Zayo Group to Acquire QOS Networks From M/C Partners

January 13, 2022

Zayo Group to Acquire QOS Networks From M/C Partners

January 12, 2022

BOULDER, Colorado

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., a leading global provider of fiber-based communications solutions, today announced the acquisition of QOS Networks, the preeminent provider of SD-WAN and edge managed services, from majority owner M/C Partners.

“As we begin our next phase of growth with Zayo, QOS Networks will continue to focus on driving highly automated SD-WAN solutions for enterprise customers”Tweet this

QOS Networks offers a market-leading SD-WAN and global network management solution for large enterprises. QOS uses an AIops-driven network operations platform and proactive network management to deliver the full potential of SD-WAN. As a division of Zayo, the QOS brand will be retained and CEO Frank Cittadino will take on the role of SVP of Edge Services for Zayo.

“As we begin our next phase of growth with Zayo, QOS Networks will continue to focus on driving highly automated SD-WAN solutions for enterprise customers,” said Cittadino. “M/C Partners played a pivotal role in our growth and maturity in helping establish QOS Networks as a leading SDWAN service provider. Throughout our partnership with M/C Partners, Travis Keller and team stayed focused on enabling the management team while challenging us to drive the transformative solutions which was the support that drove QOS Networks to a great outcome.”

M/C Partners invested in QOS Networks in September 2020. Since then, under the leadership of Cittadino, QOS has expanded its leadership team, adding a new Chief Revenue Officer Chris Nein and Chief Operating Officer Tyler Nau.

“It has been a pleasure working with the QOS team and we are thrilled with this outcome,” said M/C Partners Partner Travis Keller. “Together, Frank and team deliver a powerful business vision, operational excellence and market leading technology. It was not surprising that this captured the attention of Zayo and proved to be a great fit with their strategy.”

The acquisition positions Zayo as a premier provider of edge network services – bringing together global fiber infrastructure reach with a leading network services offer from QOS.

Financial details were not disclosed. M/C Partners is also a founding investor in Zayo.

About Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 126,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, dedicated internet access and data center connectivity solutions. Zayo owns and operates a Tier 1 IP backbone and through its CloudLink service, Zayo provides low-latency private connectivity that attaches enterprises to their public cloud environments. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises. For more information, visit https://zayo.com.

About QOS Networks
QOS Networks is the leading managed service provider helping companies through their digital transformation. At its core, QOS provides the world’s best quality of service to empower IT teams and Lines of Business to be highly productive with complete solutions from edge to cloud. Headquartered in Irvine, California, QOS turns network data into actionable insights through advanced monitoring, analytics, and management – enabled by automation and AI – so customers can proactively discover opportunities that will strengthen their organization. For more information, please visit: qosnetworks.com.

About M/C Partners
M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused on small and mid-size businesses in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. For more than three decades M/C Partners has invested $2.4 billion of capital in over 140 companies, leveraging its deep industry expertise to understand long-term secular trends and identify growth opportunities. The firm is currently investing its eighth fund, partnering with promising companies and leadership teams to support, scale, and improve operations and maximize value. For more information, visit https://mcpartners.com.

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Julie Bishop
Walker Communications
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ORIGINAL SOURCE: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112006031/en/Zayo-Group-to-Acquire-QOS-Networks-From-MC-Partners

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.

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2023

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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

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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.

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2023

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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