Ottawa-based IT firm Grade A merges with Convergence Networks of Portland, Ore.
The integrated company will combine personalized local IT support with an expanded solution offering
Grade A, an Ottawa-based managed services provider (MSP), announced on Dec. 2 that it will join forces with Portland, Ore.-based MSP and cybersecurity firm Convergence Networks.
The merger will be done in partnership with private equity firm Riverside Partners and will see the companies combine their leadership teams and staff with headquarters in both Ottawa and Portland. The work will be helmed by Grade A CEO Mat Lafrance and Convergence Networks CEO Eric Gray, and it will bring together two award-winning leaders in their respective local markets and formalize a long and fruitful relationship between like-minded peers.
“We have known Eric and the rest of the Convergence team for over 10 years,” said Lafrance. “Combining is a natural extension of the informal collaboration we have enjoyed together over the years.”
Grade A and Convergence Networks have built their reputation on a people-first approach to building businesses that combine exceptional IT service with a positive, empowering employee culture. The new venture will continue to help small and medium-sized businesses maximize their IT investments with local, personalized support while giving them access to expanded offerings, greater time zone coverage and a deeper bench of IT and cybersecurity expertise.
At the heart of both companies’ success is the belief that talented, engaged and empowered employees are a business’s best asset. “From the beginning,” Lafrance noted, “Grade A was founded on a passion for working with exceptionally talented people who enjoy being able to solve technical challenges for our clients to help move their businesses forward.”
Lafrance added that giving his clients a rich path forward has always meant aligning Grade A’s efforts with companies who share similar values, and he’s thrilled to be working with like-minded organizations like Convergence Networks and Riverside Partners.
Gray further underscored the benefits of working with kindred spirits, noting that Convergence Network’s leadership team carefully considered the merger by looking closely at the companies’ similarities.
“Both organizations share our values and goals, they believe in a people-first culture that provides an exceptional customer service experience with a security-focused mindset that both helps our clients achieve their business goals and our team members advance in their careers.”
He added that the timing of the move is somewhat surprising but that its benefits are indisputable.
“If you had told me going into a COVID lockdown in March of this year would have resulted in a merger and an investment partner before year-end, I would have said you were crazy. Funny how things like this happen at the most unexpected times,” he said.
Convergence Networks and Grade A were represented in this transaction by martinwolf ’s LMM Group, a leading M&A advisory firm serving the middle-market IT industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
ABOUT CONVERGENCE NETWORKS
Convergence Networks is an award-winning managed IT service provider based in Portland, Ore., together with its sister company Luminant Security, which provides managed cybersecurity services. With 20 years of success, it is focused on attracting talented and passionate people who work with their SMB clients as strategic partners to drive results. They offer a full spectrum of solutions covering cybersecurity, strategic planning, end use support, cloud and hardware. For more information, please visit www.convergencenetworks.com and www.luminantsecurity.com.
ABOUT GRADE A
Grade A is an award-winning, industry-leading managed IT services provider headquartered in Ottawa. Operating for over 18 years, it specializes in providing personalized IT support for SMBs across a number of industries. Grade A offers IT solutions that encompass all business needs, including strategic IT planning and consulting, end user support, cloud solutions, managed hardware and professionally managed project-based services. For more information, visit www. gradea.ca.
ABOUT RIVERSIDE PARTNERS
Founded in 1989, Riverside Partners is a middle-market private equity firm with total capital commitments of $1.6 billion raised since inception. The firm focuses on growth-oriented companies in the technology and health care industries. Riverside Partners is particularly experienced at partnering with founders, owners and management teams, and it brings substantial domain expertise and operating experience to its portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.riversidepartners.com.