Key Takeaways
- • CloudFirst, a Renovus Capital Partners portfolio company, has acquired the IT and cyber managed-services practice of Forvis Mazars, expanding its capability in Microsoft Azure, cybersecurity, and formal service desk operations.
- • The acquisition brings Ben Doane from Forvis Mazars' practice to CloudFirst as senior vice president of cybersecurity, adding specialized talent to the platform.
- • CloudFirst's service portfolio now encompasses hosted infrastructure (IBM i, AIX, Linux, Windows workloads), data backup, disaster recovery, day-to-day IT support, and enhanced cybersecurity offerings through the combined entity.
- • Renovus Capital Partners, which manages more than $2 billion and focuses on lower middle market investments in knowledge and talent industries, continues to build out its managed services and IT infrastructure platform through strategic acquisitions.
- • CEO Wayne Kiphart indicated the deal materially expands CloudFirst's addressable market and range of client problems the company can service across enterprise IT management and security.
Summary
CloudFirst, a portfolio company under Renovus Capital Partners, has closed its acquisition of the IT and cyber managed-services practice from Forvis Mazars, an accounting and advisory firm. The deal represents a strategic expansion for CloudFirst, a Melville, New York-based managed services provider that hosts, secures, and operates business-critical computer systems for its clients across multiple platforms including IBM i, AIX, Linux, and Windows environments.
The acquired practice strengthens CloudFirst's competitive position in two critical areas: cloud infrastructure capabilities, specifically Microsoft Azure services, and advanced cybersecurity offerings. The transaction also introduces a formal service desk operation to CloudFirst's existing portfolio, which previously included data backup, disaster recovery, and day-to-day IT support services. Ben Doane, a senior leader from Forvis Mazars' practice, has joined CloudFirst as senior vice president of cybersecurity, bringing domain expertise and client relationships to the combined entity.
According to CloudFirst CEO Wayne Kiphart, the acquisition meaningfully expands the company's serviceable addressable market and enables the platform to address a broader range of client problems and operational needs. The move aligns with Renovus Capital Partners' investment thesis in the lower middle market, particularly in knowledge and talent-intensive sectors. Renovus, founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Philadelphia area, manages more than $2 billion in assets and specializes in building scaled platforms through organic growth and strategic acquisitions within specialized services and IT infrastructure segments.
The acquired practice strengthens CloudFirst's competitive position in two critical areas: cloud infrastructure capabilities, specifically Microsoft Azure services, and advanced cybersecurity offerings. The transaction also introduces a formal service desk operation to CloudFirst's existing portfolio, which previously included data backup, disaster recovery, and day-to-day IT support services. Ben Doane, a senior leader from Forvis Mazars' practice, has joined CloudFirst as senior vice president of cybersecurity, bringing domain expertise and client relationships to the combined entity.
According to CloudFirst CEO Wayne Kiphart, the acquisition meaningfully expands the company's serviceable addressable market and enables the platform to address a broader range of client problems and operational needs. The move aligns with Renovus Capital Partners' investment thesis in the lower middle market, particularly in knowledge and talent-intensive sectors. Renovus, founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Philadelphia area, manages more than $2 billion in assets and specializes in building scaled platforms through organic growth and strategic acquisitions within specialized services and IT infrastructure segments.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.