The private equity group which owns compliance and energy services group Sureserve is among the bidders circling a division of NCC Group, the London-listed cybersecurity company.
Sky News understands that Cap10 has expressed an interest in buying Escode, which specialises in software escrow and verification services.
City sources said that Platinum Equity, a US-based buyout firm, was also among Escode’s suitors.
Interest from earlier bidders, including Bridgepoint and Montagu Private Equity, is said to have waned.
A deal could cost any buyer in the region of £300m.
Last week, Sky News revealed that NCC Group had kicked off a strategic review of its main cybersecurity operations which could also lead to a sale.
The Escode process is being handled by bankers at Lazard, with the cybersecurity division’s review overseen by Rothschild.
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NCC has confirmed both sets of discussions to investors, although their outcome remains unclear.
The group employs about 2,200 people across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Shares in NCC Group were trading on Wednesday morning at about 146.8p, giving the company a market valuation of roughly £467m.
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Cap10 and NCC declined to comment, while Platinum could not be reached for comment.
