Investment type
- Management buyout
Giacom is a specialist cloud services marketplace which provides cloud services to SMEs via the Information Technology Consultants (‘ITCs’) community. It is the UK’s largest independent cloud portal, with a highly specialised and large-scale distribution platform. Its cloud platform services over 70,000 end-user SMEs and over 1 million individual licenses, via its 3,400 ITC clients.
Founded in Hull in 1999 as an internet service provider, Giacom now offers a one-stop platform for all the cloud software, infrastructure and IT support services that an ITC might require to transition an SME client into a public or private cloud environment, and then manage them on an ongoing basis.
Backing management
We backed the management buyout of Giacom in May 2016 to help the business consolidate its market-leading position and capitalise on the increasing demand for cloud-based solutions among the micro-SME market.
LDC helped Founder Nick Marshall strengthen his management team with three senior director appointments.
Our partnership with LDC has been pivotal in our growth journey. With the team’s strategic support and financial backing, we have not only been able to take advantage of increased market demand for cloud services, but continually invest in our offering and recruit the best talent.”
During our partnership, the business also invested in its proprietary technology platform to launch the Giacom Cloud MarketTM, which enables IT consultants to sell and license cloud services more easily and expanded its product portfolio with complementary products such as cybersecurity software BitDefender and hosted voice technology provider TalkTalk Business.
Ongoing support
In November 2017 LDC completed the sale of Giacom to Livingbridge. As part of the deal, LDC reinvested for a minority stake as it continues to support Giacom’s ongoing growth strategy.
2020 saw Giacom recognised in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in its fourth consecutive year. Since LDC’s original investment in 2016 the business has increased turnover from £6.6m to more than £35m.
In November 2020, following a four year partnership, LDC successfully exited its minority shareholding in Giacom to Digital Wholesale Solutions, an independent communications, IT and cloud services provider to the Channel.
Awards
Northern Tech Awards Top 100
2019
The Sunday Times Tech Track 100
2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
Large Company Management Team of the Year
Giacom – BVCA Yorkshire & North East Management Team Awards 2018