Latest news with #RyanCarr
Business Wire
06-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Zentro and BAI Connect Merge to Create Leading Multifamily ISP
CHICAGO & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zentro and BAI Connect, two of the country's fastest-growing providers of bulk high-speed internet to multifamily communities, today announced a strategic merger under the shared ownership of M/C Partners, a leading private equity firm focused on communications infrastructure and services. 'This is more than a merger - it's a strategic alignment of two leading MDU-focused ISPs,' said Doug Gilstrap, CEO of the combined company. This merger brings together two high-performing regional providers into a unified organization operating under the Zentro brand. With a complementary geographic footprint, deep technical expertise in MDU internet engineering, and a shared commitment to customer service, the new Zentro becomes one of the largest independent providers of symmetrical multi-gigabit internet to multifamily properties across the United States. 'This is more than a merger - it's a strategic alignment of two leading MDU-focused ISPs,' said Doug Gilstrap, CEO of the combined company. 'Together, we're creating a scalable platform that meets the growing needs of property owners, developers, and residents with a future-ready network, superior local service, and a customer-first approach. In addition, our framework sets the foundation to efficiently support future growth through strategic acquisitions.' The combined company now serves over 100,000 residents and 2,000+ properties across key metros including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit and Dallas and 10 more major metro markets. The combination creates greater scale to leverage Zentro's hybrid fiber infrastructure, streamline operations, and accelerate the rollout of next-generation services - including symmetrical 10 Gig internet and Zentro Managed Wi-Fi, an all-in-one solution delivering high-speed connectivity and IoT support tailored for today's multifamily communities. 'Internet is not just a utility - it's a core decision driver for prospective residents and a differentiating amenity for ownership,' said Ryan Carr, Partner at M/C Partners. 'By combining these two standout providers that have established leadership in their respective markets, we've created a company with deep expertise in a growing category and positioned them to take the lead. This is a specialized market with unique needs that the combined management team understands better than anyone.' BAI Connect will transition to the Zentro brand over the coming months. In the meantime, the combined team has begun delivering coordinated client solutions and support under a unified strategy. About Zentro The newly combined Zentro is the largest independent, MDU-focused bulk Internet Service Provider in the U.S. outside of Florida, serving over 100,000+ subscribers across 15 major metro markets. The company delivers industry-leading internet solutions including symmetrical 10 Gig internet, Managed Wi-Fi and video services over a private, next-generation hybrid fiber network. Specializing in multi-gig solutions for high-rise and multifamily (MDU) communities, Zentro is a rapidly growing ISP, with a near-national footprint and covering major metro markets like Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, Southern California, Denver, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Portland, Oregon. Zentro's tailored services include multi-gig internet and Managed Wi-Fi. With flexible bulk solutions that are trusted by top property management companies and commercial internet solutions serving iconic brands, the company's innovative solutions enable clients to stand out in competitive markets. For more information, visit
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Block fan favourites return to TV for brand new renovation series: 'So excited'
Three years after competing on The Block, Rachel and Ryan Carr are returning to TV with a brand new renovation series. The fan favourite couple have set themselves a challenge to transform a tired property on the South Coast of New South Wales into their dream holiday home on Holiday Home Makeover with Rachel and Ryan. Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle ahead of the show's premiere on Sunday, Rachel and Ryan admit they're 'so excited' for Australia to see a different side to them following their tumultuous experience on The Block. Fans would remember that the couple famously replaced Elle Ferguson and Joel Patful after they quit the reality show on day two, and were only given 30 hours' notice before joining the cast. RELATED: The Block's Jess Eva and Norm Hogan announce shock split: 'Still family' MAFS' Dave Thomas Hand confirms appearance on The Block 2025: 'Super fun' Why The Block 'villain' turned down I'm A Celebrity at the last minute 'We had a very different Block experience than the majority of The Block contestants in that we got there late,' Rachel reflects. 'It was mayhem, and it took us a couple of weeks to really find our feet, so I don't think that the viewers got to see as much of the fun and the funny. 'So I feel like you're gonna see more of who we are and the fun that we like to have, and mix that in with the kind of renovation that we like to do, and you see our kids and the family. What you're seeing now is truly us.' Rachel and Ryan explain that they bought the property in 2023 shortly after they competed on The Block and quickly came up with the plan to transform it into an 'elevated reno' that's both a holiday home and a holiday rental. 'We were like, we want to take the best bits of luxury hotels and transform that with the best bits of a home and make this hybrid holiday rental that we can also have for our family too,' Rachel details. 'We were talking to the network about it, and we were like, 'Why don't we film it?'. And it just took off from there.' After filming took place and the renovation was completed, the series was then reworked by Channel Nine over the past year to become a primetime show. 'They took what we had and they have elevated it and made it this absolutely bells and whistles prime time show,' Rachel says, while Ryan adds, 'It was worth waiting around for'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Block (@theblock) The couple admit the project was definitely 'a lot of work', and they couldn't have done it without their prior experience on The Block. 'Before going on The Block, there's no way we could have committed to a 14-week renovation that big,' Ryan shares. 'Coming off something like that, you realise what you're actually capable of,' Rachel agrees. 'We were in that momentum at that point. We were like, 'Let's just get in there and get it started and let's make it bigger'. We were riding that train.' SHOP: ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 💅 Aussie company making beauty more accessible and less of a burden 💋 Rita Ora's new range that keeps selling out in Sephora: 'Effortless to use' Rachel and Ryan add that while they were happy to put pressure on themselves to complete the renovation in a 14-week timeframe, they wouldn't have enjoyed the experience as much if it were in a competition setting. 'This is something we've always wanted to do, so we just had enough pressure riding on that and thought, we've got to nail this,' Ryan says. 'We want people to see it, and we also want to impress ourselves on what we can do.' 'And we reveal to a few special people along the way,' Rachel teases. 'There are a few special people who come in there who really know and understand holiday homes and design, and they give their feedback. So it's really nice.'
