Black Knight, a provider of integrated software, data and analytics to the mortgage and real estate industries, completed the acquisition of Optimal Blue, a provider of secondary market solutions and actionable data services, from private equity firm GTCR for $1.8bn. In connection with the acquisition, Black Knight will combine its Compass Analytics business with Optimal Blue in a newly formed entity with minority co-investors Cannae Holdings and Thomas H. Lee Partners. Cannae and THL will each have a 20% ownership interest in the new entity. Black Knight will own 60% of the new entity. "Optimal Blue and Black Knight share similar strategies for innovation, integration and client focus, as well as a similar culture, which is key to successfully integrating premier companies. We are excited about the opportunity to be part of Black Knight where there is such a great strategic fit, strong client base and so many opportunities to deliver innovative solutions that will add value to our clients," Scott Happ, Optimal Blue CEO.