Blue Yonder Acquisition, Valuation, Funding & Investors

Blue Yonder was acquired by Panasonic for $8.5B in April 2021, a 7.7x multiple on $1.1B of revenue.

Blue Yonder acquisition price

$8.5B

Acquired by Panasonic · Apr 2021

Blue Yonder revenue at acquisition

$1.1B

Last twelve months · Apr 2021

Blue Yonder revenue multiple at acquisition

7.7x

EV/Revenue · Apr 2021

Cumulative funding Blue Yonder raised

$625M

across 2 funding rounds

Blue Yonder Overview

About Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder is a Scottsdale, Arizona-headquartered provider of supply chain management software, known until February 2020 as JDA Software. Its cloud-based Luminate platform covers supply chain planning, demand forecasting, warehouse and transportation management and commerce, using AI and machine learning to automate decisions for retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers. In 2021 it counted more than 3,000 customers, including 65 of the top 100 retailers and brands such as Walmart, Starbucks, Unilever and DHL, and it earns revenue from SaaS subscriptions, software licences, maintenance and services. Revenue exceeded USD 1 billion in 2020 and reached about USD 1.36 billion in 2024, when the company had roughly 8,000 employees. JDA was founded in 1985 by James Donald Armstrong and Frederick Pakis, listed in 1996, was taken private by New Mountain Capital in 2012 and merged with RedPrairie, and took a USD 575 million equity investment from Blackstone and New Mountain in 2016. It bought Karlsruhe-based AI specialist Blue Yonder in 2018 and adopted its name. Panasonic acquired 20% in 2020 and the remainder in 2021 at a USD 8.5 billion valuation; since then Blue Yonder has acquired One Network Enterprises, flexis, Pledge and Optoro.


Founded

1985

HQ

United StatesScottsdale

Status

Acquired

Customer focus

B2B

Revenue model

Subscription

Revenue

$1B (Oct 2016)

Valuation

$5.5B (May 2020)

Blue Yonder Acquisition

Blue Yonder was acquired by Panasonic for $8.5B on 23 April 2021.

The acquisition price implies a 7.7x revenue multiple on $1.1B of revenue.

Before the acquisition Blue Yonder had raised $625M across 2 funding rounds.

On 23 April 2021 Panasonic Corporation agreed to acquire the remaining 80% of Blue Yonder, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based supply chain software provider formerly known as JDA Software, from New Mountain Capital and funds managed by Blackstone. Panasonic paid USD 5.6 billion for the shares; including repayment of outstanding debt the additional investment totalled USD 7.1 billion, valuing Blue Yonder at USD 8.5 billion. The deal built on a relationship that began with a partnership in January 2019, a joint venture in Japan in November 2019 and Panasonic's purchase of a 20% stake with a board seat in July 2020. Panasonic funded the purchase with about USD 3.5 billion of reserved cash and a bridge loan to be refinanced with hybrid financing. The acquisition closed on 17 September 2021 after antitrust and regulatory clearances, and Blue Yonder was placed within Panasonic's Connected Solutions Company, later Panasonic Connect, keeping its brand and chief executive Girish Rishi. For 2020 Blue Yonder reported total revenue of over USD 1 billion, 67% of it recurring, and SaaS annual recurring revenue of USD 343 million. It served more than 3,000 customers, including 65 of the top 100 retailers, through its AI/ML-driven Luminate platform for planning, execution and commerce.

Blue Yonder acquisition details
AcquirerDateTypePriceEV/Revenue
23 Apr 2021Strategic M&A$8.5B7.7x

Sources: news.panasonic.com, news.panasonic.com, en.wikipedia.org

Blue Yonder Valuation

Blue Yonder is currently valued at $5.5B, based on its secondary sale in May 2020. Read the announcement ↗

The $800M round was led by Panasonic.

Blue Yonder's valuation has grown 12x from $455M at its undisclosed-stage round in April 2006 to $5.5B in May 2020, across 2 priced rounds.

Blue Yonder valuation by funding round

Revenue multiple
Blue Yonder valuation by funding round
DateStageValuationRevenue Multiple
May 2020Secondary$5.5B-
Apr 2006Undisclosed stage$455M2.1x

Blue Yonder Revenue

Blue Yonder's latest recorded revenue is $1B, as of its undisclosed-stage round in October 2016.

Revenue grew from $213M in April 2006 to $1B in October 2016.

Blue Yonder revenue by funding round

Blue Yonder revenue and valuation multiple by funding round
DateRevenue *ValuationRevenue MultipleStage
Oct 2016$1B--Undisclosed stage
Apr 2006$213M$455M2.1xUndisclosed stage

* Revenue (or ARR) figures are the values recorded alongside each funding round. Typically run-rate revenue at the time of the deal, or a reported LTM (last 12 months) revenue.

Blue Yonder Funding History

Blue Yonder has raised a total of $625M across 2 funding rounds, plus 1 secondary share sale.

Blue Yonder's first fundraising round was a $50M undisclosed-stage round in April 2006. The most recent completed round was a $575M undisclosed-stage round in October 2016.

