MyHeritage has grown to be a well-recognized genealogy website. This article explores the foundational narrative and operational dynamics of MyHeritage, covering essential details from its technological advancements to its humanitarian endeavors. We also answer key questions, including “who owns MyHeritage?”. This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the firm’s ownership and the implications it has on the services offered.
Who Owns MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is owned by Francisco Partners, a San Francisco-based global private equity firm that specializes in investments in technology and technology-enabled businesses. The February 2021 acquisition came as a part of a definitive agreement signed by both parties, the details of which, including the financial terms, were not disclosed to the public.
Despite the acquisition, the company’s operational structure remained substantially the same with Gilad Japhet retaining his role as the Founder and CEO, thereby continuing to lead the dedicated team at MyHeritage in pushing forward its mission of simplifying family history discoveries through technological innovations.
TechCrunch reported the deal was worth $600 million.
What is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is an online genealogy platform and DNA testing service that allows users to search historical records, create family trees, and take DNA tests to uncover their ancestry.
MyHeritage embarked on its journey in 2003, founded in a garage startup by Gilad Japhet. Over the years, it transformed into a global leader in genealogy, propelled by a commitment to innovation, compassion, and diversity. MyHeritage facilitated family history explorations through a range of services including the launch of the multilingual website in 2005, sophisticated matching technologies like Smart Matches™ in 2007, and Instant Discoveries™ in 2014. The breakthrough came in 2016 with the introduction of MyHeritage DNA, a service offering insights into ethnic origins and connecting relatives.
In 2021, MyHeritage reached significant milestones, including the launch of Deep Nostalgia™, a feature allowing users to animate faces in still photos. The company also hit the one million annual subscribers mark. The same year saw Francisco Partners acquiring the company, with a promise to uphold the rich legacy of services and community engagement built over the years.
Apart from being a technological powerhouse in the genealogy sector, MyHeritage carries a humanitarian spirit, evident from its swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up a large testing laboratory in Israel. The company has also undertaken numerous pro bono projects globally, including Tribal Quest and DNA Quest, focusing on documenting the histories of remote tribal communities and aiding adoptees in finding their birth families.
Where is MyHeritage Located?
MyHeritage is located in Or Yehuda, which is situated in the Tel Aviv district of Israel. MyHeritage has a global presence with its team based in Israel, North America, and Europe.
The company’s roots are deeply entrenched in Israel, where it was founded. The company’s substantial footprint in the international market is reflected through its extensive database and multi-lingual offerings, merging past, present, and future, and connecting individuals with their heritage from various geographical locales.
Where is MyHeritage DNA Lab Located?
The MyHeritage DNA lab operates out of Houston, Texas, utilizing the facilities of the Gene by Gene laboratory, a well-established institution which also owns FamilyTreeDNA. This strategic partnership leverages high-tech facilities and expertise to conduct comprehensive DNA analyses. The Houston-based lab underscores MyHeritage’s commitment to providing users with innovative, state-of-the-art tools to explore their family history through a MyHeritage DNA test.
Who owns Ancestry?
Ancestry is owned by the Blackstone Group, a prominent investment firm founded in 1985. The firm acquired a substantial stake in Ancestry.com in August 2020 for a notable $4.7 billion. This acquisition has positioned Ancestry.com as a powerhouse in the industry, emphasizing its extensive data repository which is the bedrock of its primary product – subscription-based access to a vast wealth of genealogical and historical records.
