Thoma Bravo LLC announced an agreement July 19 to sell Flexera Software, a company that provides software licensing services, in a deal that promises to generate a return of close to 5x, according to Orlando Bravo (pictured), a managing partner at the Chicago-based buyout shop, sister magazine Buyouts has reported.

Flexera is the third exit announced or closed by Thoma Bravo this week, an extraordinarily productive turn of events that should help the firm as it prepares to raise its next buyout fund.

“We think the market is reasonably valued, the debt markets are healthy, and corporate buyers are interested in buying,” Bravo said of the market for selling companies.

The firm carved Flexera out of Macrovision in April 2008, investing around $60 million of equity in a deal valued at $200 million. The new buyer is Teachers’ Private Capital, the private equity arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The purchase price was not disclosed. The sale would be the second exit from Thoma Bravo Fund IX LP, an $822.5 million fund the firm closed in 2009.

On July 18, the day before the Flexera announcement, Thoma Bravo closed its sale of Manatron, a provider of property tax services for state and local governments. The buyer is Thomson Reuters, publisher of Buyouts, in a deal that was announced in early June. Terms were not disclosed. However, Bravo said the sale would generate a return of more than 3x, and a gross internal rate of return of 50 percent. The firm took the company private for $66 million in April 2008, investing out of Fund IX and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners Fund VIII LP, a $765 million fund closed in 2005, before co-founders Bryan Cressey and Carl Thoma decided to go their separate ways (Cressey now runs Cressey & Co., a firm focused on the health care sector).

Also on July 18, Thoma Bravo announced the sale of Excelligence Learning Corp., a developer of educational products for early childhood and elementary schools, to Sterling Investment Partners for an undisclosed amount. Bravo said the sale would generate a return of 2.5x, and an IRR of 22 percent for the firm, which took the company private in 2006 (when the firm was still known as Thoma Cressey Equity Partners). The firm invested about $50 million of equity out of Fund VIII in the acquisition, which was valued at approximately $125 million.

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Last week, I had the pleasure of joining LANE PR client Mike Martini, winemaker for Louis M. Martini, as he played sous chef to Bruce Aidells for the taping of an upcoming Get Cookin episode for the Live Well Network. The shoot took place at Bruce’s beautiful home, which overlooks acres of farmland and vineyards.

In his gorgeous kitchen, they kicked off the segment with the preparation of Bruce’s recipe for Herb Roasted Whole Beef Fillet Stuffed with Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, a recipe he developed for Louis M. Martini.

Next, they moved to wine profiles and food pairing. Mike was able to showcase his recently released vintages, as well as a 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon from his family’s winery, which was definitely a treat.

The experience concluded, of course, with a huge meal, including the beef fillet, homemade hummus and baba ghanoush (care of Bruce’s wife, Nancy Oakes, of San Francisco’s Boulevard), salad with fresh corn and Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon. I did not leave hungry, or thirsty!

The segment should run throughout the nation during the holidays this year – keep your eyes peeled!