In a strategic move to expand its digital infrastructure platform, Upstack has acquired the telecom agency services division of CA Communications Inc., a Minnesota-based company. Financial information about the deal was not disclosed.
This is technology M&A deal number 55 that ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert have covered so far in 2024. See more than 2,000 technology M&A deals for 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 listed here.
Upstack, founded in 2017, is based in New York. The company has 171 associated members listed on LinkedIn. Upstack's areas of expertise include colocation and data centers, network connectivity and unified communications.
CA Communications, founded in 2002, is based in Minnetonka, Minnissota. The company has two employees listed on LinkedIn. CA Communications’ areas of expertise include managed services, IT consulting, voice / data procurement, telecom equipment, cloud, carrier services, and security.
Integration and Vision
Under the terms of the acquisition, CA Communications' agency business will now operate under the Upstack brand, with key CA personnel, including founder, president, and CEO Marc Agar, continuing to support operations.
Agar will also join Upstack as a partner while maintaining his role as CA’s chief executive, the companies announced.
Upstack and CA Communications say they will collaborate to provide enhanced resources and support for the telecom agency's operations, leveraging Upstack's platform to drive greater value for customers.
Upstack Acquires CA Communications: Executive Insight
Christopher Trapp, Founder and CEO, UPSTACK, commented:
"Marc Agar can only be described as forward-looking. He is one of the few entrepreneurs to successfully build a telecom agency and a hardware VAR in tandem. In 2006, he was also one of the first agents to understand and embrace the value distribution in technology services. Today, we share a vision for the future of our industry that combines deep expertise, proven processes and technology enablement into a powerful platform that drives greater value for our customers. I’m excited to welcome Marc to the UPSTACK team."
Marc Agar reflected on the partnership with UPSTACK:
"With UPSTACK, we have a partner we can grow with dramatically. Our customers will have access to more resources and the collective mindshare of over 200 technical experts they can tap into to solve any telecommunications need."
Upstack’s Acquisition Growth
Upstack is no stranger to M&A, having made half-a-dozen acquisitions since last year. Among the deals ChannelE2E has tracked are:
- Strategic Telecom Partners, a technology services advisory firm based in Overland Park, Kansas.
- Progressive Communications Management (PCM), a technology services advisory firm
- Network One Solutions, a cloud, communications and technology solutions consulting firm
- Sidepath Global, a telecom services provider
- Signal Technology Group, a telecom services and IT hardware provider
- The Monaco Group (TMG), a network, cloud, communications and security solutions provider
Upstack offers digital transformation solutions to help organizations enhance and accelerate their IT infrastructure. The company has reported nearly 2,900 successful customer engagements.
