Great Hill Partners to sell managed services provider Mission Cloud Services to CDW

Great Hill Partners, a leading private equity firm known for scaling high-growth companies, has announced the sale of Mission Cloud Services Inc. to CDW Corporation. This acquisition marks a strategic step for CDW as it strengthens its AWS managed services portfolio, particularly for businesses relying on cloud consulting solutions tailored to Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments.

Mission Cloud Services, recognised as the largest independent cloud services provider for AWS in the United States, delivers cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions, robust data protection services, and tailored machine learning applications. CDW Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed company, provides IT solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, and government in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Mission Cloud Services’ rapid ascent under Great Hill Partners

Founded in 2017 through a partnership between Great Hill Partners and Mission’s CEO Simon Anderson, Mission Cloud Services rapidly established itself as a leader in AWS managed services. Great Hill strategically acquired three technology companies from 2017 to 2019, significantly enhancing Mission’s standing as a premier cloud services provider. The private equity firm’s expertise in driving strategic business growth was pivotal in transforming Mission into a market leader within seven years.

Simon Anderson highlighted that the operational guidance and industry connections provided by Great Hill were instrumental in enabling Mission to offer innovative cloud consulting solutions and support its customers in embracing scalable technologies like machine learning applications.

Expert insights on the deal

Industry experts suggest that CDW Corporation’s acquisition of Mission represents a calculated move to strengthen its cloud consulting solutions portfolio. The addition of Mission’s expertise in AI-driven cloud innovations is expected to bolster CDW’s ability to address the increasing demand for comprehensive data protection services and transformative artificial intelligence solutions. Drew Loucks, Managing Director at Great Hill Partners, attributed Mission’s success to its team’s dedication, emphasising that the company is poised for continued expansion under CDW’s leadership.

Beyond the technology

Mission Cloud Services is recognised not only for its technical expertise but also for its focus on people and culture. The company has been consistently named one of the best places to work, thanks to its commitment to bridging the cloud skills gap and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These initiatives have fortified Mission’s reputation as a leading cloud services provider while also creating a strong talent pipeline to support its future growth.

A strategic alignment for future growth

The acquisition of Mission by CDW aligns the latter’s expansive customer base with Mission’s specialised AWS managed services expertise. This strategic partnership is expected to drive strategic business growth by accelerating the development of advanced machine learning applications and secure data protection services.

Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP acted as legal advisors to Mission Cloud Services, while Arma Partners served as financial advisors. Though financial terms were not disclosed, the deal underscores Great Hill Partners’ ability to scale businesses rapidly for high-value exits. The sale also highlights the growing importance of cloud consulting solutions in the modern business landscape.