Telarus, ‘Largest in the Channel,’ Acquires TelAdvocate

Telarus deepened its claim as the largest technology solutions brokerage in the channel with the acquisition of Tampa, Florida-based TelAdvocate Communications.

Utah-based Telarus, which received an equity investment from Columbia Capital almost two years ago, announced that it is buying TelAdvocate for an undisclosed sum. The deal marks Telarus’ second acquisition in 2022. A different Florida-based TSB joined the family back in June in the form of TCG.

Telarus executives said their company remains the largest of its peers in terms of new monthly bookings and revenue. TelAdvocate only adds to the size with its base of agent, MSP and VAR partners.

Telarus’ Dan Foster

“With TelAdvocate’s extended reach in their markets and our unique services, patented software tools, and advanced solution offerings, we will continue to raise the bar and deliver high-touch, personalized service that partners have come to expect from us,” Telarus chief revenue officer Dan Foster said.

On the other hand, TelAdvocate agents get access to the software and additional resources at Telarus. That includes Telarus’ technology assessment suite and engineering teams.

Mike Boland

“The synergy between our two companies is pretty amazing,” TelAdvocate president Michael Boland. “When you look at culture, supplier portfolios, geographies served, and our respective partner support structures, it is clear just how complementary our companies are. I’d like to thank our employees, sales agents and customers. They are the reason we’ve had success. Telarus takes what we’ve accomplished to another level.”

TelAdvocate and Telarus have partnered with each other in the past. For example, TelAdvocate landed in Telarus’ list of top 10 partners in 2015.

The TSB (also known as tech services distributor) space is undergoing rapid consolidation. Telarus’ Chicago-based rival, Avant, recently purchased Arizona-based PlanetOne.

Background

Boland founded TelAdvocate in 2006 after working for more than a decade on the carrier side. His past employers included Allnet, Qwest and Verizon.

Telarus’ Adam Edwards

Haulk said TelAdvocate consecutively grew by double digits each year for the last 17 years. The company won Spectrum’s Agent of the Year award in 2020.

TelAdvocate’s Tyler Haulk

Telarus CEO Adam Edwards welcomed TelAdvocate employees and partners in a statement.

“Michael Boland and his leadership team have a legacy of achieving admirable growth for their business and enabling their partners to reach their goals, especially related to MSPs, VARs and independent telecom agents, another area of strategic growth and investment for us,” Edwards said.

Tyler Haulk joined TelAdvocate as president and partner in 2014.

“With thousands of sales agents and clients, we either had to build a platform or find a partner that had the technology and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of our sales partners and customers. Telarus, without a doubt, has the best platform in the business,” Haulk said.

Past Telarus acquisitions include VXsuite (2015), CarrierSales(2017), Chorus Communications (2021), Comtel Communications (2021) and TCG (2022).