Global enterprise messaging solution provider United Messaging announced Tuesday (Nov 28) that it has closed $70 million in equity financing from an investment consortium led by Broadview Capital Partners, a leading M&A advisor and private equity investor focused exclusively on the IT, communications and media industries.
“It is a testament to United Messaging’s targeted business model and strong management team that we were able to attract such impressive interest from a number of world leading investment groups, particularly in today’s technology and services market,” said Robert F. Jones, United Messaging president and CEO.
United Messaging will use the funding to expand service platforms and market penetration in the US and internationally, as well as to support the launch and promotion of a variety of existing and upcoming messaging technologies and services. The company will also use this capital infusion to continue its rapid global expansion, including opening new sales offices in Europe and Asia and enhancing its operations infrastructure.
Joining Broadview Capital Partners are new investors First Union Capital Partners (NYSE:FTU), Comcast Interactive Capital and Brinson Partners. All previous United Messaging investors – including Internet Capital Group (NASDAQ:ICGE), Oak Investment Partners, Infinity Capital and Labrador Ventures – have also participated in this round.
United Messaging combines the benefits of managed and professional services outsourcing with the efficiency and affordability of the ASP model to deliver messaging and collaboration solutions to enterprises worldwide.
The announcement comes during a period of substantial growth in which United Messaging has surpassed its global objectives in several key areas; including revenue, client base, personnel, product development and geographic expansion. Revenue increased for the first 10 months of 2000 in excess of 1,500 percent compared to total revenue from 1999. During the same period the company experienced a substantial increase in its enterprise client base – from 7 to 89.
United Messaging offers managed services that include email hosting for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes/Domino, iPlanet Message Control, email firewall services, eLink wireless messaging, security management, directory hosting and synchronization. Professional services include architecture review, migration services, implementation of new messaging platforms and email policy development.
Headquartered in West Chester, PA with facilities across the U.S. and in Europe, United Messaging is a business partner of Dell, iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, Lotus and Microsoft.
