The Deal
New Charter Technologies announced its acquisition of Verus Corporation on November 22, 2024, marking another strategic addition to its growing MSP platform. The transaction brings a Midwest-based managed service provider with 31 employees and a co-managed IT services model into New Charter's portfolio. Deal terms were not disclosed.
Verus Corporation has demonstrated solid organic growth at 13.3% annually, positioning it as an attractive target for platform consolidation. The company's co-managed approach, where they work alongside existing IT teams rather than replacing them entirely, represents a service model that has gained traction among mid-market clients seeking to augment rather than outsource their technology capabilities.
New Charter Technologies operates as a PE-backed platform focused specifically on MSP acquisitions. This transaction continues the company's rollup strategy of acquiring regional managed service providers to build scale and geographic coverage across multiple markets.
Strategic Logic
This acquisition serves New Charter's geographic expansion objectives by establishing a foothold in the Midwest market. Platform companies typically prioritize deals that either add new territories or strengthen existing market positions, and Verus delivers clear geographic value in a region where New Charter previously lacked presence.
The target's co-managed IT services model aligns well with current market trends. This approach appeals to companies that want to retain internal IT staff while supplementing with specialized expertise and 24/7 monitoring capabilities. Key strategic fit factors include:
- Service Model Alignment: Co-managed services complement traditional MSP offerings and expand addressable market
- Growth Profile: 13.3% organic growth indicates strong market demand and execution capability
- Team Size: 31 employees provides meaningful scale addition without integration complexity
- Client Relationships: Established Midwest client base offers cross-selling opportunities for expanded service portfolio
The deal also supports New Charter's platform thesis of consolidating fragmented regional MSPs. Verus brings proven operational processes and client relationships that can be enhanced through additional capital and resources from the platform.
Valuation Context
Without disclosed deal terms, this transaction provides limited direct valuation insight. However, the buyer's willingness to pursue a 31-employee MSP with solid growth metrics suggests continued appetite for quality regional players in the current market environment.
Recent MSP transactions have generally traded in the 4-8x EBITDA range, with premiums for companies demonstrating recurring revenue stability, geographic diversity, and specialized service capabilities. Co-managed service providers often command valuation premiums due to their hybrid model's appeal to mid-market clients and typically higher retention rates.
The timing of this deal, coming in late 2024, reflects ongoing consolidation activity in the MSP sector despite broader economic uncertainties. PE-backed platforms continue to execute on rollup strategies, particularly for targets with demonstrated organic growth and defensible market positions. The focus on regional MSPs with specific service specializations suggests buyers are prioritizing quality over pure scale in their acquisition criteria.
What MSP Owners Should Know
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Co-Managed Models Command Attention: Verus's co-managed approach attracted PE platform interest, demonstrating that specialized service delivery models can differentiate MSPs in a crowded market. This hybrid approach often yields higher client retention and premium pricing compared to traditional fully-managed services.
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Growth Metrics Drive Platform Interest: The target's 13.3% organic growth rate likely played a significant role in attracting buyer attention. MSP owners should focus on documenting and sustaining organic growth rates above 10% to maximize platform appeal and valuation multiples.
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Regional Players Remain Acquisition Targets: Despite industry consolidation, well-run regional MSPs continue to attract platform buyers seeking geographic expansion. The 31-employee size demonstrates that meaningful exits don't require massive scale, but do require operational excellence and market positioning.
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Platform Rollup Activity Continues: New Charter's ongoing acquisition activity indicates that PE-backed platforms maintain capital availability and acquisition appetite for quality targets. MSP owners considering exits should expect continued buyer interest from platform companies, particularly those offering complementary geographic coverage or service capabilities.