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Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal

Exostar: The Explore Platform's First Investment

Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal · 2026-04-02 · 58 min

Episode notes

In this episode of Behind the Deal , Thoma Bravo Partner Carl Press and Principal Adam Kinalski are joined by Exostar CEO Richard Addi to tell the story behind one of the firm’s most hard-fought investments. Exostar, a mission-critical platform serving the aerospace and defense industry, wasn’t for sale. What followed was a multi-year effort to build trust with six joint venture shareholders, navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and ultimately get the deal across the finish line. Together, Carl, Adam and Richard unpack the full lifecycle of the investment - from sourcing and diligence to transformation and exit - and reflect on what it took to transition Exostar from a shared-service joint venture into a high-growth, profitable enterprise software company. In just three years, the business accelerated growth, expanded margins and positioned itself for a successful exit, making Exostar a defining deal for Thoma Bravo’s Explore platform. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit Learn more about Thoma Bravo: Learn more about Exostar: Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an advertisement.

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