In this MSP Zone conversation, Ramsey Sahyoun, co-founder and M&A partner at Evergreen, discusses the unique positioning of Evergreen as a holding company for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). He explains the company’s vision to be a long-term home for businesses and their leaders, emphasizing the importance of preserving brand identity and team structure post-acquisition. The discussion covers the challenges of attracting MSPs, the decentralized strategy versus traditional roll-ups, and the operational synergies that Evergreen fosters among its portfolio companies. Ramsey also highlights the generational transition within the MSP industry and the impact of financial de-risking on leadership styles.
Highlights:
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- Evergreen aims to be the best home for businesses and their leaders.
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- The company focuses on long-term ownership rather than short-term gains.
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- Decentralization is key to Evergreen’s strategy, avoiding traditional roll-up pitfalls.
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- MSP owners often seek a succession plan when transitioning out of their businesses.
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- Churn is a critical issue in the managed services industry.
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- Evergreen has a common ERP and CRM system for operational efficiency.
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- The company encourages collaboration among its portfolio companies.
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- Attracting MSPs requires cutting through industry noise and competition.
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- Evergreen operates in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
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- The company seeks MSPs with a minimum of $3 million in revenue and $500,000 in EBITDA.