The deal to acquire Byfleet-based software provider Arc Technology involves an initial consideration of £1.1m followed by £300,000 on the anniversary of completion, and up to £600,000 in further payments if the business achieves certain performance targets by 21 February 2026.

Arc Technology had sales of £1.1m in its most recent financial year, with EBIT of £340,000 and net assets of £940,000.

Software Circle said that Arc’s core platform “enables university placement teams to centrally administer student placements, providing information about practice environments in which students undertake practice-based learning”.

More than 90% of revenues come from annual recurring fees.

It employs eight. Managing director and founder Nader Bishay remains with the business, while founding shareholder Soraia Bishay will step down.

It is Software Circle’s first buy since the Aim-listed PLC and Nettl owner raised additional funding for acquisitions last year.

CEO Gavin Cockerill commented: “ARC meets our acquisition criteria extremely well and adds to Software Circle's growing family of niche vertical market SaaS companies that generate revenues of a recurring nature.

“We welcome Nader and his team to the Group and look forward to working with them to drive further growth in the years ahead.”

Editor’s note: Arc Technology is not connected to Dartford-based print and document management specialist Arc-UK Technologies.