MCNC Holding Inc.
MCNC is a North Carolina nonprofit that operates the NCREN statewide fiber backbone, delivering broadband connectivity, managed cybersecurity, data center, collaboration, and consulting services to educational, research, healthcare, library, and government institutions across the state.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersDurham, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MCNC Holding Inc. does
MCNC is a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization founded in 1980 that operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), a statewide high-speed fiber backbone serving educational, research, healthcare, government, and public-safety institutions. The core technology asset is the NCREN infrastructure, supplemented by a portfolio of managed services including Connectivity (broadband and Ethernet), Cybersecurity (Managed Endpoint Protection, DNS Filtering, Active Vulnerability Analysis, Cyber Hygiene Assessment, Secure Application Access, Firewall Services), Consulting (advisory and network assessments), Data Center hosting, and Collaboration tools (Zoom Pro licenses and Mediasite video content management). Supporting initiatives include the HERO Project for rural broadband expansion, NCShare for shared high-performance computing, and the eNCore Partnership for community broadband coordination.
The business model is sales-led, with direct institutional engagement via a ServiceNow-based client portal and dedicated account management. Revenue is generated through subscription/recurring contracts (connectivity, cybersecurity, data center, collaboration) supplemented by professional services revenue from consulting engagements; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base is diversified across twelve named segments spanning colleges and universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, healthcare institutions, libraries, governments, cultural institutions, electric cooperatives, nonprofits, public safety, research institutions, and agricultural research organizations. MCNC maintains strategic partnerships with NC DIT, RENCI, the UNC System, the NC Community College system, the NC Department of Public Instruction, the State Library of North Carolina, NC DPS, and NC Electric Cooperatives, as well as technology integrations with Sonicwall, Zoom, and Mediasite. Leadership comprises President & CEO Tracy Doaks and VP & COO Tommy Jacobson.
MCNC Holding Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MCNC Holding Inc.
- Legal name
- MCNC
- Website
- https://mcnc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MCNC is a North Carolina nonprofit that operates the NCREN statewide fiber backbone, delivering broadband connectivity, managed cybersecurity, data center, collaboration, and consulting services to educational, research, healthcare, library, and government institutions across the state.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MCNC Holding Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Broadband Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet) (HDABAFAG), VPN Gateways & Concentrators (IPsec/SSL) (HDAFAFAC), Network & Connectivity Support (Wi‑Fi, VPN, Dorm/Residence Network) (EDALAMAF)
Keywords
Where MCNC Holding Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Durham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MCNC Holding Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Broadband/Connectivity Services: Provides high-speed internet connectivity and Ethernet services to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, governments, and research organizations across North Carolina
- Cybersecurity Services: Managed security services including endpoint protection, DNS filtering, vulnerability analysis, and security assessments
- Consulting Services: Advisory and consulting services for technology planning, network assessments, and security guidance
- Data Center Services: Hosting and data center services for client organizations
- Collaboration Services: Video conferencing and collaboration tools including Zoom Pro licenses and Mediasite deployment
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels12 records
MCNC Holding Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MCNC operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), a high-speed fiber backbone delivering broadband connectivity, managed cybersecurity, data center hosting, collaboration tools, and IT consulting services to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, governments, libraries, and research organizations across North Carolina. The nonprofit focuses on extending reliable internet access to rural and underserved communities while bundling endpoint protection, DNS filtering, vulnerability analysis, and advisory services.
Product overview
MCNC is a nonprofit organization providing broadband infrastructure and technology services across North Carolina. The core offering is NCREN (North Carolina Research and Education Network), a high-speed fiber network backbone serving educational, research, healthcare, and government institutions. The product portfolio includes connectivity services, managed cybersecurity solutions (Managed Endpoint Protection, DNS Filtering, Vulnerability Analysis, Cyber Hygiene Assessment), Advisory Consulting Services, Data Center services, and Collaboration tools. Supporting initiatives include NCShare for advanced computing infrastructure and the HERO Project for rural broadband expansion. Clients access services through the ServiceNow-based Client Portal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NCREN: North Carolina Research and Education Network - the broadband network operated by MCNC
- HERO Project
- NCShare
Products and services
- NCREN (North Carolina Research and Education Network)
- Connectivity Services
- Managed Endpoint Protection Service
- DNS Filtering Service
- Cyber Hygiene Assessment
- Active Vulnerability Analysis
- Secure Application Access
- Advisory Consulting Services
- Data Center Services
- Collaboration Services
- MCNC Client Portal
Quantifiable outcome
- DNS Filtering Service prevented phishing attack, paying for itself in one incident
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MCNC Holding Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments12 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
MCNC Holding Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MCNC Holding Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NC DIT (North Carolina Department of Information Technology)coreNC DIT is a key state partner working with MCNC on broadband infrastructure expansion initiatives, including the Broadband Infrastructure Office partnership for rural broadband deployment across North Carolina
- RENCI (Renaissance Computing Institute)coreStrategic partnership for research computing and cyberinfrastructure, enabling high-performance computing, data management, and collaborative research capabilities across North Carolina institutions
- The University of North Carolina SystemcoreMajor institutional partner representing the UNC system universities, providing research network connectivity and collaboration infrastructure
