TA-Backed Radialpoint buys VC-Backed HiWired

Radialpoint, an Internet security company based in Montreal, has purchased HiWired, a Needham, Mass.-based remote tech support company. Radialpoint received a C$98 million investment from TA Associates in September of 2008. HiWired has raised a total og $12.6 million from venture firms including North Hill Ventures, Kodiak Venture Partners and Sigma Partners.

Press release
Radialpoint, the leading provider of managed Internet security and care services to the world’s largest Internet Service Providers (ISPs), today announced that it recently purchased the assets of HiWired Inc., a provider of technology support services to ISP partners across North America. HiWired offers incident-based and ongoing remote technical support for consumers struggling with technology issues including sluggish and infected PCs, the setup of new computers and digital devices, and problem-solving with more complicated technology and networking configurations. Radialpoint will integrate the HiWired services into its suite of managed services designed to create new revenue streams for ISPs.

As a result of the acquisition, Radialpoint will add two senior HiWired executives to its team. HiWired co-founders Michael Wexler and Singu Srinivas will take on the roles of Vice President, Premium Care and Vice President, Sales, Americas at Radialpoint respectively.

“With HiWired solutions added to Radialpoint’s suite of services, we are enabling ISPs to help their customers enjoy the benefits of technology by removing frustration, providing security, and simplifying the complexity involved with managing and maintaining the technology they use every day,” said Hamnett Hill, Radialpoint’s CEO. “The HiWired collection of services will play a key role in furthering Radialpoint’s vision of being the leading global provider of managed services and support for the digital home.”

Prior to being acquired by Radialpoint, HiWired’s customers included major U.S. brands such as Comcast, Cox Communications and Windstream. HiWired’s services were recently awarded an Editor’s Choice rating by PC Magazine in July 2008.

About Radialpoint

Radialpoint is a leading provider of managed Internet security and care services for Internet service providers (ISPs). Its services are currently available to over 23 million broadband subscribers worldwide. Radialpoint’s Services and Managed Service Delivery Platform enable ISPs to generate new revenue and significantly lower operational costs associated with supporting and bringing new Internet services to market. Its customers include Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, TELUS and Videotron in Canada; AT&T, FairPoint Windstream and Verizon in the US; and, ONO, and Virgin Media in Europe. Radialpoint is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with offices in Boston, US, and Europe.