By Lori HawkinsData center operator Codero Hosting has been acquired by a telecom investment group in a move intended to fuel a new phase of growth.Founded in 2009, Codero provides cloud hosting services to several thousand companies worldwide, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Customers include American Express, Delta and Expedia.The company was founded in Lenexa, Kansas and maintains its headquarters there, but most of its operations, including sales, marketing, customer support and development are based in Austin.Most of the company’s executive team, including CEO Emil Sayegh are also based in Austin, where most of its workforce expansion will take place.Codero was purchased by BLM Acquisition Corp., which is a newly formed consortium of 32 regional telecom and broadband providers. BLM, based in New Hampshire, bought Codero from Catalyst Investors, which was an early backer of the company.Sayegh said the deal includes a significant investment, which will allow Codero to develop new products and services, expand sales efforts and expand its reach in the U.S. and internationally.Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.Sayegh said Codero considered a number of options to fund its expansion.“We had several groups interested in acquiring us including competitors and private equity groups,” he said. “We opted the third approach, which was a unique acquisition by 32 telecom companies that will also be partners. This will allow Codero to stay independent, and there’s no job elimination. Instead, we’ll be adding jobs.”Codero has about 100 employees, including 30 in Austin. The company, which recently moved to larger offices at the Citadel on North Capital of Texas Highway, plans to add up to 20 employees in Austin in the next year, mainly in engineering, sales and customer support.Last year, Codero received $8 million in financing from Silicon Valley Bank and Farnam Street Financial.The company does not disclose financial information, but Sayegh said Codero is profitable and has experienced double-digit revenue growth since 2012.Data center operator Codero Hosting has been acquired by a telecom investment group in a move intended to fuel a new phase of growth.Founded in 2009, Codero provides cloud hosting services to several thousand companies worldwide, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Customers include American Express, Delta and Expedia.