Exa Networks
Exa Networks is a UK internet service provider founded in 2003, headquartered in Bradford, delivering proprietary connectivity (ExaMetro, DarkLight), content filtering (SurfProtect) and managed network appliances (ExaCube) primarily to UK schools, multi-academy trusts and small-to-mid-market businesses on recurring multi-year contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBradford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Exa Networks does
Exa Networks Limited is a privately held UK internet service provider founded in 2003 and headquartered in Bradford, England. The company specialises in connectivity, content filtering and managed network services for UK schools, multi-academy trusts (MATs), local authorities and UK small-to-mid-market businesses. Its core technology stack is unusually proprietary for a sub-50-employee ISP: it operates its own national fibre network (ExaMetro, DarkLight dark fibre up to 10Gbps), runs SurfProtect — an in-house DfE-compliant content-filtering proxy built on Go, Python, TypeScript and SQL processing approximately one billion web requests per day across London and Manchester proxy clusters — and sells ExaCube, an all-in-one managed appliance combining routing, firewall (Fortinet FortiGate VM), content filtering, failover and remote management. Identity integration with Active Directory, Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra ID, plus cross-site roaming for off-site devices, embeds the platform into customer identity layers.
The business model is predominantly recurring: subscription and managed-service revenue from the bundled Protect & Connect package (broadband/FTTP/leased line/ExaMetro/DarkLight/SmartConnect 4G-5G failover plus SurfProtect, ExaCube, VoIP telephony, antivirus and bespoke networking). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts, a 'Router for Life' hardware guarantee and dedicated account management. Go-to-market mixes direct in-house sales in Bradford with channel partners (JSPC Computer Services — 250+ schools since 2013; Entrust — 170 Birmingham schools; Smoothwall for monitoring; LCR Connect/hi-impact — 200+ schools), procurement frameworks (Everything ICT — 6,000+ education providers), and self-serve online quote/speed-checker tools. Major customer evidence includes David Ross Education Trust, Emmaus Catholic MAC, Entrust, Birmingham City Council, and ISPA award wins across Cyber Security (2022), Customer Service (2021), Partnership (2021, 2020), Business ISP (2020), Social Impact (2020) and SME ISP (2024). The company is founder-led, with Co-founder and Commercial Director Mark Cowgill publicly identified, and operates a non-profit affiliate, The Exa Foundation, running digital-skills programmes in Bradford.
Exa Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exa Networks
- Legal name
- Exa Networks Limited
- Website
- https://exa.net.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Exa Networks is a UK internet service provider founded in 2003, headquartered in Bradford, delivering proprietary connectivity (ExaMetro, DarkLight), content filtering (SurfProtect) and managed network appliances (ExaCube) primarily to UK schools, multi-academy trusts and small-to-mid-market businesses on recurring multi-year contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exa Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed Telecommunications & Internet Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Telecommunications (517)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carrier Ethernet Services (E-Line/E-LAN/E-Tree) (HDAIAFAC)
Keywords
Where Exa Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bradford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Exa Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Managed connectivity subscriptions (Protect & Connect): Recurring revenue from bundled broadband/connectivity services (FTTP, FTTC/SoGEA, Leased Line, ExaMetro, DarkLight, SmartConnect failover) typically contracted on monthly recurring terms with multi-year options.
- SurfProtect content filtering subscriptions: Recurring revenue from SurfProtect Quantum and Quantum+ content filtering subscriptions, including per-handset/per-licence style charging for monitoring add-ons (e.g., Smoothwall Monitor).
- ExaCube managed service: Recurring managed-service revenue from ExaCube deployment: router, firewall, filtering, failover and remote management provided with zero capital outlay to the customer.
- VoIP telephony (Hosted PBX / SIP): Recurring per-handset subscription revenue from Hosted PBX and SIP trunk telephony services offered to schools and businesses.
- Professional & bespoke services (Router Management, Bespoke Networking, Colocation, Email & Web hosting, Antivirus): Revenue from bespoke networking projects, colocation, email and website hosting, antivirus, and 'Router for Life' / router management services — typically recurring or one-off project fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based pricing for Protect & Connect bundles, connectivity, SurfProtect, ExaCube, VoIP and bespoke services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Exa Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Exa Networks is a UK internet service provider delivering managed connectivity, content filtering and cybersecurity bundled under the flagship "Protect & Connect" service for schools, multi-academy trusts and businesses. The portfolio includes FTTP, leased line, ExaMetro fibre, DarkLight dark fibre and SmartConnect 4G/5G failover connectivity, the in-house SurfProtect content filtering platform, the ExaCube managed network appliance, an Exa Virtual Firewall, VoIP telephony and student safeguarding monitoring.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SurfProtect: In-house content filtering platform for UK schools, with variants including Quantum, Quantum+, Evolution and Evolution+, providing DfE-compliant web filtering, AD/Google/Entra ID integration, real-time analytics and cross-site roaming.
