Innovative Events Launches M&A Podcast Partnership to Empower MSP Growth

Updated on 2025-10-15
by Amy Slater

Content by: Amy Slater from Innovative Events

Today Innovative Events is thrilled to announce a new venture: we are partnering with a leading M&A consultant to co-produce a podcast series focused on mergers and acquisitions in the technology space. This collaboration signals a deepening of our commitment to bringing high-value insights to the IT, managed services, and technology leadership communities. Through this podcast, we’ll unpack the practical, financial, and strategic dimensions of M&A deals—how deals are structured, what makes a target attractive, pitfalls to avoid, valuation strategies, integration challenges, and lessons from recent transactions.

As part of this initiative, Innovative Events and our M&A partner will jointly host episodes, roundtables, and case-study deep dives. We’ll feature guest experts—dealmakers, legal advisors, investment firms, and MSP executives who’ve been on both sides of the table. Our goal: to make M&A more transparent and actionable for tech service firms, buyers, sellers, and investors.

Why M&A Matters More Than Ever in Technology Services

Over the past few quarters, M&A activity in the MSP and IT services sector has rebounded sharply. In Q4 2024 alone, deal value in the MSP space surged to $2.2 billion, up dramatically versus the prior quarter. (drakestar.com) Similarly, early-2025 data suggests continued momentum in MSP consolidation, with private equity and strategic acquirers showing strong interest in firms with predictable recurring revenues, scalable operations, and security/cyber capabilities. (solganick.com)

One striking illustration: The 20 MSP, a roll-up consolidator in the channel, recently announced its 40th acquisition in under three years, underscoring how aggressive consolidation strategies are reshaping the landscape. (crn.com)

A few broader M&A trends are also shaping deal strategy in tech:

Larger, strategic deals dominate: Across sectors, middle-to-large transactions are commanding more attention. (For perspective, JPMorgan reported a 27 % year-over-year jump in global M&A volume in early 2025.) (businessinsider.com)
AI / cybersecurity angle: Technology buyers are paying premiums for firms with AI, automation, or advanced cybersecurity capabilities.
Platform vs tuck-in deals: Some acquirers are building platform MSPs (scaling horizontally, buying regional providers), while others prefer tuck-ins for capability add-ons.
Valuation discipline and integration risk: In tighter markets, buyers emphasize clean financials, strong margins, low customer concentration, and well-documented processes. Also critical: having a disciplined integration playbook.

These dynamics make the planning and execution of MSP deals more complex—and more opportunity-rich—than ever.

Hot Topics in MSP M&A Today

Below are a few of the most interesting trends and deal examples you should watch:

1. AI-infused MSP models

Titan recently raised $74 million and acquired MSP RFA to build an AI-enabled IT services platform. Their thesis: combine human expertise with AI agents to deliver faster, smarter managed services. (channelfutures.com) This hybrid model is increasingly attractive to buyers looking to scale operations efficiently.

2. Cybersecurity and email security as value boosters

Security is a must in today’s MSP valuations. Proofpoint’s acquisition of Hornetsecurity to expand its reach into MSP/SMB email security is one example of how buyers are doubling down on defense capabilities. (techzine.eu)

3. Regional consolidation and scale plays

Aligned Tek’s recent acquisition of a Virginia-based MSP (ProActive Information Management) is a case in point. The target will remain led by its former owner, but now under Aligned Tek’s umbrella—strengthening geographic reach and adding human capital. (channelfutures.com)

4. Valuation levers and due diligence pressure

Craig Fulton of Evergreen has offered insight into what helps MSP owners maximize value: reducing customer concentration, standardizing service delivery, documenting recurring-revenue streams, and maintaining margin discipline. (channelinsider.com) In many cases, buyers will demand clean audits, formal KPIs, and seller-side proofs of process maturity.

What This Means for MSP Owners & Buyers

If you’re an MSP owner considering a sale or taking on acquisitions, here are key takeaways:

Get your house in order early: Investing in standardized procedures, clear financial reporting, customer diversification, and scalable delivery models will dramatically improve your attractiveness to buyers.
Know your differentiators: Whether it’s cloud architecture, cybersecurity, industry vertical focus, or automation, your unique edges are what drive valuation premiums.
Have strategic alignment: Buyers will assess cultural fit, integration risk, and overlap. Be proactive in thinking about integration (people, systems, operations) well before a deal closes.
Choose the right partner/advisor: M&A is not just about valuation—it’s about execution risk, deal structuring, earnouts, tax, and post-merger operations.

Join the Conversation—and Reach Out

At Innovative Events, we’re excited to embark on this M&A podcast journey with our consultant partner, bringing you insights you can use in real time. Whether you’re exploring a sale, acquisition, or just want to understand how these market shifts affect your strategy, we’d love to talk.

If you’re considering buying or selling a technology or MSP business, connect with Amy Slater — she’s standing by to help you with next steps, resources, or an exploratory consultation.

Let’s build smarter, stronger, and more strategic growth pathways together.