Stryve continues acquisition spree with a deal for Kilkenny's BITS

Irish IT and security specialist has made a series of acquisitions as it scales in Ireland and globally

Gavin Dixon, chief strategy officer; Andrew Tobin, chief executive; and Paul Byrne, chief operating officer, Stryve. Picture: Dylan Vaughan

Irish IT and security specialist Stryve has acquired Kilkenny-based BITS South-East Limited (BITS) for an undisclosed sum.

The cloud and infrastructure specialist Stryve, launched in 2019, has made a series of acquisitions as it scales in Ireland and globally. This includes its 2023 merger with Galway-based managed service provider (MSP) Sleepless and the launch of the Stryve Platform in 2025.

Also an MSP, BITS was established in 2001, providing technology solutions to organisations across Ireland. BITS senior executives Gavin Dixon and Paul Byrne will join Stryve’s leadership team as chief strategy officer (CSO) and chief operating officer (COO), respectively.

The combined headcount will exceed 70 people, with specialist expertise across IT managed services, infrastructure, technology consultancy, security and AI-powered automation.

The company will continue to operate from its offices in Naas, Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin. Stryve indicated it was open to further acquisition opportunities. 

Stryve chief executive Andrew Tobin said: "BITS has built an exceptional reputation as a leading Irish MSP over more than 25 years. We welcome Gavin and Paul, who will play a huge role in bringing the combined business to the next level. BITS’s strong operational expertise will greatly complement our technical and security capabilities, and expand our regional footprint to serve Irish clients better."

"From the outset, it was clear that both businesses shared the same vision. We are looking forward to working together to make this vision a reality." He added.

Gavin Dixon, who founded BITS in 2001, commented: “When I founded BITS 25 years ago, it was with a simple ambition: to be a trusted, long‑term IT partner for Irish businesses. As the needs of our clients and the wider IT landscape evolved, it became clear that scale, security and innovation would be critical to delivering on that promise into the future. 

"Joining forces with Stryve allows us to do exactly that, while staying true to our people‑first culture as an Irish‑owned business. This is a natural next chapter for BITS, our clients and our team.” 

Paul Byrne said: “Having reviewed the MSP provider landscape in 2019 here in Ireland and ultimately investing in BITS that same year, we set out a 10-year vision to 2030. A vision that was shared with the team and updated at quarterly intervals, since then. A vision that included growth, service maturity and more opportunities for both clients and staff alike. 

"I very much see our coming together with Stryve as an extension of that original vision.”