AppDirect Expands Marketplace with the Broker Online Exchange Deal

AppDirect, the world’s leading B2B commerce platform, on Tuesday announced a first-of-its-kind move to power the next era of AI-driven business services: the acquisition of Broker Online Exchange (BOX), North America’s leading retail energy network. Through this acquisition, AppDirect is continuing to expand and redefine how their partner network can sell, manage, and optimize the critical services their customers rely on.

Arthur Gruen, CEO of BOX, said, “AppDirect’s deep commitment to its technology advisors mirrors BOX’s commitment to our energy broker community, so partnering with the team is a natural fit, providing incredible opportunities. AppDirect has a diverse catalog of services and procurement platforms to manage those services ongoing. This, in turn, gives our energy broker community an entirely new set of solutions to add even more value to their customers, expand their share of wallet and quickly grow revenue.”

Nicolas Desmarais, AppDirect’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “Business is entering a new era where technology alone isn’t enough; it also needs the infrastructure that powers it. By bringing energy into our marketplace, AppDirect is setting a new standard for how businesses buy and manage the critical services they need to succeed, powered by our advisor and broker community. We believe the future belongs to companies that control the foundation, and we are proud to be the first to take this step.”

Gartner research

According to Gartner, the long-term view is unshakable: electricity demand is projected to grow 42 percent by 2035, and this acquisition will allow AppDirect to expand its portfolio of solutions, which currently includes cloud, telco, mobility, hardware, AI, and now, energy that its advisor community can offer their end business clients.

The Acquisition

Based on the report, AppDirect will add these capabilities to its expansive solution portfolio, which technology advisors can offer to their clients, while BOX brokers will have access to AppDirect’s technology solutions to sell and provide to their end clients to allow them to expand their share of wallet.

This acquisition is expected to provide an upside opportunity for both BOX and AppDirect customers and partners, the report stated.

AppDirect said that A&D Global Advisors LLC/M&A Securities Group Inc. served as exclusive financial advisors to Broker Online Exchange LLC in this transaction. 

About AppDirect

AppDirect is a B2B subscription commerce platform company that brings together technology providers, advisors, and businesses to simplify how they buy, sell, and manage technology. More than 1,000 providers, 10,000 advisors, and 5 million subscribers rely on the AppDirect ecosystem of subscription marketplaces to power their innovation, growth, and success. 

About Broker Online Exchange

Broker Online Exchange (BOX) is the largest, most flexible retail energy network in North America. It meets the needs of commercial customer advisors, energy brokers, and referral partners by providing direct access to North America’s top energy suppliers and markets. Broker Online Exchange also provides personalized support and flexible payment plans to its network of energy brokers and partners.