Tercera

Tercera is an investment and advisory firm that specializes in next gen IT services businesses. We support founders and leadership teams who need capital, counsel and connections to scale.

Tercera is a growth equity investment firm specializing exclusively in the $1 trillion IT services market, focusing on people-centric, cloud-focused professional services firms. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of these firms by providing capital, strategic counsel, and connections, emphasizing solid growth over chasing unicorn valuations. Tercera targets founder-led, culture-forward, technology-enabled companies within partner-centric software ecosystems, helping them lead the cloud's third wave. Its portfolio companies have demonstrated strong growth, outpacing the overall IT services market by more than three times in 2023, and several have earned Partner of the Year awards from strategic software partners[1][2][3].

Founded in 2020, Tercera was established by experienced operators and investors including CEO Chris Barbin and partners Dan Lascell, Dan Siegman, and Jeremy Lynch. The firm evolved with a clear focus on early-growth investments in cloud professional services, leveraging a team of invested operators who understand the operational challenges of scaling cloud services businesses. Tercera also built a strong advisor community of seasoned cloud and consulting executives to support portfolio companies with strategic growth and operational expertise[1][4].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focused exclusively on IT services firms within cloud ecosystems, emphasizing people and culture over products or unicorn valuations.
• Network Strength: A curated advisor community of industry veterans provides hands-on support and connections.
• Track Record: Portfolio companies grow at more than three times the industry average, with multiple Partner of the Year recognitions.
• Operating Support: Investors are experienced operators who actively engage with portfolio companies to scale growth effectively[1][2][3].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Tercera rides the wave of cloud adoption and digital transformation, particularly the "third wave" of cloud services characterized by integrated software and services ecosystems. The timing is favorable due to accelerating cloud migration, AI integration, and increasing demand for specialized IT services. By investing in firms that lead in these ecosystems, Tercera influences the broader tech landscape by shaping the future of IT services and professional services firms, helping them scale gracefully in a rapidly evolving market[2][3].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Tercera is positioned to capitalize on continued cloud expansion and the growing convergence of software and services, especially as AI reshapes IT service delivery. Its focus on people-centric growth and operational support suggests it will continue to help portfolio companies scale sustainably. The firm’s influence is likely to grow as it expands its advisor network and deepens its expertise in emerging cloud ecosystems, reinforcing its role as a key growth partner in the IT services sector[1][3].