Channel investors, Content, MSSP

MSP, MSSP Merger: Ascend Technologies, Infogressive Join Forces

Ascend Technologies, a Chicago-based managed IT services provider, and MSSP Infogressive are merging their operations, according to a prepared statement. The merger was backed by private equity firm M/C Partners.

Ascend is a Top 100 Vertical Market MSP and Infogressive is a Top 200 MSSP, according to ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert research, respectively.

This is M&A deal 293 that MSSP Alert and sister site ChannelE2E has covered so far in 2020. See the complete M&A deal list here.

Together, Ascend and Infogressive will extend and grow their operations in the cloud and cybersecurity markets, the companies stated. They also will employ over 150 technical and security professionals in the United States.

The deal was facilitated by IT ExchangeNet (ITX), a mid-market M&A firm specializing in the sale of MSSPs, MSPs, and Microsoft channel partners.

Ascend and Infogressive Merge: Service Provider Details

Infogressive CEO Justin Kallhoff
Infogressive CEO Justin Kallhoff

Ascend provides a variety of managed services, including:

  • Application Management: Conducts application health checks, maintenance and release management, along with ongoing app development.
  • Cloud and Infrastructure Management: Tracks IT infrastructure status and offers event notification, tracking and response.
  • Service Desk Management: Manages endpoints and mobile devices and troubleshoots operating system issues.

Infogressive is an MSSP security operations center-as-a-service (SOCaaS) provider. To date, Infogressive's services have resulted in no security breaches that caused data loss, the company indicated. CEO Justin Kallhoff is a cyber thought leader who has influenced MSSP Alert's coverage and perspectives since our site's launch in 2016.

M&A Deals in 2020: What You Need to Know

Along with Infogressive, other cybersecurity companies recently involved in M&A deals include:

There have been at least 36 M&A deals involving cybersecurity companies in 2020. Factors that may be driving these deals include a cybersecurity skills shortage, an evolving cyber threat landscape and the rising demand for managed security services globally.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.