Convio acquires GetActive

Convio is one of the largest technology providers to large nonprofit organizations (and did some early work for the Dean 2004.) GetActive is a bit closer to the political space - with clients like the AFL-CIO, SEIU, Planned Parenthood, and more.

Well, yesterday, they announced that Convio is acquiring GetActive.

The acquisition will enable Convio to offer the most complete set of Internet solutions available that are specifically designed for nonprofits, associations and institutions of higher education. Convio plans to leverage GetActive's strong expertise in advocacy, its highly regarded content management platform, as well as the company's strong services operation based in Washington, D.C. The combined company will serve more than 1,400 customers. Customers of the combined company also are expected to benefit from Convio's industry-leading eCRM technology and expertise in online fundraising and marketing.

Both companies once sought clients among political campaigns - but seem to have been pulling away from that market space in recent years.

Already, blog reaction is mixed. Judi Sohn doesn't know "whether to laugh or cry." At the Nonprofit Tech Blog, they're wondering if this will be the impetus for an open API for data.

And there's lots of chatter over at EchoDitto's blog.