Stone-Goff Partners Announces Investment in The Channel Company

Partnership With The Channel Company Will Accelerate Growth and New Initiatives

NEW YORK, December 7, 2016 – Stone-Goff Partners announced today that it has invested in The Channel Company (“TCC”), the leading provider of IT channel-related media, events and other marketing solutions to the IT channel. The investment will support several new initiatives in terms of growth in research, data, managed marketing services as well as opportunistic acquisitions of competitively-positioned industry participants.

Founded in 1982, Boston-based TCC is an IT channel-focused B2B marketing platform enabling technology companies to target and reach their channel partners. The company’s deep management team currently leads more than 100 employees focused on servicing its blue-chip customer base of over 400 technology companies and channel partners. TCC leverages its primary media outlet, www.crn.com, and its proprietary database with the largest and most accurate set of data regarding channel relationships in North America, to provide comprehensive IT channel marketing services.

Today, IT industry executives estimate that 70%+ of all technology sold into the corporate enterprise market in the Americas is facilitated by an IT channel partner. Through its media offerings, live events, consulting, proprietary research and managed marketing services, TCC helps its customers optimize their channel marketing strategy and drive new revenue through the indirect sales channel.

“We are thrilled to have found what we believe is a great partner in Stone-Goff,” said TCC CEO Robert Faletra. “We are growing so fast we had the luxury of looking for a partner that not only understands the business, but is clear in understanding how we can accelerate the buildout of our offerings and delight our customers,” Faletra noted.

“We are excited to partner with Bob and his team to enhance TCC’s fast growing service offerings through leveraging the Company’s dominant brand and proprietary database,” said Hannah Stone Craven, co-founder of Stone-Goff Partners. “The company’s depth of talent and expertise within the IT channel and culture of growth underscores TCC’s continued potential.”

CHILDS Advisory Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to The Channel Company in this transaction. Citizens Bank, N.A. provided senior debt financing and Northstar Capital provided mezzanine financing and equity co-investment.

Carl Marks & Co. is the anchor investor in Stone-Goff’s investment fund.