IonQ is one of the world’s leading quantum company The integration of Skyloom’s optical networking systems into IonQ’s broader infrastructure platform will boost data throughput by up to 500% and reduce latency for critical applications from many hours to under one hour. The deal will also strengthen IonQ’s ability to offer fully integrated quantum networking and distributed quantum entanglement capabilities across space and ground infrastructure.

Simpson Thacher is representing Francisco Partners in its agreed all-cash acquisition of Jamf at $13.05 per share (about $2.2bn). The deal is expected to close in Q1 2026, subject to customary conditions including Jamf stockholder and regulatory approvals; Vista Equity Partners (34% as of Oct 24, 2025) will vote in favour. Jamf provides management and security for Apple-first enterprise environments, aiming to keep deployments enterprise-secure while remaining simple for end users and privacy-protective.

Fifth security-sector investment, building a full-stack platform. SimpliSafe is GTCR's fifth alarm/monitoring bet, alongside prior investments in SecurityLink, Protection1, HSM and Everon (the ADT commercial spinout). With Everon simultaneously acquiring ADT's multifamily business, GTCR is assembling a portfolio that spans residential DIY, multifamily, and commercial monitoring — a coordinated consolidation play across the full security stack rather than a one-off sector deal. Classic GTCR "Leaders Strategy" execution. The firm is retaining CEO Christian Cerda and keeping founders Chad and Eleanor Laurans as substantial investors and board members — textbook GTCR playbook of backing incumbent management in a category-leading asset (SimpliSafe is the #3 US residential security provider with a US/UK footprint) and funding organic growth plus bolt-ons from there. Expected close is Q4 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Kirkland fielded an all-Chicago, GTCR-relationship team. Corporate was led by Ted Frankel, Dan Guerin, Kyle McHugh and Matt Dixon (with associates Sean Nuernberger and Taylor Petersen); Tom Dobleman and Patrick Loughery ran debt finance (relevant given the reported $1.2bn HPS/Blue Owl unitranche); Polina Liberman on tax. The staffing reflects Kirkland's deep, long-running GTCR sponsor relationship out of Chicago — useful context if you're mapping partner-client pairings for any BD work on the GTCR side.

Paul, Weiss advised QXO, Inc. on its all-cash acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply at $124.35 per share, valuing Beacon at about $11bn and making QXO the largest publicly traded U.S. distributor of roofing/waterproofing and related building products. Paul, Weiss also advised on the acquisition financing: a $2.25bn private offering of 6.75% senior secured notes due 2032, a $2.25bn senior secured term loan, and a $2.0bn asset-based revolver. The deal was handled by a multi-practice Paul, Weiss team spanning corporate, executive comp, tax, IP, litigation, real estate, antitrust and environmental.