Colubris partners set to gain from investor cash
Vendor claims the $14m raised will be used to keep its channel up to date with products and services. Chris Koeneman, co-president of Colubris has claimed that partners will benefit from 'a more robust channel marketing programme, with more information on product innovations.'
Colubris Networks’ channel partners can expect enhanced support after the WAN optimisation vendor raised $14m in additional funding.
The funding was generated by Colubris investors, including Prism VentureWorks, GrandBanks Capital, Doll Capital Management, Mid-Atlantic Venture Funds, The Telecommunications Development Fund and The Business Development Bank of Canada.
The investment comes after the firm signed its second UK distribution agreement with Selcoms International to recruit wireless and security VARs (CRN, 9 October). Acal also distributes Colubris in the UK.
Chris Koeneman, co-president of Colubris, told CRN: “Due to the investment, our partners will experience a more robust channel marketing programme with more information on our product innovations.
“Our product is established and it is just a matter of executing it through our channel. Our investors had a lot of confidence in us, so they gave us the money.”
Koeneman added that the vendor is happy with its UK distribution agreements, and that Colubris works well with VARs that look to add value and know-how.
“We are after more UK VARs, but not too many,” he said. “It is about building what we have. We have 25 active UK resellers and plan to add another five to 10 VARs working in new verticals, such as healthcare and manufacturing.”
Howard Russell, director at Colubris reseller Signature Networks, said: “Colubris has shifted its focus more into the enterprise market. Additional channel support will give resellers more creditability in this space.
“Previously, the general marketing support from Colubris was satisfactory, but over the past year it has bought more people in, increased its marketing information and the whole operation has been lifted.”
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Colubris Networks signs with Selcoms International