- NCShare CollaborationcoreMCNC initiative creating cyberinfrastructure for advanced computing, providing shared access to high-performance computing resources across North Carolina institutions
- NCTNA (NC Telehealth Network Association)corePartnership focused on broadband connectivity for healthcare, enabling telehealth services and connected healthcare applications across North Carolina
- eNCore PartnershipcoreMCNC initiative in partnership with eNCore (encorenc.org) focused on expanding broadband access in North Carolina communities
- The QuiltcoreMCNC is a member of The Quilt, the national coalition of non-profit U.S. regional Research and Education Networks (RENs) committed to innovation and advancing research and education networking
- North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU)majorPartnership with NCICU representing independent colleges and universities, focused on expanding broadband access and supporting educational technology initiatives
- NC Community CollegesmajorPartnership with North Carolina community college system supporting technology infrastructure and distance learning capabilities
- Public Schools of North Carolina (State Board of Education/Department of Public Instruction)majorPartnership with NC DPI supporting K-12 technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital learning initiatives across the state's public schools
- SLNC (State Library of North Carolina)majorPartnership supporting public library connectivity and digital services across North Carolina, particularly in underserved communities
- NC Electric CooperativesmajorPartnership with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives to expand rural broadband access to electric cooperative members across North Carolina
- NC DPS (Department of Public Safety)majorPartnership supporting public safety communications and emergency services infrastructure
- North Carolina AquariumsminorPartnership supporting connectivity for North Carolina Aquarium facilities
- Providence OmnistructuremajorPartnership bringing high-speed broadband to rural North Carolina towns, powering connectivity in communities like Williamston, NC
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MCNC Holding Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Internet2: National nonprofit computer networking consortium serving U.S. research and education institutions. Most directly comparable peer as both a nonprofit REN providing backbone connectivity, cybersecurity services, and trusted infrastructure for higher-ed and research communities.
- NYSERNet: New York State nonprofit research and education network providing high-speed connectivity and cybersecurity services to academic and research institutions. Closely mirrors MCNC's structure and service mix at the state level.
- MOREnet: Missouri's nonprofit research and education network providing connectivity, cybersecurity, and IT services to schools, libraries, and government. Same nonprofit REN model and customer vertical mix as MCNC.
- CENIC (Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California): California's nonprofit REN providing high-bandwidth networking to education, research, and community institutions. Operates an analogous business model to MCNC's NCREN at state scale, with comparable cybersecurity and data center adjacencies.
- OARnet: Ohio's statewide fiber backbone operated for research and education communities. Comparable state-scale nonprofit operator with research-computing and broadband infrastructure adjacency.
- NJEDge.Net: New Jersey's nonprofit consortium providing advanced networking and cybersecurity to higher education, K-12, and government. Direct comparability to MCNC's institutional customer mix and managed services.
- LEARN (Lonestar Education and Research Network): Texas-based nonprofit REN serving education, research, healthcare and government institutions. Operates a fiber backbone and managed services portfolio structurally analogous to MCNC's NCREN.
- GPN (Great Plains Network): Consortium of regional RENs serving the central U.S. research and education community. Comparable nonprofit consortium providing high-bandwidth networking and HPC access.
Regional players
- Connected Nation: National nonprofit focused on expanding broadband access to underserved communities. Operates in overlapping problem-space (rural digital divide) but at a national advocacy and planning level rather than owning infrastructure like MCNC's NCREN.
Broad incumbents
- Lumen Technologies: Major U.S. carrier with significant fiber backbone and managed services serving research, education and government. Competes with MCNC for institutional connectivity contracts, especially on long-haul and metro IP transport.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MCNC Holding Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceMCNC Holding Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MCNC Holding Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MCNC Holding Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MCNC Holding Inc. 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 MCNC Holding Inc.
What does MCNC Holding Inc. do?
MCNC operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), a high-speed fiber backbone delivering broadband connectivity, managed cybersecurity, data center hosting, collaboration tools, and IT consulting services to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, governments, libraries, and research organizations across North Carolina. The nonprofit focuses on extending reliable internet access to rural and underserved communities while bundling endpoint protection, DNS filtering, vulnerability analysis, and advisory services.
Is MCNC Holding Inc. a public or private company?
MCNC Holding Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MCNC Holding Inc. founded?
MCNC Holding Inc. was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MCNC Holding Inc. based?
MCNC Holding Inc. is headquartered in Durham, United States, in the North America region.
How does MCNC Holding Inc. make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Broadband/Connectivity Services are the primary driver. The others are cybersecurity Services, consulting Services, data Center Services and collaboration Services.
Who are MCNC Holding Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Internet2, NYSERNet, MOREnet, CENIC (Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California), OARnet, NJEDge.Net, LEARN (Lonestar Education and Research Network) and GPN (Great Plains Network). Connected Nation is listed as a regional player. Lumen Technologies is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does MCNC Holding Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for MCNC Holding Inc..
What industry is MCNC Holding Inc. in?
MCNC Holding Inc.'s product category is Broadband Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAG, Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP), with a secondary code of HDABAFAG, Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet). Its NAICS code is 5182.