Has Vurv Been Acquired?
A lot of speculation began early last week that Vurv had been acquired and the deal would be announced as soon as May 1st. As we all know, this space is always abound with speculation. I have probably heard unsubstantiated rumors about every vendor when it comes to mergers and acquisitions.
Last week, I would have sided with them raising additional capital instead of opting to sell. I typically don’t like to feed speculation but, over the past few days, their have been a handful of indications that suggest it just might actually be true. Frankly, I struggle to think of a vendor that would be a great fit with them today. If the rumor is true, though, it would change the talent acquisition/talent management landscape overnight, with, in my opinion, Taleo receiving much of the benefit in the short term.
We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
Technorati Tags: vurv, taleo, talent acquisition, talent management, M&A
20 Comments Add your own
1. Peter Gold | May 1st, 2008 at 2:33 am
Based on the amount of traffic to my site around my post on the same issue there is a lot of speculation at least!
2. David Hain | May 1st, 2008 at 2:36 am
Jason - Their execs have been on “radio silence” recently so something is up. The most recent path, after several failed attempts at an IPO, was to raise significant funding.
3. Brian | May 1st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I have heard similar musings over the past few months - one source says they’re talking to a major PE firm. I have also heard from a quality source that they’re close to securing a massive round of growth capital. Seems to make sense looking at the public market performance recently.
4. Mike Hudson | May 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hey Jason, Could you be any more slanted towards Taleo? Seriously, did you have Jeff Carr actually type that up for you or did he just dictate it over the phone?
Without any details, the only thing you can be sure of is that it’ll benefit Taleo huh? So much for impartiality…
5. Jason Corsello | May 1st, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Sorry to hear that Mike. If you have followed my blog for the three years I have written it, you would know I have praised and criticized many vendors in the space including Taleo.
I leave comments open because I think it is important for others to either agree or disagree when necessary and have the ability to express it!
Thanks,
Jason
6. Mike Hudson | May 1st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Ok, I just read each post under your Taleo category. Please point me to the entry where you have ANYthing negative to say about them and I will humbly extend my apologies.
7. Jason Corsello | May 1st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
No need to apologize…
http://humancapitalist.com/?p=311
8. Mike Hudson | May 1st, 2008 at 8:00 pm
My apologies, (and my last comment)the following quote from an unlinked article can only be described as scathing…
“I am convinced in their product strategy, roadmap and focus on usability (usability is the game-changer).”
9. Mark Stelzner | May 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Jason,
I think this is a very dangerous post. With so much uncertainty about sustainability, throwing a vendor publicly into doubt like this creates some challenges that may be difficult to overcome.
Not to be the contrarian, but I have it on fairly reliable authority that your supposition may be false. I’m not sure if KI does work with Vurv, but I have to assume that they would not be too happy to be reading this thread.
10. A Non Person | May 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
In law, defamation (also called vilification, slander, and libel) is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressively stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation. Slander refers to spoken comments, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts which arises where one person reveals information which is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person”Unlike libel or slander, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy.”
11. Rumeur de rachat de Vurv &hellip | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
[…] transformé par des acquisitions depuis 2 ans. Et ce n’est pas fini comme en témoigne la rumeur persistante de rachat de Vurv par SAP. Partagez ! Ces icônes sont des liens vers des sites de partage de signet sociaux où les […]
12. Peter Gold | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Jason
Mark may be right in which case I am as guilty as you; maybe more so! But, if it is such a weak question why so much interest, denial and comment?
Time may tell although maybe the public debate will change events?
Peter
13. Peter Gold | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Jason
Mark may be right in which case I am as guilty as you; maybe more so! But, if it is such a weak question why so much interest, denial and comment?
Time may tell although maybe the public debate will change events?
Peter
14. RL | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Mike I have to agree with you. It seems that JC has a hand shake and wink relationship with Taleo.
Mark I have to agree with you as well. A dangerous post indeed.
I think the pure beneficiary in such an acquisition would be Taleo. Vurv’s new PM SW is fantastic. The merging of technologies would be a powerhouse in HCM software.
However there is a difference between what is and what has been announced. I am not doubting it but slinging mud only works in the Democratic Primary.
15. Anon | May 3rd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Alot of us would like to know more. Internal discussion hasn’t been commented on by any member of management when this article was posted on an internal website and seeked comment.
16. Anon | May 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Done deal.
17. Michael | May 6th, 2008 at 3:45 am
Jason,
Very interesting news today with Taleo being the buyer. Rumor mill had Vurv talking to Taleo months ago. I think I would be very concerned as a Vurv employee. I just don’t see Taleo keeping Vurv’s technology platform (ColdFusion). Lot of people think ColdFusion is a dying technology.
What are your thoughts?
18. Kenneth Richmond | May 6th, 2008 at 7:36 am
well looks like this is true great reporting Vurv has been bought out for 128.8 million
http://www.ere.net/blogs/Hire_Calling/818FF22737304EB785433A79B14CAA36.asp
19. Sam | May 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
In yet another example of companies in the Talent Management space completely ignoring the tenants of what they espouse… Vurv Technology recently embarked on a spree of hiring across multiple business lines. Their management must have known that an acquisition was a strong possibility. These new employees are now in a void very likely to get let go soon after Taleo purchased Vurv primarily to remove a competitor and gain access to a new client base. Perhaps, prospective clients should start looking at vendor’s internal policies and employee satisfaction before purchasing software.
How many of these vendors even use their own software? How many gobble smaller companies and layoff all of the expertise needed to support the software? How many believe in what they are selling?
20. Martin Snyder | May 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
This thread is a great little demonstration of the challenges facing modern journalism.
Jason demonstrated solid reporting- he is clearly connected on the subject matter since he was first by days on this.
The days are long gone when ‘news’ was scarce and only verified facts were reported. Now mere hints of movement are reported and speculation (fed by more and more information) is news itself.
Kudos to Jason for doing a good job tipping his readers off: a reporters job is to report !
Boos to the naysayers afraid to even discuss an idea as a hypothetical.
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