Virtual1, a London-based cloud and connectivity service provider, has secured a GBP10 million investment from BGF (Business Growth Fund) as it continues to pursue its growth strategy.
Virtual1 delivers cloud and connectivity services to the wholesale market, aggregating its own London-based network with networks from other carriers onto a single scalable platform.
Founded in 2007 by CEO Tom O’Hagan, Virtual1 featured in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 for three consecutive years and generated revenue close to GBP18 million in 2015/16.
BGF’s funding will be used by the company to invest in additional network infrastructure, and supports its longer-term growth plans.
Steve Scott, former COO of Bridgehouse Capital, will continue to be Virtual1’s non-executive chairman, and Phil Male, formerly chief strategy officer at Cable & Wireless, will join the board as non-executive director following an introduction by BGF.
During the past year, Virtual1 has strengthened its senior team with the appointments of Jim Sewell, former group sales and marketing director at Alternative Networks, as a non-executive board member and Magnus Batsvik-Miller as chief financial officer. Most recently Batsvik-Miller was group finance director at World First.
O’Hagan says: “The funding provided by BGF allows us to accelerate our expansion strategy whilst retaining control of the business. We are excited about embarking on the next phase of growth to further cement Virtual1’s position as a leading wholesale provider.”
Chris Hodges, an investor at BGF who has joined the board of Virtual1, says: “Virtual1 is one of the most exciting and innovative telecoms companies in the UK, led by a strong and ambitious leadership team and growing fast. We are delighted to be supporting Tom and his team as they continue to capitalise on the increasing demands for cloud and connectivity solutions in the wholesale market.”
The investment in Virtual1 was led by BGF’s Chris Hodges, George Tsangarides, Thomas McDonnell and Michelle Wilk.
BGF has invested more than GBP1 billion in UK small and mid-sized companies, including unified business communications providers Olive Communications and Maintel, both of which are Virtual1 customers.
