Citrix Acquires Collaboration Software Maker Netviewer

Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, this morning announced that it is to acquire Netviewer, a privately-held SaaS vendor in collaboration and IT services based in Germany. Netviewer will become an integral part of Citrix’ online services division, but the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2011, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions.

With the acquisition of the web conferencing and other collaboration software maker, Citrix Online aims to further its global expansion. Netviewer says it has more than 18,000 customers customers in countries throughout Europe, including the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Benelux, the Nordics, Italy and Spain.

Upon the closing of the acquisition, Netviewer CFO Robert Gratzl will be appointed as the VP and General Manager for Citrix Online in EMEA.

Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2001, the company currently employs more than 220 people according to its about page. The company has raised $24 million in venture funding in total.

Its investor roster includes T-Venture and the European Founders Fund (the investment vehicle of the Facebook-backing Samwer brothers).