6. M/C Partners

Companies acquired: Corporate IT Solutions, Thrive Networks

Combined head count: 102-400 employees

Annual revenue: Not disclosed

Purchase Price: Not disclosed

Date of announcement: Dec. 7

Private equity firm M/C Partners bought two solution providers last month and merged them into a new entity that operates under the Thrive Networks name.

The merger ties together Tewksbury, Mass.-based Thrive Networks and Norwood, Mass.-based Corporate IT Solutions, creating an East Coast managed solutions heavyweight.

Following the deal, the former owners of Thrive Networks and Corporate IT solutions assumed roles as investors in the new entity.

M/C Partners expects this merger to be the first in a series of acquisitions that will enable Thrive Networks to penetrate additional geographic markets on the East Coast.