M/C Partners Closes on the Acquisitions of Thrive Networks and Corporate IT Solutions

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BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–M/C Partners today announced that it has closed on the acquisitions of Tewksbury, MA-based Thrive Networks, a subsidiary of Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation, and Norwood, MA-based Corporate IT Solutions. The merger of these two companies will form one of the largest managed IT services providers in the Northeast United States under the Thrive brand.

“These organizations will complement one another perfectly, thus enhancing their mid-market and enterprise customer experiences with additional resources, engineering depth and a new product portfolio. We expect this transaction to be the first in a series of acquisitions that enable Thrive to penetrate additional geographic markets on the East Coast.”

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“M/C Partners is excited to acquire these two well respected entities and merge them together to create an exceptional technology services platform,” said Gillis Cashman, Managing Partner at M/C Partners. “These organizations will complement one another perfectly, thus enhancing their mid-market and enterprise customer experiences with additional resources, engineering depth and a new product portfolio. We expect this transaction to be the first in a series of acquisitions that enable Thrive to penetrate additional geographic markets on the East Coast.”

Thrive Networks was previously owned by parent company, Manhattan Telecommunications Corporation (“MetTel”), and Corporate IT Solutions was privately held by President & CEO, Michael Cook, who will be staying onboard Thrive as a Managing Partner and Board Member. Both MetTel and Mr. Cook will be investors in Thrive, with MetTel’s Board seat held by Steven Tunney, Executive Vice President of Strategy at MetTel, and Corporate IT Solution’s Board seat held by Mr. Cook. MetTel will remain as a wholesale partner for Thrive, continuing to leverage Thrive’s technology products for MetTel’s customer base. Thrive will be run by CEO Rob Stephenson, former executive at Access Northeast and Xand, who has been consulting at Thrive under MetTel’s direction for the past year. Mr. Stephenson will also be an investor and a Board Member.

In developing this new technology services platform, Thrive will be uniquely positioned to offer compliance-based solutions to its financial services, healthcare, insurance, technology and education customer base.

As Thrive’s primary financial investor, M/C Partners will contribute its extensive experience in the technology and communications services markets. M/C has been a leading investor in this sector for more than two decades, having previously invested in Lightower, Zayo, Involta, Ensono, Fusepoint, Attenda, Denovo and others. Pacific Mercantile Bank (NASDAQ, PMBC) has been selected as an additional financing partner for this transaction. Legal counsel for M/C Partners was provided by Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.

About Thrive Networks

Thrive Networks, a leading New England-based managed services provider, delivers a portfolio of outsourced technology services that included cloud, hosting, security, disaster recovery, backup, replication, network management, device management, storage, virtualization and more. For nearly two decades, Thrive has leveraged leading vendor technologies, its vast technical engineering talent and a fanatical dedication to client support to service hundreds of mid-market customers across the United States. For more information, please visit www.thrivenetworks.com.

About Corporate IT Solutions

Corporate IT Solutions, Inc. delivers a customized comprehensive portfolio addressing the complete technology lifecycle — planning, designing, integrating, operating and optimizing networking and system solutions. The company also works closely with customers throughout implementation and post-implementation, offering management expertise and support. Corporate IT Solutions has a focus on service delivery through three primary lines of business including Managed Services, Hosted Services and Professional Services. Corporate IT Solutions’ expertise in each of the above areas allow it to provide clients with reduced operational and capital expenditures in technology while providing quality services and stability. For more information, please visit www.corpitsol.com.

About M/C Partners

M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the communications, media, and information technology sectors. The firm has invested over $2.2 billion of capital into nearly 100 companies in those sectors. Companies M/C has backed include Cavalier Telephone, Ensono, Everstream, Fusepoint, ICG Communications, Involta, Legendary Pictures, Lightower, MetroPCS, NuVox, and Zayo Group. The firm has strong institutional backing from the nation’s leading pension funds and endowments as well as a long track record of success. M/C Partners has offices in Boston and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.mcpartners.com.

About MetTel

MetTel is a leading global provider of customized, integrated and managed communications solutions for enterprise customers. By converging all communications over a proprietary network, MetTel enables enterprise companies to easily deploy and manage technology-driven voice, data, wireless and cloud solutions globally. Combining customized and managed communication solutions with a powerful platform of cloud-based software, the company’s MetTel Portal® enables customers to manage their inventory, usage, spend and repairs from one simple, user friendly interface. MetTel was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City. For more information, please visit www.mettel.net.

