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{{short description|New Zealand domain registrar and web hosting company}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox website
{{Multiple issues|
| name         = Umbrellar Technology Group Limited
{{Orphan|date=January 2021}}
| logo        =
{{Self-published|date=April 2020}}
| logo_size    =  
}}
 
{{Infobox dot-com company
| name = Umbrellar Ltd.
| logo_size =  
| logo =  
| company_type = [[Private company|Private]]
| company_type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1997}} (as Digiweb)
| founded      = {{start date and age|1997}}
| location = [[Auckland, New Zealand]]
| headquarters = [[Auckland, New Zealand]]
| area_served = New Zealand
| area_served = New Zealand, Australia, Asia-Pacific
| key_people = Robert Rolls, CFO & Head of Online{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}<br />Dave Howden, Head of Cloud {{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
| key_people   = Ian Hassell ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<br />Caroline Young ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])<br />Shavvah Aldred (Chief Sales and Marketing Officer)
| industry = [[Web hosting]]
| industry     = [[Cloud computing]], [[Data center|data centre services]], [[Colocation centre|colocation]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.umbrellar.com/}}
| website      = {{URL|https://www.umbrellar.co.nz}}  
| CEO = Michael Foley
}}
}}
'''Umbrellar Technology Group Limited''' is a New Zealand–based cloud solutions and technology services provider headquartered in [[Takapuna|Takapuna, Auckland]]. While the Umbrellar brand traces its origins back to 1997, the current legal entity known as Umbrellar Technology Group Limited was formally incorporated on 19 February 2024 following a management buyout from their American owners, Pax8, back into New Zealand ownership.<ref name="pax8divest">{{cite news |last=Talevski |first=Julia |title=Pax8 divests NZ MSP unit, helps Umbrellar Technology Group come to life |url=https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/1312637/pax8-divests-nz-msp-unit-helps-umbrellar-technology-group-come-to-life.html |work=Reseller News|date=11 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>


'''Umbrellar Ltd.''' is a privately owned Internet web hosting company<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pencarrowpe.co.nz/investments/|title=Pencarrow PEc: Company Profile|website=Pencarrow|access-date=2020-06-24}}</ref> headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand and incorporated in New Zealand.<ref name="companies office">{{cite web|url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/5421222/shareholdings|title=DWDA HOLDINGS LIMITED (5421222)|website=New Zealand Companies Office|publisher=NZ Companies Office|accessdate=June 24, 2020}}</ref>
== Early origins (1997–2014) ==
 
Umbrellar’s foundations lie in the consolidation of multiple New Zealand hosting, domain, and internet service brands. Originally established as Digiweb in 1997, the business expanded through a series of mergers and acquisitions involving local providers, including Web Drive, Freeparking, and other hosting and domain ventures.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Umbrellar's Michael Foley: "No one owns the customer" |url=https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/1300918/umbrellars-michael-foley-no-one-owns-the-customer.html |access-date=2026-08-15 |website=Reseller News |language=English}}</ref> These integrations formed one of New Zealand’s largest aggregated portfolios for data-center services, website hosting, domain registration, and managed infrastructure services.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |title=New Zealand's largest domains & hosting company sold|work=IT Brief|date=8 September 2014|url=https://itbrief.co.nz/story/new-zealands-largest-domains-hosting-company-sold |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>
Its services are utilised by small businesses, marketing agencies, web specialists, and large corporate enterprises across New Zealand, Australia and Asia.<ref name="arrenway sale">{{cite press release|author=True Commercial|date=November 25, 2017|title=Albany data centre up for sale|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=11947581|location=Auckland, New Zealand|publisher=NZ Herald|accessdate=June 24, 2020}}</ref>


Pax 8 acquired Umbrellar in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panettieri |first=Joe |date=2022-08-01 |title=Pax8 Acquires Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud Solutions Provider Umbrellar - |url=https://www.channele2e.com/news/pax8-buys-microsoft-365-azure-cloud-solutions-provider-umbrellar |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=ChannelE2E |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pax8 divests NZ MSP unit, helps Umbrellar Technology Group come to life |url=https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/1312637/pax8-divests-nz-msp-unit-helps-umbrellar-technology-group-come-to-life.html |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Reseller News |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
== Private equity ownership and Azure era (2014–2022) ==
In September 2014, Umbrellar was acquired by New Zealand–based Pencarrow Private Equity.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Pencarrow Private Equity: Company Profile |publisher=Pencarrow |url=https://www.pencarrowpe.co.nz/ |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref> Under Pencarrow’s ownership, the company continued consolidating infrastructure brands and began a strategic shift toward cloud-first services.<ref name=":1" />


==History==
During this period Umbrellar became an early New Zealand adopter of [[Microsoft Azure]], investing in engineering capability for cloud transformation. By 2018 Umbrellar had launched hybrid cloud offerings built on Microsoft Azure and Azure Stack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Ben |title=Kiwi company Umbrellar boosts cloud offerings with Azure and Azure Stack |url=https://channellife.co.nz/story/kiwi-company-umbrellar-boosts-cloud-offerings-azure-and-azure-stack |access-date=2026-08-15 |website=ChannelLife New Zealand |language=en}}</ref>
The company, dating back to 1997, was formed from the amalgamation of 10 New Zealand domain name and web hosting brands including Digiweb, Web Drive & Freeparking.<ref name="arrenway sale"/>


