The first strategic acquisition with Ascend as Mainline’s exclusive buy-side advisor bolsters the company’s ability to deliver cloud, IT automation, and DevSecOps solutions and expands its footprint into Asia.
TYSONS, VA (March 1, 2023) – Ascend Capital Group (“Ascend”) is pleased to announce its most recent transaction in the IT Services & Consulting space. Ascend served as the exclusive buy-side advisor to Mainline Information Systems, Inc. (“Mainline”), a leading national provider of IT solutions and services, on its acquisition of Axcelinno, LLC (“Axcelinno”).
Mainline and Axcelinno have enjoyed a business relationship since 2020, successfully partnering to deliver cloud and automation solutions to customers. Their complementary offerings include industry-leading IBM and Red Hat technology, allowing customers to deploy applications on premises — in the cloud or with a hybrid model. Axcelinno will operate seamlessly with Mainline’s sales and services organizations to provide consulting, implementation, and managed services, helping clients architect and deploy IT modernization solutions in an agile and secure manner.
Farhan Hussain, Founder and Owner of Axcelinno, will lead Mainline’s Hybrid Cloud, Automation, and DevSecOps practice. “We are excited about the future of the combined companies and the ability to further help clients modernize their IT infrastructure to accelerate innovation and digital transformation. Our synergy has already proven to be successful, translating to increased value and accelerated success for our customers.”
Hussain will work under the executive direction of Jeff Dobbelaere, Mainline’s Chief Executive Officer, who commented, “As we work with our clients to help them modernize their IT environments, three initiatives are high on their lists — efficiently utilizing cloud, automating processes, and mitigating risks. The acquisition will enable us to deliver more robust modernization solutions targeted at those three critical needs.”
With Ascend as its exclusive buy-side advisor, Mainline is executing an aggressive growth strategy to expand and diversify its services and broaden its footprint into strategic, high-growth markets. Axcelinno will expand Mainline’s services offerings in hybrid cloud, IT automation, and DevSecOps, helping its customers deliver more robust, secure, and efficient applications and IT platforms while also introducing Mainline’s presence into Asia.
“Ascend’s expertise in buy-side advisory has been evident from the start and was underscored as we worked on this first acquisition together,” added Dobbelaere on his experience working with Ascend. “The team brings not only the analytical and programmatic rigor necessary for an efficient and effective strategy but also a focus on relationship building and the ability to think outside the transaction to the people behind it. Axcelinno was a valued relationship of ours before we even discussed a possible transaction. Ascend understood the complexities on both sides, helping us navigate the process and ultimately achieve the best outcome for all.”
Director at Ascend Thien Van Tran said, “Every ‘side’ of the relationship in a transaction is important, and this is the perfect example of a win-win-win scenario. Mainline adds an industry-leading business to build on its already robust platform, and Axcelinno gains a perfect partner as the business takes that next step. And most importantly, both companies’ customers benefit from the synergies created by the partnership. We are thrilled for both teams and look forward to continuing to develop future relationships for Mainline that lead to similar success stories.”
Mainline is currently pursuing strategic acquisitions and partnerships with innovative, industry-leading IT services companies with a solid track record of success. Please contact Thien Van Tran at thien@ascendcg.com to learn more.
This acquisition was effective January 27, 2023.
