Evolve, a provider of managed network solutions and IT services announced a strategic partnership with Purple, a provider of Wi-Fi and place-based analytics solutions.
Both Evolve and Purple are part of the BGF portfolio which was established to address the SME funding gap in the UK and Ireland by providing venture capital to businesses. Evolve announced its investment with BGF earlier this year and Purple has already experienced rapid growth under BGF’s guidance since October 2023.
The alignment in ambition and values between the two companies made Evolve a natural choice as part of Purple’s growth strategy, to support increased efficiency and freeing up resources to focus on other areas of business development. As Purple expands into new sectors including hospitality, it will leverage Evolve’s established experience to provide a Guest Wi-Fi experience to new and existing customers.
The partnership also marks a strategic move for Evolve as it shifts away from its existing in-house Guest Wi-Fi to utilise Purple Wi-Fi for its own Wi-Fi services, offering Evolve’s customers increased functionality from personalised communications and promotions thanks to Purple’s automation tool, to automatic customer surveys with a 97% average response rate.
“Guest Wi-Fi is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but vitally important to businesses across the retail and hospitality sectors,” said Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO at Evolve. “Enabling customers to connect and use various digital services in-store or on-the-go, as well as being a valuable marketing tool for businesses that offers insights into customer behaviour, Evolve remains committed to providing our customers with industry-leading Guest Wi-Fi services.
“Purple has an impressive track record when it comes to enhancing visitor experiences, optimising efficiency and increasing cost-effectiveness. I am confident that this partnership, and the change in Wi-Fi provider, will only benefit our customers and their customers with a scalable and modern solution.”
Purple, which initially started in 2012 out of frustration for poor guest WiFi connection, has since evolved into a tool for businesses to turn their physical venues into intelligent spaces. Today, Purple helps physical venues thrive by enhancing visitor experiences, optimising staff efficiency, and driving additional revenue with its hardware-agnostic indoor locations services.
“We are delighted to be working with Evolve as they embark on the next chapter of their growth plan. Evolve has an established and respected role in the hospitality industry, among other sectors, and we are confident that our joint offering will provide real added value to those businesses,” added Gavin Wheeldon, CEO at Purple. “By working together with Evolve to provide an improved Guest Wi-Fi service, we are creating a unique and best-in-class solution for the market. The joint credibility of Purple and Evolve will ensure that we can help to scale businesses in a robust marketplace.”
Founded in 2005 with Guest Wi-Fi as its core offering, Evolve has since seen exponential growth with the incorporation of SD-WAN, internet connectivity, and a range of innovative IT support solutions.
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