Internet security software maker AVG Technologies, on Friday said that it has moved its United States headquarters to San Francisco, California. Previously, the Netherlands-based company maintained its U.S. headquarters in Chemlsford, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.
“AVG’s new US Headquarters in San Francisco demonstrate our commitment to staying firmly entrenched in one of the world’s leading tech markets,” said JR Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. “In addition to being home for some of the planet’s most influential technology brands, San Francisco functions as a global beacon for all the innovation and research that occurs in neighboring Silicon Valley.”
“There is arguably no other place in the world that hosts as many key players in Internet, mobility, search, and associated infrastructure. That AVG maintains a footprint in the region gives the company access to the talent and numerous other resources necessary to maintain leadership and continue to deliver on our vision to provide peace of mind to our customers,” added Smith.
AVG, which went public in February of this year, provides Internet security software, primarily targeted to the consumer market. The company claims over 114 million active users in 170 countries, though many are users of its free software products. The company currently has market capitalization of approximately $580 million.
In November 2010, the company announced that it would acquire DroidSecurity, a cloud-based mobile security company based in Tel Aviv.
In March 2011, the company secured $235 million in credit financing through a syndicate arranged by J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Representing its first-ever capital markets transaction, the $235 million five-year term loan gave the company additional firepower to increase growth organically, as well as make acquisitions and pay a dividend to some existing shareholders.
The company acquired TuneUp Software, a provider of PC optimization software, in August 2011. In December 2011 AVG acquired Bsecure Technologies, a provider of consumer-focused Internet filtering and anti-virus software, an acquisition that the company said would further help penetrate the home Internet security market.
