Advisory Firm ChaseTek Agrees to Upstack Acquisition

Private equity-backed Upstack just added to its list of acquisitions with high-powered agency ChaseTek.

Upstack announced on Tuesday that it has purchased the Dublin, Ohio-based consultancy for an undisclosed sum. The deal represents the latest in a series of 20-plus purchases Upstack has made using an equity investment from Berkshire Partners and financing from two other groups.

The acquisition makes ChaseTek president Chris Wolfe and vice president Michael Marlowe Upstack partners and managing directors. Their company’s website reads “ChaseTek, an Upstack company.” In addition, the eight technology specialists who work for the agency have moved to Upstack.

ChaseTek’s Chris Wolfe

The 19-year-old company has more than 3,000 customers, and it focuses on multilocation organizations. It consults these clients about technologies like UCaaS, cybersecurity, network and CCaaS, and it also procures and supports those offerings. ChaseTek’s vertical focuses are manufacturing, financial services, retail and health care.

Upstack’s Christopher Trapp

“ChaseTek has grown into a reputable and respected technology infrastructure advisory firm by filling a void in the market for expert advice paired with managed services,” said Upstack founder and CEO Christopher Trapp said. “Their model aligns perfectly with our own, and we’re excited to welcome Chris, Michael and team to Upstack.”

Background

Chris Wolfe founded ChaseTek in 2003. The company says Wolfe saw demand for a technology advising business that combined sourcing with project management and help desk support. Marlowe, who had worked in consulting, investment and accounting, joined ChaseTek in 2017. He helped the firm formalize its consulting efforts.

ChaseTek’s Michael Marlowe

“While our technology solution set has changed, our core value proposition has remained the same,” Wolfe said. “We ensure that provider promises are kept and that clients realize the value of their technology infrastructure from contract signing onward.”

Marlowe said joining Upstack gives ChaseTek customers more resources. For example, ChaseTek can tap into more support assets.

“We broaden capabilities and move to where the market is going. Our footprint now grows into new options and resources, while preserving the ones we’ve always had,” Michael Marlowe told Channel Futures.

Wolfe agreed.

“Our combined entity is now more than 6,000-plus clients at over 15,000 physical locations and growing. With that kind of footprint, our additional options and expertise grows as well,” Wolfe said.

ChaseTek earlier this month landed in Telarus’ Saphire partner tier for driving $1 million in total billed revenue with the tech solutions brokerage.

Upstack has been expanding both its agent base, its employees and its technology portfolio. This year the company has announced multiple supplier agreements, including with CallTower, Net2Phone and Lumen.