Kalamazoo, MI – Plymouth Management Company (PMC) announced its third investment from Plymouth Venture Partners Fund II (PVP II) in Lynx Network Group (LNG) of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lynx Network Group is a full service telecommunications company specializing in advancing high-speed next generation infrastructure in tier 2 and tier 3 markets where traditional infrastructure is not capable of meeting demand. The company is currently constructing 1,000 miles of fiber optic network infrastructure throughout Michigan for the purposes of connecting businesses, organizations and wireless service providers that demand resilient and ultrafast infrastructure. The fiber optic
network project will connect communities throughout the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern
boundaries of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, as well as Central and Mid Michigan. Among the cities slated
to be part of the fiber optic network are Monroe, Adrian, Hillsdale, Coldwater, Three Rivers, Benton
Harbor, South Haven, Zeeland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Ludington, Manistee, Beulah, Traverse City,
Kalkaska, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Mackinaw City, Gaylord, Grayling, Houghton Lake, Clare, Mt. Pleasant,
Midland, Bay City, and Oscoda.
The goal of the project is to provide high-performance, lower-cost, fiber-based communications services
(including internet access) to underserved areas throughout Michigan. Funding for this fiber optic
network project will help Lynx Network Group to attract and retain jobs for Michigan-based businesses
that require advanced, high-speed communications to remain competitive. Currently underway, Lynx Network Group estimates that more than half of the project will be complete by year-end, and the full network will be operational in 2012.
Mark Horne, PMC’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “The management team at Lynx Network Group
brings great vision and a track record of solid execution. PMC’s investment into Lynx will further expand
their capabilities and significantly change the landscape of Michigan and its communities. The funding
also provides the company with a strong financial foundation to support growth for years to come.”
Gregg Rutgers, Founder at Lynx Network Group added, “We are excited to be in partnership with PMC
for this expansion and growth stage. Their fund has demonstrated a real commitment to Michigan
companies; we’re looking forward to adding their team’s exceptional business and industry expertise to
our Board.”
About Plymouth Venture Partners II, L.P.
Fund II is a follow-on fund to Plymouth Venture Partners Fund I. Plymouth Venture Partners I became
fully invested in 2009 after completing investments in 29 companies. Plymouth Venture Partners II
invests in early expansion stage companies in the Great Lakes region. Plymouth Ventures II is actively
looking for great early expansion-stage companies in this region. Visit www.plymouthvc.com for more
information.
About Plymouth Management Company
Plymouth Management Company is the manager for Plymouth Venture Partners I and Plymouth
Venture Partners II. The company has four partners: Mark Horne, Ian Bund, Bob Savage, and Jeff Barry,
with offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio. Visit www.plymouthvc.com for more information
About Lynx Network Group
Founded in 2003, by three Michigan-born telecom industry veterans, Lynx Network Group is a premier
provider of wholesale and retail telecommunication services in the Midwest. As a commercial
participant in the REACH 3MC network, Lynx Network Group provides a broad range of end-to-end
communications solutions to Businesses, CLECs, ILECS, Resellers, and Wireline/Wireless Carriers. Our
network scalability and depth of services is coupled with a service management team that enables
businesses to advance. Visit www.lynxnetworkgroup.com for more information.