By Milana Vinn
Sept 6 (Reuters) - Alteryx Inc AYX.N , a data analytics
software company with a market value of $2.2 billion, has been
working with an investment bank to explore a potential sale
after attracting takeover interest, according to people familiar
with the matter.
Fierce competition from big rivals such as Microsoft Corp
MSFT.O and Oracle Corp ORCL.N , as well as setbacks in
winning new business, have suppressed Alteryx's valuation and
made it an acquisition target. Its shares had lost almost half
their value in the last 12 months prior to news of its exploring
a sale.
The Irvine, California-based company is being advised by
investment bank Qatalyst Partners on its discussions with
potential acquirers, which include private equity firms, the
sources said.
Expressions of interest that Alteryx has received thus far
have not met its valuation expectations, and the company may
decide against any deal, the sources said, requesting anonymity
because the matter is confidential.
Alteryx and Qatalyst did not immediately respond to requests
for comment.
Alteryx, which debuted in the stock market in 2017, counts
more than 8,300 companies as its customers, including Coca-Cola
Co KO.N , Vodafone Plc VOD.L , Walmart Inc WMT.N , and Ford
Motor Company F.N . Its platform allows businesses to quickly
analyze and crunch data.
In recent years, Alteryx has transitioned to a
subscription-focused business model as part of a strategy to tap
into growing demand for data analytics services.
In its most recent quarter, Alteryx posted a net loss of
$120 million due to higher sales and marketing expenses. The
company has been revamping its sales operations, including with
training and coaching, after losing its North America sales
chief and recording slower growth in signing up new customers.
(Reporting by Milana Vinn in New York, Editing by Nick
Zieminski)
((milana.vinn@thomsonreuters.com))