Unitas Global, Fresh Off PE Investment, Acquires INAP Network Business

Unitas Global is buying the INAP network business in a deal that expands its expertise and customer base.

Unitas Global’s Patrick Shut

The deal, for which Unitas did not disclose financial details, brings together INAP’s intelligent routing software, Unitas’ design and pricing platform, and Unitas’ global network. “Thousands” of enterprises now join Unitas’ customer base as a result.

“We are thrilled to have completed the acquisition of INAP’s Network Business and excited to welcome their customers, vendors and employees to the Unitas Global team,” Unitas Global CEO Patrick Shutt said.

Unitas chief technology officer Grant Kirkwood said the provider aims to lead the market in “redefining an agile hybrid cloud for the enterprise.”

Unitas Global’s Grant Kirkwood

“The disruptive nature of Unitas’ networking services strategy that enables hybrid cloud environments has become increasingly self-evident in the market,” Kirkwood said.

@UnitasGlobal made a big move today… super proud and excited for the future. https://t.co/toDwIr6oAL

— Grant Kirkwood (@prolixity) May 9, 2022

“The transaction is a true win-win for everyone involved. Unitas Global will continue to provide the high-quality services that customers enjoy today while investing in new solutions to enable further network transformation tomorrow,” INAP CEO Mike Sicoli said. “We also look forward to partnering with Unitas Global to bring an expanded portfolio of connectivity offerings to our colocation and cloud customers.”

INAP’s Michael Sicoli

INAP now functions as a strategic Unitas Global customer. Virginia-based INAP will still offer connectivity, colocation and cloud solutions, leveraging Unitas’ recently signed PacketFabric partnership.

Background

Unitas, a two-time MSP 501 awardee, in February 2021 launched a software-defined network. Unitas Reach touches 900 data centers and 30 million business locations. The managed network services provider also in 2021 launched a marketplace for cloud-connecting enterprise edge locations.

Private equity firm Digital Alpha Advisors in April completed its acquisition of Unitas’ connectivity division.

“The global data networking marketplace offers a significant opportunity for companies with the vision and the capability to enable critical end-to-everywhere services,” Digital Alpha managing partner Rick Shrotr said. “We look forward to adding Unitas Global’s Connectivity Business assets to our portfolio and building on its already strong foundation.”

Privately held Unitas launched in 2011. On the other hand, INAP, better known as Internap, is a publicly traded company that was founded in 1996.

INAP exited chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, having cut more than $160 million in debt.