Crosslake Technologies, a data-driven technology advisory service for private equity firms and their portfolio companies, announced the acquisition of Lucen Partners, a boutique advisory firm specializing in product and software advisory services for private equity-backed technology companies. The terms were undisclosed.
As part of the deal, Lucen co-founders Manoj Narayanan and Cynthia Williamson have joined Crosslake as managing directors. And Narayanan and Williamson are seasoned private equity operating partners who also bring experience as senior product, software and transformation leaders within portfolio companies.
Through the addition of Lucen Partners, Crosslake will expand its software and product practice capabilities with specialized expertise and tools to help product and engineering teams define and communicate product and software strategy, optimize processes and organizational structure, and navigate complex transformations. Focused product roadmap engagements will help teams prioritize annual roadmap investments, allocate engineering capacity, and select investment options through detailed quarterly plans, an execution measurement framework, and proprietary, AI-based tooling.
Crosslake (backed by Charlotte-based private equity firm Falfurrias Management Partners) has completed five strategic growth investments since 2020. And the combined expertise of six industry-leading advisory firms has enhanced the business’s value creation offerings in the areas of cybersecurity, enterprise systems, AI, transformation, and product strategy.
KEY QUOTES:
“Cynthia and Manoj are accomplished, inspiring and client-centric leaders with a proven track record of delivering transformational product and software outcomes for clients. They quickly built an impressive team comprised of senior-level technology professionals backed by a wealth of operating and advisory expertise, and it’s a privilege to call them colleagues. In particular, their holistic focus on product and engineering is of growing importance to successful value creation for our clients and will serve as a bedrock for our growing product and software practice.”
Crosslake CEO Barr Blanton
“Joining forces with Crosslake is an exciting milestone for Lucen Partners and its clients. Our commitment to quality and service has driven our growth to this point. From our initial interactions with Barr, we felt a strong alignment and saw a significant opportunity to be integrated into Crosslake’s strategic growth plan, contributing to its market position.”
Lucen co-founder Cynthia Williamson
“As founders, we feel very fortunate that Lucen Partners has achieved remarkable success as an early-stage company. Becoming part of Crosslake will allow us to leverage the firm’s extensive resources, enhancing the breadth and depth of consulting services we can offer.”
Lucen co-founder Manoj Narayanan
“Product and software expertise has become a focal point for technology value creation, and the addition of Lucen Partners expands Crosslake’s capabilities in this increasingly relevant domain. More importantly, Lucen Partners’ team of proven, battle-tested practitioners aligns with Crosslake’s foundational principle of delivering technical advisory services and tools informed by real-world experience.”
Wilson Sullivan of Falfurrias Management Partners