Contacts

For media inquiries, please contact:
Thrive Networks
Kevin Ellis, 978-243-1431
kellis@thrivenetworks.com

View source version here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161207005177/en/MC-Partners-Closes-Acquisitions-Thrive-Networks-Corporate

Zack Halpryn

Zack Halpryn is an Associate at M|C Partners, where he focuses on investment opportunities in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. Prior to joining MC, Zack worked at HarbourVest Partners, where he was focused on buyout and growth equity investments. Previously he worked at Performance Equity Management and Credit Suisse. Zack received a B.B.A in Finance (summa cum laude) from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He currently lives in Boston’s West End and in his spare time enjoys playing sports (volleyball, basketball, golf), reading and watching the Celtics.

Joined

2023

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

AccessParks
Ascend Technologies
Carbon60
Denovo
TowerCom

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

celito

Established in 1999 and based in Raleigh, is a trusted, local communications and managed services provider to businesses leveraging its fully owned fiber network. celito creates technology solutions for businesses across all sectors both large and small. From supplying high-speed Internet service, to providing quality VoIP telecom service, to setting up your office network, they offer turnkey solutions from the desktop to the cloud

 

TEAM MEMBERS

SECTOR

Jason P. Stutman

Jason Stutman is a Senior Fund Accountant at M/C Partners, responsible for the cash management of co-investment vehicles, preparing quarterly financial statements, and communication with Limited Partners. Prior to joining the firm in 2023, Jason worked in the Portfolio Analytics Group at HarbourVest Partners. He earned a BSBA with honors in Finance with a minor in Computer Information Science from The Ohio State University. Jason lives in South Boston and enjoys cheering on Boston sports teams, playing hockey and golf and traveling.

Joined

2023

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

Cuba Burch Berner

Cuba Burch Berner is an Associate at M|C Partners, where he focuses on investment opportunities in digital infrastructure and technology services. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Cuba was an Equity Research Associate at Citi covering infrastructure companies within the telecommunications industry, including data centers and wireless towers. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in Economics from the University of Chicago. Cuba currently lives in Boston’s West End and enjoys  a myriad of outdoor activities including running, swimming, hiking, and skiing.

Joined

2022

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AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Ascend Technologies
Consortium Networks
C3 Integrated Solutions
SoniqWave

 

AccentHealth

AccentHealth operates an out-of-home advertising network that reaches over 12,000 physician office waiting areas in the U.S. – JOHN WATKINS

TEAM MEMBERS

SECTOR

IT SERVICES

James F. Wade

Jim Wade co-founded M/C Partners in 1986 with Dave Croll. He has been investing in communications and technology services since the advent of wireless and broadband, cornerstones of the firm’s sector focus. As Chairman, he manages the firm’s investment process, and continuously seeks out management teams, company prospects and financial resources to grow the portfolio. Jim’s successful track record includes MetroPCS (IPO), Lightower Holdings (acquired by Berkshire Partners), Cavalier Telephone (acquired by PAETEC), NuVox Communications (acquired by WindStream), Attenda (acquired by Darwin Private Equity), Melita (acquired by Apax Partners), PR Wireless (joint venture with Sprint affiliate in Puerto Rico), Thrive Networks (acquired/recapitalized by Court Square) and Involta (acquired by Carlyle Group). Today he serves as a director on the Board of Connectivity Wireless and has responsibility for Omega Wireless. Jim graduated from the University of Notre Dame a B.B.A in Finance and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives outside Boston with his wife and four children. Jim was an avid boater and is now an average golfer.

JOINED

1986

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS
Connectivity Wireless

 

Abhishek Rampuria

Abhishek (A.B.) is a Partner at M/C Partners, where he leads origination, deal diligence and portfolio company support for investments in a variety of communications and technology services segments. He currently serves on the Board of Ascend Technologies, Connectivity Wireless, Edafio Technology Partners, TowerCom and serves as a Board Observer for Thrive Networks. A.B. previously served as a Board Observer for Ensono (acquired by KKR) and QOS Networks (acquired by Zayo). Prior to joining M/C Partners in 2015, A.B. worked at Altman Solon (formerly Altman Vilandrie), a technology, media & telecommunications focused strategy consulting firm, where he completed projects for both operating companies and private equity investors. A.B. received a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He lives in Boston’s South End and outside of work, enjoys skiing, cycling, traveling and cheering on his home-town Patriots and Celtics.

Joined

2015

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Thrive Networks

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

Ascend Technologies
Connectivity Wireless
Edafio Technology Partners
TowerCom