Channel Brief: The 20 MSP, Produce8, Evergreen, Okta, More

Grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage and check out the return of our regular market briefing for managed services providers (MSPs), IT service providers (ITSPs), technology service providers (TSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs) cybersecurity consultants, systems integrators, VARs, independent software vendors (ISVs), and distributors.

Scroll down for a quick view of upcoming in-person channel and MSP events at the bottom of this post (while we spiff up our industry calendar behind the scenes. It will return!)

And please send your news tips, information, and industry chatter to editorial director [email protected].

Sip up.

A. Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

1. Another acquisition - Plano, Texas IT service provider, The 20 MSP acquired the managed IT services division of Detroit-based Data Tech Cafe. This deal marks The 20 MSP’s 27th acquisition since 2022.

2. Job change - Channel icon Marco La Vecchia has joined digital work analytics platform Produce8 as chief revenue officer (CRO). La Vecchia’s experience includes serving as North American MSP channel head at N-able, a leader in global channels at AVG, and most recently CRO at Fully Managed (FM) by TELUS Business.

3. Promotions - Change is afoot at private equity MSP investor Evergreen, including the launch of a new vertical business unit for MSPs and two promotions. Tim Burke will serve as partner and DJ Dorff will lead the new vertical group within Evergreen. Watch for full coverage of this story at ChannelE2E soon. 

4. Yet another acquisition - Digital platforms service provider Ahead has acquired IT services firm Computer Design and Integration LLC, marking an exit for One Equity Partners. The combined company will have $3.7 billion in gross revenue and over 2,500 employees across 40 locations globally. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is technology M&A deal number 26 that ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert have covered so far in 2024.

5. And layoffs - Identity platform Okta will lay off 400 employees or 7% of its workforce in its most recent round of cuts in order to reduce costs. Last year Okta cut 300, blaming pandemic overhiring. 

6. Early Spring - Happy Groundhog Day! Word from Gobbler's Knob is that we can expect an early spring. 

B. In-Person MSP and Channel Partner Events