===Infrastructure===
Umbrellar’s cloud-led execution and technical capability earned national recognition, including being named Microsoft New Zealand Partner of the Year (2019).<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Ben |title=Umbrellar named Microsoft's NZ Partner of the Year |work=Channel Life |date=13 June 2019 |url=https://channellife.co.nz/story/umbrellar-named-microsoft-s-nz-partner-of-the-year |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>
Umbrellar has a data-centre located in Albany Heights. One of four data-centres operated by Umbrellar.


=== Acquisitions ===
== Pax8 acquisition (2022) ==
On June 13, 2012, Digiweb (now Umbrellar) announced that it would acquire Digital Network Limited, a fellow provider of hosting services and domain name management.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://itbrief.co.nz/story/second-acquisition-for-digiweb| title=Second acquisition for Digiweb | work=IT Brief| date=June 13, 2012 | access-date=2020-06-24}}</ref> Adrian Grant was Managing Director at the time.
In August 2022, Pencarrow exited its investment when Pax8, a global cloud marketplace provider, acquired the Umbrellar Cloud business.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Panettieri |first=Joe |title=Pax8 Acquires Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud Solutions Provider Umbrellar |work=ChannelE2E |date=1 August 2022 |url=https://www.channele2e.com/news/pax8-buys-microsoft-365-azure-cloud-solutions-provider-umbrellar |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside Google Cloud's partnership with Pax8 to work with A/NZ MSPs |url=https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/4148967/inside-google-clouds-partnership-with-pax8-to-work-with-a-nz-msps-2.html |access-date=2026-08-15 |website=Reseller News |language=English}}</ref> This acquisition incorporated Umbrellar’s Microsoft cloud services, managed service operations, data-centre operations, and engineering teams into Pax8’s Asia–Pacific expansion strategy.<ref name=":0" />


On September 8, 2014, Web Drive was sold to Digiweb Holdings Limited. Daniel Williams & Steve Hogg were directors of Web Drive at the time.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://itbrief.co.nz/story/new-zealands-largest-domains-hosting-company-sold| title=New Zealand's largest domains & hosting company sold | work=IT Brief| date=September 8, 2014 | access-date=2020-06-24}}</ref>
== Formation of Umbrellar Technology Group (2024) ==
On 1 March 2024, Pax8 divested its New Zealand direct-customer business in a management buyout, enabling the establishment of Umbrellar Technology Group Limited as an independent, locally owned cloud-services organisation.<ref name="pax8divest" />


In 2005, 2day.com acquired by Freeparking.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.pencarrowpe.co.nz/newsletters/document/77| title=October 2015 Update - Pencarrow Newsletter | work=Pencarrow| date=October 2015| access-date=2020-06-24}}</ref>
Ian Hassell was appointed chief executive and became the majority shareholder.<ref name="pax8divest" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile for Umbrellar Technology Group Limited |url=https://oversightsolutions.co.nz/profile/UMBRELLAR-TECHNOLOGY-GROUP-LIMITED |access-date=2026-08-15 |website=oversightsolutions.co.nz}}</ref> The newly formed entity inherited the engineering teams, customer portfolio, and managed-service operations previously run under Pax8 NZ, marking the formal beginning of Umbrellar Technology Group in its current structure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industry Veteran Ian Hassell Launches Umbrellar Technology Group |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2403/S00188/industry-veteran-ian-hassell-launches-umbrellar-technology-group.htm |access-date=2026-08-15 |website=Scoop News}}</ref>


==Ownership==
== Business focus and evolution (2024 – present) ==
PenCarrow PE owns 82.8% of Umbrellar via its holding company DWDA Holdings Limited.<ref name="companies office" /> Smaller shareholders include 10.5% owned by DWDA LTIS Trustee Ltd, 3.9% by Aminoex Trustees & RDP Trusteed Ltd. (owned by current CFO Robert Rolls), 1.63% by Adrian Grant, 1.12% by Robin Dickie.
Umbrellar Technology Group positions itself as a cloud‑led services organization specializing in:
* Cloud infrastructure management across [[Microsoft Azure]] and [[Amazon Web Services]]
* Cloud migration, modernisation, and architecture
* Private cloud and colocation services within Auckland and Christchurch datacenters
* Managed services, including Umbrellar FinOps (UFO) and proactive care
* AI design and implementation services
* Data services
* Strategic IT consulting, advisory, and professional services


==References==
==References==
Line 46: Line 46:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.umbrellar.com }}
* {{Official website|https://www.umbrellar.com}}


[[Category:Companies based in Auckland]]
[[Category:Companies based in Auckland]]
[[Category:Cloud computing providers]]
[[Category:Domain name registrars]]
[[Category:Domain name registrars]]
[[Category:Web hosting]]
[[Category:Web hosting]]
[[Category:New Zealand companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:New Zealand companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Computer companies established in 1997]]

