Dublin-based UC provider Blueface and North America's Star2Star, a hybrid cloud comms company, have completed a $500m merger that positions the enlarged company as a new global UC powerhouse employing 500-plus staff. The group will be known as StarBlue but the merged companies will retain their existing trading names in their respective US and EMEA markets.
Blueface CEO Alan Foy (pictured) becomes CEO of Star2Star and Group CEO of StarBlue; while Star2Star CEO Norman Worthington becomes Executive Chairman of Star2Star; and Nameer Kazzaz, currently CTO at Blueface now assumes the Group Co-CTO role for the merged company along with Sergey Galchenko of Star2Star.
Brian Martin, currently General Manager, Blueface, becomes Senior Vice President for Blueface EMEA and is responsibile for sales and operations across Europe.
Foy said: "The merger of Blueface and Star2Star combines proprietary UCaaS technology with an expansive geographic distribution, capability and reach. For now, it is business as usual and there will be no change in branding or in the preservation of vital relationships with our partners and customers.
"In the not too distant future we shall bring enhanced offerings across a full spectrum of products to our partners and customers and to the wider market."
Worthington added: "The merger is a fine example of how two businesses with a similar entrepreneurial culture can work together to challenge the UC marketplace."
In March 2017, the BDO Development Capital Fund announced a €10m investment in Blueface to accelerate its international expansion plans. Following the merger the Fund has now exited the business.
Andrew Bourg, Head of Investments of the BDO Development Capital Fund, stated: "We supported Blueface's goal of becoming a significant international player in its chosen market segments. It is satisfying to see this significant international development by an Irish company."