- Protect & Connect
- ExaCube
- Exa Foundation
Products and services
- Protect & Connect Bundled managed service combining connectivity (FTTP, leased line, ExaMetro, DarkLight, 4G/5G failover), e-safeguarding content filtering, student monitoring, firewall and antivirus for UK schools, multi-academy trusts and businesses.
- SurfProtect (Quantum and Quantum+) In-house DfE-compliant web content filtering platform for UK schools and MATs, with HTTPS and HTTP filtering, AD/Google/Entra ID integration for per-user and per-group policies, real-time analytics, safeguarding alerts and cross-site roaming for off-site devices.
- ExaCube DfE-compliant all-in-one network appliance combining router, firewall, content filtering, failover and remote management, fully managed by Exa with zero capital outlay; can be paired with Exa connectivity or deployed on any existing internet service (PSTI Statement of Compliance reference EXACUBE-56UG-0).
- School Broadband (FTTP, FTTC/SoGEA, Leased Line) Managed broadband connectivity services for UK schools, including FTTP, FTTC/SoGEA and Leased Line options, backed by UK-based support and bundled with filtering, firewall and failover options.
- Ultrafast Business Broadband Ultrafast broadband and leased line services for UK businesses designed to reduce internet downtime, improve employee productivity and pair with Exa's network security products.
- ExaMetro (metro fibre network) Exa's own metro fibre network used to deliver connectivity to UK schools, MATs and businesses with high bandwidth and resilience.
- DarkLight (dark fibre service) Branded dark fibre service offering fully symmetric, uncontended connectivity up to 10Gbps from day of install, with on-demand bandwidth scaling for low-latency A-to-B traffic.
- SmartConnect (4G/5G failover) 4G/5G failover connectivity service providing backup internet connectivity for UK schools, MATs and businesses to maintain uptime during primary link outages.
- Exa Virtual Firewall Centralised virtual firewall service powered by Fortinet FortiGate VM, providing trust-wide firewall protection across multiple school or business sites without on-site physical firewall hardware.
- VoIP Telephony (Hosted PBX / SIP trunks) Cloud-based Hosted PBX and SIP trunk telephony services for UK schools and businesses, supporting remote working and PSTN switch-off migration, sold on a per-handset monthly licence.
- Smoothwall Monitor (safeguarding monitoring) 24/7/365 student safeguarding monitoring service integrated into Exa's Protect & Connect package, using AI and trained human moderators to identify students at serious risk; complementing SurfProtect Quantum content filtering.
- Securus Monitoring Alternative student safeguarding monitoring service offered alongside Smoothwall Monitor within Exa's school Protect & Connect package for digital safeguarding.
- Antivirus Managed antivirus service offered as part of Exa's Protect & Connect bundle to protect school, MAT and business endpoints.
- Bespoke Networking Bespoke networking projects and design services for UK schools, MATs and businesses with non-standard networking requirements.
- Colocation Colocation service offering customers rack space and hosting within Exa's UK infrastructure as part of its additional services portfolio.
- Email and Website Hosting Managed email and website hosting service offered as part of Exa's additional services for UK schools, MATs and businesses.
Companies that use Exa Networks
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Exa Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature8 records
Exa Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.
- CERT-In / Action Fraud / National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)secondaryExa is a member of the Internet Watch Foundation, the UK body working to remove child sexual abuse imagery from the internet. Membership supports SurfProtect filtering and Exa's broader e-safeguarding positioning.
- Fortinet (FortiGate Firewall platform)coreExa's Exa Virtual Firewall is powered by Fortinet's FortiGate VM firewall; Exa also manages FortiGate hardware firewalls for customers. Real-time intelligence sharing and collaborative patching with Fortinet was demonstrated during the February 2024 Fortinet PSIRT advisory (FG-IR-24-015).
- SkysecondaryExa expanded its wholesale connectivity partnership with Sky (alongside Netomnia/BRSK and Pangea) to broaden underlying connectivity options including leased lines, FTTP and 4G/5G failover for UK businesses and schools.
- Netomnia / BRSKsecondaryExpanded wholesale connectivity partnership with Netomnia/BRSK (altnets) to extend Exa's full-fibre footprint and leased line/FTTP coverage across the UK.
- PangeasecondaryExpanded wholesale connectivity partnership with Pangea to broaden Exa's underlying connectivity options for UK businesses and schools.
- SmoothwallcoreExa partnered with Smoothwall to add Smoothwall Monitor into its product and services portfolio. Smoothwall Monitor is now part of Exa's Protect & Connect package, complementing Exa's in-house SurfProtect Quantum filtering and helping schools meet and exceed KCSiE digital safeguarding responsibilities. Smoothwall uses AI and trained human moderators to identify students at serious risk 24/7/365.
