Level Platforms’ Peter Sandiford Exits AVG

Level Platforms Founder Peter Sandiford has exited the business, which AVG Technologies acquired last year, MSPmentor has learned. Sandiford is a managed services industry pioneer who helped to rally vendors and transform VARs into recurring revenue machines.

In an internal email viewed by MSPmentor, Sandiford wrote:

Today you are leaders in a young industry that is transforming the way millions of small businesses experience IT.  The 10 years that it took to get here have seen their share of late nights and daunting challenges, but also great accomplishments, proud moments and fun times as we built a reputation that was second to none.   Last year it was clear to me that we needed the resources, global reach and strategic motivation of a larger business to drive our business to global leadership.

With the increasing convergence of IT security and performance, AVG was at the top of my list so I was very happy to announce the acquisition 6 months ago.  Their continued investment and unwavering commitment since then has made it clear that we made the right choice and that the future of the technology and the team is bright.

You are all extraordinarily positioned for great personal growth and success as we enter the next stage of rapid growth under AVG leadership.  While I am moving on to new adventures I will be watching the continued development of what was just a dream 10 years ago with eager anticipation.  I wish all of you the very best and thank everyone for the warm friendships that I am sure will continue well into the future.

Peter
 

Sandiford’s MSP Legacy

In addition to building Level Platforms, Sandiford also championed MSP Partners — a vendor-led group that educated VARs and resellers about the MSP opportunity and transformation steps. CompTIA, the channel-focused association, acquired MSP Partners in 2009.

Level Platforms itself gained critical mass with MSPs focused on SMB customers. But competition has intensified in recent years, and many rivals have also been acquired or backed by powerful, well-funded parents. Examples include Insight Venture Partners acquiring Kaseya; SolarWinds buying N-able Technologies, Summit Partners acquiring Continuum; and ConnectWise investing in LabTech Software.

Level Platforms is now branded as AVG Managed Workplace. The product team has undergone staff changes in recent months, with recruits from Dell’s former PacketTrap team and N-able joining in recent months.

We’ll be watching, meanwhile, to see where Sandiford potentially surfaces next.