GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.: Leading digital commerce agency CQL announced today it has taken a strategic investment from Superstep Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on transformative technology services. This investment will accelerate CQL’s growth trajectory, expand its capabilities, and pursue a focused acquisition strategy to serve clients as the next great digital commerce agency.

Along with the acquisition and strategic growth investment by Superstep Capital, CQL announced new executive leadership. Dave Barr will lead CQL as its new CEO along with Justin Finnegan who will serve as President and COO. Dave and Justin are industry veterans who successfully led and grew Lyons Consulting Group (LYONSCG) and Gorilla Group respectively to become industry leaders that were each acquired by strategic buyers (Capgemini and WPP).

CQL’s founder, Kevin Antel, and its current CEO of 20 years, Mark Lardieri, will remain as investors and advisors to CQL, along with other employee shareholders who will now become employee shareholders of the newly formed CQL entity. All other existing leadership team members will continue to serve CQL. In addition, industry veterans Ray Grady and Rich Lyons will join the board as advisors.

Under its new leadership, CQL is positioned to be the leading digital commerce agency bringing holistic solutions that elevate customer experiences and drive business outcomes for D2C brands and B2B corporations. Dave Barr, CEO, states, “CQL is currently very well positioned as a platform for growth due to its experienced leadership team covering a large swath of the needs of our clients’ digital commerce investments — strategy, user experience, performance marketing and industry leading technology capabilities aimed at driving revenue growth and profitability for our clients.”

CQL will expand its client roster of leading brands to include significant US and global brands that are evolving their digital commerce capabilities through strategy, user experience and design, digital marketing, and leading platform partners Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC), and BigCommerce.

“CQL is a leader in helping clients provide best-in-class ecommerce experiences, particularly in categories like apparel and beauty. We’re thrilled to partner with Dave, Justin, and the CQL leadership team to build the next great digital commerce agency,” said Stuart Coleman, Partner at Superstep Capital.

About CQL

CQL is the leading digital commerce agency bringing holistic solutions that elevate customer experiences and drive business outcomes for D2C brands and B2B corporations. With nearly 30 years of expertise, CQL delivers integrated multi-disciplinary solutions across strategy, user experience, performance marketing, and industry leading technology capabilities with unrivaled platform partners including Shopify, Salesforce, and BigCommerce. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, its clients include PetSmart, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Wolverine Worldwide, 4Patriots, Coldwater Creek, Paula’s Choice, Stride Rite, Escalade Sports, Footwear Unlimited, Haworth, and more. For more information, call 616-365-1000 or visit www.CQLCorp.com.

About Superstep Capital

Superstep Capital is a private equity firm that partners with companies leading the next wave of technology services. Its founder-focused model complements existing management teams with talent acquisition and development, technology partnerships, and organic and inorganic growth. The Superstep team has an extensive track record of building, acquiring, scaling, and selling digital services companies. For more information, visit www.superstepcapital.com.

Fonte: Business Wire