Firmstep Acquired By Granicus

Firmstep deal revolutionises digital government services

Granicus has officially acquired Firmstep, a leading SaaS platform for automating government services, in a move aimed at enhancing civic engagement and transforming how public services are delivered. This acquisition brings together Firmstep's experience in moving hundreds of UK government services online with Granicus' expertise in public sector communications solutions, creating a powerful partnership for modern digital governance.

A unified approach to civic engagement

The combination of these two platforms is set to seamlessly integrate online service delivery with targeted, event-driven communications, providing governments with a more cohesive strategy for engaging citizens and improving service accessibility.

Mark Hynes, CEO of Granicus, emphasised the significance of the merger:
"Granicus and Firmstep provide a unique platform for governments looking to optimize their channel shift and citizen self-service initiatives. By joining forces, we can offer even more value to our customers, integrating personalized communications directly into the service delivery process."

By leveraging this unified platform, UK governments will be better positioned to drive awareness, adoption, and personalization of their digital services, ultimately deepening their digital relationship with residents.

Accelerating digital transformation for governments

Firmstep has already played a pivotal role in helping over one-third of UK governments shift their services online, allowing residents to manage transactions, applications, and service requests digitally. Now, with Granicus' powerful communications platform and a growing network of citizen subscribers, the impact of this transformation will be even greater. Governments can now offer more intuitive self-service options and effectively communicate with residents, encouraging the use of digital services and enhancing the overall user experience.

Expanding innovation in public service delivery

Brett Husbands, CEO of Firmstep, sees the acquisition as an opportunity to expand the company’s mission beyond the UK.

Husbands said: "Firmstep was founded to transform modern government service delivery in the UK with easy-to-use online forms and self-service options. By joining forces with Granicus, we’ll have access to greater resources and investment, leading to more innovative product enhancements and better customer support,"

He added that the combined expertise would also allow them to bring their knowledge of public service delivery to local governments in the US, further expanding their global reach and impact.

What next for Firmstep?

Together, Granicus and Firmstep are set to redefine civic engagement, offering governments an integrated, cutting-edge platform that merges efficient service delivery with proactive, personalized communication. This collaboration will empower governments to better serve their residents in an increasingly digital world.

Douglas Edmunds advised the shareholders of Firmstep, with legal support from Squire Patton Boggs.

Post-acquisition update

Granicus was acquired by Vista Equity Partners in 2016. After making a string of acquisitions for Granicus, in 2020 Harvest Partners joined the investment team.

Through M&A, Granicus has been able to move quickly into many govtech segments - from permit platforms to public engagement forums and welfare claims.

We'd love to hear your story

Let's chat about your future plans. We can help you get clear on where you and your business are going.

book a chat with Douglas