Blue Yonder funding rounds

Blue Yonder funding rounds
DateStageInvestorsRaisedValuationDeal Summary
May 2020SecondaryPanasonic (lead)$800M$5.5BOn 20 May 2020 Panasonic Corporation announced a strategic equity investment in Blue Yonder, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based supply chain software provider formerly known as JDA Software. Panasonic acquired a 20% minority stake through a secondary sale of existing shares, paying about USD 800 million, and received one seat on Blue Yonder's board of directors. The transaction valued Blue Yonder at an enterprise value of USD 5.5 billion. The investment extended a relationship that included a joint venture in Japan announced in April 2019, and was intended to accelerate sales of Blue Yonder's Luminate solutions in Japan and joint development combining Panasonic's IoT and edge devices with Blue Yonder's machine-learning platform. Blue Yonder was then owned by New Mountain Capital and funds managed by Blackstone, and its customers included Best Buy, BP, Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, DHL, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Unilever and Walmart. Panasonic completed the stake purchase in July 2020 and in April 2021 agreed to buy the remaining 80% of the company at a USD 8.5 billion valuation.
Oct 2016Undisclosed stageBlackstone (lead); New Mountain Capital (lead)$575M-In October 2016 JDA Software Group, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based supply chain software company that later renamed itself Blue Yonder, completed a USD 575 million equity investment from funds affiliated with Blackstone and its controlling shareholder New Mountain Capital. The recapitalisation had been announced in August 2016, when New Mountain said it would partner with Blackstone to inject new equity rather than sell the business. The proceeds were used to pay down part of JDA's roughly USD 2 billion debt load and cut annual interest expense, alongside a refinancing of the remaining borrowings. The deal followed reports that Honeywell and other suitors had held talks about buying JDA, and analysts read it as a signal that New Mountain preferred to keep and grow the company. New Mountain had taken JDA private in 2012 for about USD 1.9 billion and merged it with its portfolio company RedPrairie. JDA was founded in 1985 and sells supply chain planning, warehouse and transportation management and retail merchandising software to retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers. Blackstone and New Mountain remained the owners until Panasonic bought a 20% stake in 2020 and the remainder of the company in 2021.
Apr 2006Undisclosed stageThoma Bravo (lead)$50M$455MOn 24 April 2006 JDA Software Group, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based retail and supply chain software company, announced that Thoma Cressey Equity Partners would invest USD 50 million in the company in the form of convertible preferred stock. The investment was made in connection with JDA's agreement, announced the same day, to acquire Manugistics Group for approximately USD 211 million in cash, or USD 2.50 per share, and was to close concurrently with that acquisition. The preferred stock was priced off JDA's average share price over the three days after the announcement, subject to a minimum of USD 11.75 and a maximum of USD 15.75 per share, and Thoma Cressey managing partner Orlando Bravo joined JDA's board. Citigroup and UBS committed up to USD 175 million of term loans and USD 50 million of revolving loans to fund the rest of the purchase. For the twelve months to March 2006 JDA reported revenue of USD 213.4 million and EBITDA of USD 30.0 million, with 1,055 employees and more than 4,900 customers. Thoma Cressey, an enterprise software investor with about USD 2 billion of equity under management at the time, later became Thoma Bravo.

Who has invested in Blue Yonder?

4 investors have backed Blue Yonder across its funding rounds, including Blackstone, Thoma Bravo, New Mountain Capital and Panasonic.

Lead investors include Panasonic, Blackstone, New Mountain Capital and Thoma Bravo.


Blue Yonder Investors

Investors in Blue Yonder by funding rounds participated
InvestorHQRoundsRoleFirst check
New Mountain CapitalUnited StatesNew York City, NY1LeadOct 2016
BlackstoneUnited StatesNew York City, NY1LeadOct 2016

This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all 4 Blue Yonder investors.

Start Free Trial

Benchmark 350K+ Funding Rounds and Disclosed VC Valuation Multiples

Sign up to see data on 350K+ funding rounds and disclosed revenue and EBITDA valuation multiples, from seed, through growth stage, to pre-IPO.

Start Free Trial

Acquisitions by Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder has acquired 7 companies to date.

Last acquisition by Blue Yonder was on August 19th 2025. Blue Yonder acquired Optoro for undisclosed valuation.