- Everything ICT FrameworkcoreExa joined the Everything ICT Framework as an approved supplier, giving schools, MATs, colleges and universities a free procurement route to over 6,000 education providers. DfE-approved as part of the 'Find a Framework' initiative.
- Entrust Education Technologies (Birmingham City Council)coreExa worked with Entrust to replace the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) offering with a centralised solution for 170 schools in Birmingham. SurfProtect Quantum content filtering and an Exa virtual firewall (FortiGate VM) were deployed across all schools, with backup connectivity as standard. Matthew Coleman-Hamilton (Head of Service at Entrust) is publicly quoted endorsing the partnership.
- LCR Connect / hi-impactcoreExa began work on the LCR Connect project with hi-impact to provide over 200 schools with ultrafast fibre connections. The project delivered new fibre infrastructure across the Liverpool City Region.
- JSPC Computer ServicescoreJSPC has partnered with Exa since 2013, supplying and supporting more than 250 schools locally with Exa managed internet services. JSPC complements its ICT solutions with Exa's connectivity and acts as a channel partner. The pair have also run joint roadshows (e.g., the JSPC Roadshow highlighting cyber security).
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Exa Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spitfire Network Services: UK independent business ISP providing leased lines, FTTP, Ethernet and VoIP to business and public-sector customers. Comparable as a UK-focused SME/enterprise ISP with similar connectivity and telephony product mix.
- Glide (Glide Utilities): UK altnet/connectivity provider delivering fibre, business broadband, hosted telephony and student accommodation services. Comparable UK connectivity operator with both enterprise and education-adjacent verticals.
- Schools Broadband: UK-based ISP focused exclusively on schools and MATs, offering DfE-compliant broadband, content filtering, firewalling and managed Wi-Fi. Closest direct competitor to Exa's education Protect & Connect offering in the UK.
- Zen Internet: UK independent ISP serving business and consumer customers with broadband, leased lines and VoIP. Comparable UK-focused ISP business model serving SMEs and public sector, with overlapping product set.
- Securus (digital safeguarding): UK-based student digital safeguarding and monitoring provider for schools and colleges. Directly competes with Smoothwall Monitor (which Exa bundles) and complements Exa's content-filtering offering for UK education.
- Smoothwall: UK-headquartered provider of web filtering, monitoring and digital safeguarding for schools. Both a partner (Smoothwall Monitor inside Protect & Connect) and direct competitor to Exa's SurfProtect platform in UK education filtering.
Broad incumbents
- TalkTalk Business: UK business ISP and wholesale provider delivering broadband, Ethernet, mobile and voice services to SMEs, resellers and public sector. Competes with Exa on price-led business connectivity and is a relevant broad incumbent peer.
- Virgin Media Business / O2 Business: Major UK connectivity provider offering broadband, Ethernet, leased lines, mobile and unified communications to business and public-sector customers. Broad incumbent competing in the same education and enterprise connectivity tenders as Exa.
- BT Business (EE): Incumbent UK telecom operator providing broadband, leased lines, Ethernet, mobile and managed security to enterprises, public sector and education. Overlaps Exa's product set but at much greater scale and broader scope.
Regional players
- ContentKeeper Technologies: Australia-headquartered web filtering and cybersecurity platform with UK education deployments. Adjacent content-filtering competitor to SurfProtect in the UK schools segment, though primarily operating outside UK.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Exa Networks social profiles
Digital presenceExa Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exa Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Exa Networks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Exa Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exa Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Exa Networks
What does Exa Networks do?
Exa Networks is a UK internet service provider delivering managed connectivity, content filtering and cybersecurity bundled under the flagship "Protect & Connect" service for schools, multi-academy trusts and businesses. The portfolio includes FTTP, leased line, ExaMetro fibre, DarkLight dark fibre and SmartConnect 4G/5G failover connectivity, the in-house SurfProtect content filtering platform, the ExaCube managed network appliance, an Exa Virtual Firewall, VoIP telephony and student safeguarding monitoring.
Is Exa Networks a public or private company?
Exa Networks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Exa Networks founded?
Exa Networks was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Exa Networks based?
Exa Networks is headquartered in Bradford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Exa Networks make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Managed connectivity subscriptions (Protect & Connect) is the primary driver. The others are surfProtect content filtering subscriptions, exaCube managed service, voIP telephony (Hosted PBX / SIP) and professional & bespoke services (Router Management, Bespoke Networking, Colocation, Email & Web hosting, Antivirus).
Who are Exa Networks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spitfire Network Services, Glide (Glide Utilities), Schools Broadband, Zen Internet, Securus (digital safeguarding) and Smoothwall. Broad incumbents are TalkTalk Business, Virgin Media Business / O2 Business and BT Business (EE). ContentKeeper Technologies is listed as a regional player.
Does Exa Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exa Networks.
What industry is Exa Networks in?
Exa Networks's product category is Managed Telecommunications & Internet Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAC, Carrier Ethernet Services (E-Line/E-LAN/E-Tree). Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 4899.