MGT and Ares Management Join Forces to Establish SLED Services Unicorn
MGT, a national leader in technology and advisory solutions specifically targeting state, local, and education (SLED) sectors, has made headlines with its recent collaboration with Ares Management Corporation. This partnership is not just a financial transaction; it's a major leap forward for both entities, marking the creation of the first unicorn in the SLED services industry.
Announced on December 3, 2025, this partnership culminated in a substantial $350 million investment from Ares Management, which values MGT at an impressive $1.25 billion. Ares Management, recognized globally as a leading alternative investment manager with around $572 billion in assets under management, joins a coalition of existing sponsors of MGT, including The Vistria Group, J.P. Morgan, and WhiteHorse Capital.
Trey Traviesa, CEO of MGT, expressed enthusiasm about this strategic alliance, stating that the investment validates the company’s vision and commitment to carve out a unique position in the SLED sector characterized by both social impact and performance excellence. He emphasized that with Ares's backing, MGT is now well-equipped to pursue larger acquisitions, thus accelerating its ambitious value creation plans.
MGT is currently executing a four-year value-creation blueprint, a roadmap that has already proven successful, tripling the company's enterprise value since a majority investment from Vistria in April 2023. Rapid growth has been fueled by a focused M&A strategy, bolstered by organic growth and a robust business transformation plan. Currently, MGT employs over 1,100 dedicated personnel serving a diverse clientele of over 2,500 customers. The company's services impact more than 200 million people annually, including roughly 20 million K-12 students across the United States.
The comprehensive portfolio of specialized technology and advisory solutions offered by MGT directly addresses critically important challenges for government agencies, school districts, and higher education institutions. Areas of focus include technology modernization, cybersecurity, campus safety, human resources, fiscal management, and K-12 educational improvement.
Founded in 1975, the company has undergone rapid expansion since the appointment of new leadership in 2016, driven by a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, totaling 13 to date. In recognition of its success, MGT was ranked No. 830 on the Inc. 5000 in 2025, an honor bestowed upon the fastest-growing private enterprises in the United States, and it secured the No. 6 position on CRN's Fast Growth 150 list, which highlights the fastest-growing tech companies in North America.
For anyone looking to understand the transformative trends in the SLED sector or to dive deeper into MGT's impact, additional information can be found on their website mgt.us, or by downloading their Annual Impact Report available at mgt.us/2024_impact_report.
About The Vistria Group: The Vistria Group is pioneering a new model for private equity that emphasizes both financial returns and societal benefits. Their investment strategy focuses on essential sectors such as healthcare and educational solutions, promoting value not only for investors but also for communities and consumers.
About Ares Management Corporation: NYSE-listed Ares Management Corporation is a prominent global player in the alternative investment space, providing clients with a range of investment solutions across various asset classes, including credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. They are committed to being a source of flexible capital, fostering value creation for stakeholders and communities.
Announced on December 3, 2025, this partnership culminated in a substantial $350 million investment from Ares Management, which values MGT at an impressive $1.25 billion. Ares Management, recognized globally as a leading alternative investment manager with around $572 billion in assets under management, joins a coalition of existing sponsors of MGT, including The Vistria Group, J.P. Morgan, and WhiteHorse Capital.
Trey Traviesa, CEO of MGT, expressed enthusiasm about this strategic alliance, stating that the investment validates the company’s vision and commitment to carve out a unique position in the SLED sector characterized by both social impact and performance excellence. He emphasized that with Ares's backing, MGT is now well-equipped to pursue larger acquisitions, thus accelerating its ambitious value creation plans.
MGT is currently executing a four-year value-creation blueprint, a roadmap that has already proven successful, tripling the company's enterprise value since a majority investment from Vistria in April 2023. Rapid growth has been fueled by a focused M&A strategy, bolstered by organic growth and a robust business transformation plan. Currently, MGT employs over 1,100 dedicated personnel serving a diverse clientele of over 2,500 customers. The company's services impact more than 200 million people annually, including roughly 20 million K-12 students across the United States.
The comprehensive portfolio of specialized technology and advisory solutions offered by MGT directly addresses critically important challenges for government agencies, school districts, and higher education institutions. Areas of focus include technology modernization, cybersecurity, campus safety, human resources, fiscal management, and K-12 educational improvement.
Founded in 1975, the company has undergone rapid expansion since the appointment of new leadership in 2016, driven by a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, totaling 13 to date. In recognition of its success, MGT was ranked No. 830 on the Inc. 5000 in 2025, an honor bestowed upon the fastest-growing private enterprises in the United States, and it secured the No. 6 position on CRN's Fast Growth 150 list, which highlights the fastest-growing tech companies in North America.
For anyone looking to understand the transformative trends in the SLED sector or to dive deeper into MGT's impact, additional information can be found on their website mgt.us, or by downloading their Annual Impact Report available at mgt.us/2024_impact_report.
About The Vistria Group: The Vistria Group is pioneering a new model for private equity that emphasizes both financial returns and societal benefits. Their investment strategy focuses on essential sectors such as healthcare and educational solutions, promoting value not only for investors but also for communities and consumers.
About Ares Management Corporation: NYSE-listed Ares Management Corporation is a prominent global player in the alternative investment space, providing clients with a range of investment solutions across various asset classes, including credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. They are committed to being a source of flexible capital, fostering value creation for stakeholders and communities.
Topics Business Technology）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.