Latest revision as of 21:49, 30 September 2026

Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Infobox website Umbrellar Technology Group Limited is a New Zealand–based cloud solutions and technology services provider headquartered in Takapuna, Auckland. While the Umbrellar brand traces its origins back to 1997, the current legal entity known as Umbrellar Technology Group Limited was formally incorporated on 19 February 2024 following a management buyout from their American owners, Pax8, back into New Zealand ownership.[1]

Early origins (1997–2014)

Umbrellar’s foundations lie in the consolidation of multiple New Zealand hosting, domain, and internet service brands. Originally established as Digiweb in 1997, the business expanded through a series of mergers and acquisitions involving local providers, including Web Drive, Freeparking, and other hosting and domain ventures.[2] These integrations formed one of New Zealand’s largest aggregated portfolios for data-center services, website hosting, domain registration, and managed infrastructure services.[3]

Private equity ownership and Azure era (2014–2022)

In September 2014, Umbrellar was acquired by New Zealand–based Pencarrow Private Equity.[3][4] Under Pencarrow’s ownership, the company continued consolidating infrastructure brands and began a strategic shift toward cloud-first services.[2]

During this period Umbrellar became an early New Zealand adopter of Microsoft Azure, investing in engineering capability for cloud transformation. By 2018 Umbrellar had launched hybrid cloud offerings built on Microsoft Azure and Azure Stack.[5]

Umbrellar’s cloud-led execution and technical capability earned national recognition, including being named Microsoft New Zealand Partner of the Year (2019).[6]

Pax8 acquisition (2022)

In August 2022, Pencarrow exited its investment when Pax8, a global cloud marketplace provider, acquired the Umbrellar Cloud business.[7][8] This acquisition incorporated Umbrellar’s Microsoft cloud services, managed service operations, data-centre operations, and engineering teams into Pax8’s Asia–Pacific expansion strategy.[7]

Formation of Umbrellar Technology Group (2024)

On 1 March 2024, Pax8 divested its New Zealand direct-customer business in a management buyout, enabling the establishment of Umbrellar Technology Group Limited as an independent, locally owned cloud-services organisation.[1]

Ian Hassell was appointed chief executive and became the majority shareholder.[1][9] The newly formed entity inherited the engineering teams, customer portfolio, and managed-service operations previously run under Pax8 NZ, marking the formal beginning of Umbrellar Technology Group in its current structure.[10]

Business focus and evolution (2024 – present)

Umbrellar Technology Group positions itself as a cloud‑led services organization specializing in:

  • Cloud infrastructure management across Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services
  • Cloud migration, modernisation, and architecture
  • Private cloud and colocation services within Auckland and Christchurch datacenters
  • Managed services, including Umbrellar FinOps (UFO) and proactive care
  • AI design and implementation services
  • Data services
  • Strategic IT consulting, advisory, and professional services

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Talevski, Julia (11 March 2024). "Pax8 divests NZ MSP unit, helps Umbrellar Technology Group come to life". Reseller News. https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/1312637/pax8-divests-nz-msp-unit-helps-umbrellar-technology-group-come-to-life.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Umbrellar's Michael Foley: "No one owns the customer"" (in English). https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/1300918/umbrellars-michael-foley-no-one-owns-the-customer.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "New Zealand's largest domains & hosting company sold". IT Brief. 8 September 2014. https://itbrief.co.nz/story/new-zealands-largest-domains-hosting-company-sold. 
  4. ↑ "Pencarrow Private Equity: Company Profile". Pencarrow. https://www.pencarrowpe.co.nz/. 
  5. ↑ Moore, Ben. "Kiwi company Umbrellar boosts cloud offerings with Azure and Azure Stack" (in en). https://channellife.co.nz/story/kiwi-company-umbrellar-boosts-cloud-offerings-azure-and-azure-stack. 
  6. ↑ Moore, Ben (13 June 2019). "Umbrellar named Microsoft's NZ Partner of the Year". Channel Life. https://channellife.co.nz/story/umbrellar-named-microsoft-s-nz-partner-of-the-year. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Panettieri, Joe (1 August 2022). "Pax8 Acquires Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud Solutions Provider Umbrellar". ChannelE2E. https://www.channele2e.com/news/pax8-buys-microsoft-365-azure-cloud-solutions-provider-umbrellar. 
  8. ↑ "Inside Google Cloud's partnership with Pax8 to work with A/NZ MSPs" (in English). https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/4148967/inside-google-clouds-partnership-with-pax8-to-work-with-a-nz-msps-2.html. 
  9. ↑ "Profile for Umbrellar Technology Group Limited". https://oversightsolutions.co.nz/profile/UMBRELLAR-TECHNOLOGY-GROUP-LIMITED. 
  10. ↑ "Industry Veteran Ian Hassell Launches Umbrellar Technology Group". https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2403/S00188/industry-veteran-ian-hassell-launches-umbrellar-technology-group.htm. 
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