MCNC Holding Inc.

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.

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

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

• Broadband infrastructure services
• Network connectivity solutions
• Managed cybersecurity services
• Data center hosting
• Technology consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Broadband/Connectivity Services: Provides high-speed internet connectivity and Ethernet services to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, governments, and research organizations across North Carolina
2. Cybersecurity Services: Managed security services including endpoint protection, DNS filtering, vulnerability analysis, and security assessments
3. Consulting Services: Advisory and consulting services for technology planning, network assessments, and security guidance
4. Data Center Services: Hosting and data center services for client organizations
5. 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

Core 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

Named customers15 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NC DIT (North Carolina Department of Information Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC 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 or Co-development PartnerStrategic 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 SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor institutional partner representing the UNC system universities, providing research network connectivity and collaboration infrastructure
• NCShare CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCNC initiative creating cyberinfrastructure for advanced computing, providing shared access to high-performance computing resources across North Carolina institutions
• NCTNA (NC Telehealth Network Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on broadband connectivity for healthcare, enabling telehealth services and connected healthcare applications across North Carolina
• eNCore PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCNC initiative in partnership with eNCore (encorenc.org) focused on expanding broadband access in North Carolina communities
• The QuiltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCNC 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)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NCICU representing independent colleges and universities, focused on expanding broadband access and supporting educational technology initiatives
• NC Community CollegesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting public library connectivity and digital services across North Carolina, particularly in underserved communities
• NC Electric CooperativesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives to expand rural broadband access to electric cooperative members across North Carolina
• NC DPS (Department of Public Safety)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting public safety communications and emergency services infrastructure
• North Carolina AquariumsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting connectivity for North Carolina Aquarium facilities
• Providence OmnistructuremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/mcnc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MCNCvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/mcnc.ncren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mcnc
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcnc_ncren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MCNC Holding Inc.