Richmond-based technology consulting firm Amentra Inc. has been acquired by Red Hat Inc., a provider of open-source software and services based in Raleigh, N.C.

In Amentra's short history -- it was started in March 2000 -- it has earned several accolades. Amentra or its top officers were ranked in Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for three years in a row, won Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in Virginia for 2007 and was included in Smart CEO's Future 50.

The announcement came at midday today.

"Amentra is excited to become part of the Red Hat family," said CEO Matt Ernst. He said the deal will accelerate growth. "Amentra's existing customers will continue to receive the benefit of Amentra's model, as they do today, with the breadth and depth that comes from the many synergies that Red Hat and Amentra bring to each other."

Amentra has more than 140 employees in locations including Washington, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., Tampa, Fla., and Richmond.