Latest Acquisitions by Blue Yonder

Optoro
Pledge
One Network Enterprises
flexis AG
Description
Optoro is a Washington, D.C.-based SaaS provider of returns management systems for retailers, brands, and third-party logistics providers. Its platform handles the full returns lifecycle including initiation via customer portals, condition grading, restocking decisions, and resale channels integrated with warehouse management systems. Optoro processes millions of returns annually for clients like American Eagle Outfitters and Staples, reducing reverse logistics costs by optimizing dispositions.
Pledge is a London-headquartered SaaS provider of carbon accounting software for logistics firms, accredited by Smart Freight Centre under GLEC and ISO 14083 standards. It calculates Scope 3 emissions for 1,000 shippers including DHL and Maersk, enabling reduction via route optimization. Founded in 2021, Pledge integrates with TMS like FourKites and offers removal offsets through partners.
One Network Enterprises is a Dallas-headquartered provider of the Digital Supply Chain Network platform, featuring control towers for end-to-end visibility from raw materials to last-mile delivery. Powered by NEO platform with machine learning agents, it optimizes planning, execution, inbound logistics, and order fulfillment in real time. The solution connects multi-tier suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across industries like consumer goods and automotive.
flexis AG is a German provider of supply chain planning and scheduling software for automotive, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. Headquartered in Dortmund with offices in Europe, North America, and Asia, the blackbox platform offers real-time visibility into production orders, inventory, and transportation. Solutions integrate with ERP systems like SAP for demand forecasting and order sequencing, optimizing throughput in just-in-time environments.
HQ CountryUnited StatesUnited KingdomUnited StatesGermany
HQ City
Washington, DC
London
Dallas, TX
Stuttgart
Deal Date19 Aug 20251 May 202529 Mar 20248 Feb 2024
Valuationundisclosedundisclosed$839Mundisclosed
EV/Revenue
EV/EBITDA

This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all Blue Yonder acquisitions and their M&A valuation multiples.

Start Free Trial

Blue Yonder Competitors

Blue Yonder competitors include listed companies like Descartes Systems Group, Ingram Micro and Manhattan Associates, and private ones like Meicai, RELEX Solutions and Workato.

Public and private companies comparable to Blue Yonder
CompanyHQStatusRevenueEBITDAValuationRevenue Multiple
Descartes Systems GroupCanadaCanadaPublicly listed$729M$305M$8.1B9.6x
MeicaiChinaBeijingPrivate--$7B-
Ingram MicroUnited StatesUnited StatesPublicly listed$53B$1.1B$5.8B0.2x
RELEX SolutionsFinlandHelsinkiPrivate$304M-$5.8B38.3x
WorkatoUnited StatesMountain ViewPrivate--$5.7B-
Manhattan AssociatesUnited StatesUnited StatesPublicly listed$1.1B$288M$15B12.5x

Blue Yonder Public Comps

Blue Yonder is no longer listed, but its public comps include Descartes Systems Group, Elastic, SenseTime Group, Ingram Micro, Octave Intelligence, Presight AI, Dynatrace, Sportradar, Kinaxis and Wuchan Zhongda Group Co.

Last FYEV/RevenueEV/EBITDA
RevenueEBITDALast FYLTM2027ELast FYLTM2027E
Descartes Systems Group$729M$305M10.6x9.6x25.3x20.8x
Elastic$1.7B$35M4.7x4.3x235.7x23.6x
SenseTime Group$753M($71M)6.9x5.6x(73.1x)47.1x
Ingram Micro$53B$1.1B0.2x0.2x8.2x6.1x
Octave Intelligence$1.6B$530M3.7x3.6x11.3x10.8x
Presight AI$825M$214M5.7x4.7x21.9x18.1x
Dynatrace$2B$276M5.9x5.4x43.1x18.2x
Sportradar$1.4B$597M2.7x2.3x6.5x9.8x

This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all Blue Yonder competitors and their valuation data.

Start Free Trial

Common questions about Blue Yonder

When was Blue Yonder founded?Blue Yonder was founded in 1985.
Where is Blue Yonder headquartered?Blue Yonder is headquartered in Scottsdale, United States.
Is Blue Yonder publicly listed?No, Blue Yonder was acquired by Panasonic in April 2021.
Who acquired Blue Yonder?Blue Yonder was acquired by Panasonic in April 2021.
How much was Blue Yonder acquired for?Blue Yonder was acquired for $8.5B in April 2021, a 7.7x revenue multiple.
What is Blue Yonder's valuation?Blue Yonder was last valued at $5.5B in its secondary sale in May 2020.
How much funding has Blue Yonder raised?Blue Yonder has raised $625M across 2 funding rounds.
What was Blue Yonder's last funding round?Blue Yonder's last funding round was a $575M undisclosed-stage round in October 2016, led by Blackstone and New Mountain Capital.
Who are Blue Yonder's investors?Blue Yonder's investors include New Mountain Capital, Blackstone, Thoma Bravo and Panasonic.
What is Blue Yonder's revenue?Blue Yonder's latest recorded revenue is $1B (October 2016).
Which companies are comparable to Blue Yonder?Companies comparable to Blue Yonder include Descartes Systems Group, Meicai, Ingram Micro, RELEX Solutions, Workato and Manhattan Associates.
How many companies has Blue Yonder acquired?Blue Yonder has acquired 7 companies, including Optoro, Pledge, One Network Enterprises, flexis AG and Doddle.
What was the largest acquisition by Blue Yonder?The $839M acquisition of One Network Enterprises in March 2024 is the largest acquisition Blue Yonder has made to date.

See companies similar to Blue Yonder

Start Your
Free Trial Today

Try Multiples for free for 3 days. Got questions or need a demo? Schedule a call with us below.

Start Trial