompTIA President and CEO Todd Thibodeaux emphasized that only CompTIA’s certification and training business is part of the transaction, not the association itself. 

“The association itself is not being sold,” Thibodeaux said in a press release. “Only the CompTIA certification and training business, which has grown substantially in the last 10 years, is part of the transaction. The investment income on the endowment created by the sale proceeds is sufficient to cover the association’s operating costs, increased charitable giving, as well as be an engine of growth, for the association in the future.” 

The association will continue to serve the IT channel and maintain its volunteer board of directors. Its annual budget, previously supported by certification and training sales revenues, will now come from investment income generated by the endowment. 

Q. Nguyen, vice chair of the CompTIA board of directors, noted the annual charitable giving will rise to more than $20 million from approximately $5 million. 

“These funds will directly benefit impactful organizations dedicated to advancing technology adoption, creating pathways to careers in technology, and using technology to educate and enrich communities. We’re thrilled to make an even greater impact,” Nguyen said in a press release. 

Downers Grove, Illinois-based CompTIA has awarded more than 3.5 million certifications to IT professionals worldwide to date.