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TelcoSwitch and Charterhouse expanding through acquisition
Both firms have already been in the headlines this month thanks to funding rounds and acquisitions
Just a couple of weeks after landing £4m growth capital funding, unified comms (UC) specialist TelcoSwitch has made an acquisition.
Earlier this month, the firm made it clear it would be using some of the millions it raised through a combination working with Boost&Co and existing investors to underpin merger and acquisition (M&A) aspirations.
It has been quick to act on that ambition, by picking up the OneVoice cloud-based hosted telephony platform from Worcester-based Qunifi for an undisclosed sum. As part of the transaction, OneVoice resellers will migrate to TelcoSwitch.
OneVoice is an open-source cloud telephony platform with a particular focus around hospitality, and proprietary integration with Microsoft Teams.
“This is a strategic acquisition for TelcoSwitch that adds a technology footprint along with a healthy base of channel partners,” said Russell Lux, CEO of TelcoSwitch. “Those partners benefit not only from our commitment to the OneVoice platform, but also gain access to the full suite of TelcoSwitch products and services, enabling them to further add value to their customers.”
Paul Landsman, chief financial officer of TelcoSwitch, said the acquisition was the first following the £4m investment, and part of the plans to expand the business.
“The focus of securing growth funding was to aggressively scale up our recruitment efforts while acquiring solutions and companies that align with the growth strategy of the TelcoSwitch Group,” he said. “This acquisition is one of our first steps towards that.”
Pentesec deal
Meanwhile, another serial acquirer, Charterhouse, has struck its third deal of the year so far, picking up security player Pentesec.
The London-based UC and cyber security player made a double acquisition in the first working week of 2021, adding Symity and Digital Exchange Products (DXP).
The firm is on a buy-and-build strategy, backed by August Equity since late 2018, and has so far also added NETConnection Systems in December 2019 before Lloyds IP in early 2020.
Pentesec offers a managed security platform and comes with 36 staff. The purchase should add more depth to Charterhouse’s cyber security offering.
“We’re thrilled to now have Pentesec as part of the Charterhouse family, and to be adding their team and expertise to our portfolio, thus allowing us to provide a more extensive offering to our customers,” said Mark Brooks-Wadham, Charterhouse CEO.
In response, Ian Turnball, Pentesec founder, said that becoming part of a larger group would have its advantages.
“We are excited to now be able to offer our customers an increased portfolio, with additional skills, a wider geographic coverage and a larger team of people to support them,” he said.
