Haz

High-Level Overview

Haz Technologies is a technology company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and business cloud email solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and their partners.[1][3][7] It provides easy-to-use, secure communications tools including cloud voice, web/video conferencing, chat, presence, file backup/sync/share, business email, identity management, security, and archiving, while also offering strategic IT leadership for mission-driven organizations like nonprofits.[1][7] With 11-50 employees and estimated revenue of $5M-$20M, the company emphasizes vendor governance and supports growth through services in finance, operations, IT, and more, including the HAZWorxz Project that funds community nonprofits.[1][3][7]

Origin Story

Haz Technologies was founded in 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, with additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia.[1][3] Led by CEO Micheal Cudgel, the company emerged to address real-world IT needs of SMBs and mission-driven groups, starting with a focus on communications and evolving into comprehensive strategic IT support.[1][3][7] Early recognition includes the 2011 CDC Micro-Small Business Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award and panelist roles at events like the 2012 Small Business Conference and Expo, marking pivotal traction in secure, user-friendly tech delivery.[1] Its core philosophy—"Excel Past Good; Leap over Great," "Protect those who don’t know how to protect themselves," "Always Ready, Always Vigilant," and "Never stop learning and never stop growing"—guides its mission.[1]

Core Differentiators

• Hyper-focused UCaaS and Cloud Email for SMBs: Delivers tailored, secure solutions like cloud voice, conferencing, chat, and archiving, prioritizing ease-of-use for businesses and partners without deep IT expertise.[1]
• Strategic IT Leadership for Nonprofits: Offers end-to-end support in vendor governance, finance, operations, workforce, marketing, and IT to make mission-driven organizations self-sustaining.[1][7]
• Community Impact via HAZWorxz: Directs profits to vetted nonprofits for unrestricted funding, focusing on family and community engagement.[7]
• Proven Partnerships and Vigilance: Collaborates with trusted providers like Comodo, Bitdefender, Contivio, Ubiquiti Networks, and Unite Center, underpinned by a philosophy of constant growth and protection.[1]
• Right-Sized Solutions: Aligns technology with organizational vision, people, and systems for intentional scaling.[7]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Haz Technologies rides the wave of UCaaS and cloud communications growth, targeting SMBs underserved by enterprise-focused giants amid rising demand for affordable, secure collaboration tools post-remote work shifts.[1][3] Timing aligns with SMB digital transformation, where easy integration of voice, video, email, and security addresses hybrid work and cybersecurity threats, bolstered by market forces like increasing cloud adoption and nonprofit tech needs.[1][7] By empowering SMBs and nonprofits with vigilant, scalable IT—plus profit-sharing for social good—it influences the ecosystem by bridging accessibility gaps, fostering self-reliance, and supporting partners in education and business continuity.[1][7]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Haz Technologies is poised to expand its UCaaS footprint as SMB cloud spending accelerates, potentially deepening AI-enhanced security and nonprofit tools via HAZWorxz amid trends like zero-trust architectures and hybrid cloud mandates.[1][3][7] Evolving regulations on data privacy and rising cyber threats will amplify its "always vigilant" edge, while strategic partnerships could drive revenue beyond $20M. Its influence may grow by humanizing tech for underserved sectors, solidifying its role as a right-sized partner in a consolidating UCaaS market—echoing its founding promise to protect and propel mission-driven growth.[1][7]