ForzaDash MSPInfluencer M&A Titans Award 2026 Winner
Recognizing the Dealmakers Shaping the MSP Industry
The ForzaDash MSPInfluencer M&A Titans Awards recognize the individuals and organizations creating meaningful value through mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and successful business transitions across the MSP ecosystem.
As consolidation continues to reshape the managed-services industry, strong M&A leadership requires more than closing transactions. It demands market knowledge, thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, careful integration, and a commitment to creating lasting value for buyers, sellers, employees, and clients.
For 2026, we are proud to recognize one standout honoree whose experience and influence exemplify those qualities.
What Does the M&A Titans Award Recognize?
The M&A Titans Award honors key participants in MSP industry consolidation and growth, including:
Private equity and investment firms
MSP platforms and strategic buyers
M&A advisors and bankers
MSP owners who have successfully sold or partnered
Leaders responsible for integration and post-acquisition value creation
The award focuses on impact, execution, leadership, and long-term value—not deal volume alone.
How Is the Winner Selected?
Applications are tailored to each nominee’s role within the M&A ecosystem. The review considers:
M&A strategy and execution
Transaction experience
Acquisition or advisory activity
Value creation following a transaction
Integration planning and scalability
Market knowledge and thought leadership
Differentiation within a competitive market
Real-world outcomes and lessons learned
The selection process looks beyond the number of transactions to consider how effectively the nominee brings organizations together, supports stakeholders, and contributes to the continued development of the MSP market.
Meet the 2026 M&A Titans Award Winner
Rick Murphy
M&A Advisor | Cogent Growth Partners
Rick Murphy is the 2026 ForzaDash MSPInfluencer M&A Titans Award winner.
Rick and Cogent Growth Partners specialize in buy-side M&A advisory services for technology service providers. Rather than operating as a traditional sell-side brokerage, the firm serves as an outsourced corporate-development resource for buyers seeking MSPs and other technology service companies that fit their strategic objectives.
With 16 years of experience in the market, Cogent Growth Partners reports completing more than 200 transactions for nearly 100 clients. Its work encompasses targeted outreach, acquisition-candidate evaluation, due diligence, financial modeling, transaction documentation, project management, and post-closing financial reconciliation.
In the 24 months preceding his application, Rick reported involvement in 25 MSP acquisitions.
Follow Cogent Conversations Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CogentConversationsÂ
A Specialized Approach to MSP M&A
Rick’s approach is grounded in deep specialization within the technology services market.
Cogent Growth Partners works with private equity firms, private equity-backed platforms, privately held MSPs, and professional-services organizations pursuing acquisition-led growth. The firm helps buyers identify businesses that align with their goals, including:
Operationally mature MSPs
Companies with strong recurring revenue
Healthcare and legal technology providers
Cybersecurity and compliance-focused firms
Technology companies serving regulated industries
Owners preparing for a transition or new stage of growth
This sector-specific focus allows Rick and his team to evaluate more than financial performance. They also consider operational maturity, technology platforms, service quality, management strength, sales capabilities, customer agreements, and cultural alignment.
Creating Value Beyond the Closing
A successful transaction does not end when the documents are signed.
Rick emphasizes early and deliberate integration planning, encouraging buyers and sellers to begin preparing before closing and continue working together throughout the transition.
This includes considering:
Operational and financial synergies
Team and leadership alignment
Technology-stack consolidation
Client and employee retention
Organizational communication
Post-closing financial adjustments
Long-term integration objectives
His philosophy is that thoughtful preparation and cooperation between both organizations are essential to turning a completed deal into a successful combined company.
Demonstrated Long-Term Impact
One example shared in Rick’s application began with a professional-services client entering the MSP market through acquisition.
Over nearly a decade, Cogent Growth Partners supported that client through an initial MSP transaction and seven subsequent acquisitions. The resulting IT services group grew to more than $50 million in revenue, while the broader professional-services organization surpassed $150 million.
The story reflects the long-term value that can be created when acquisition strategy, leadership opportunity, and effective integration work together.
Practical Guidance for MSP Owners
Rick encourages MSP owners to prepare for a future transaction long before they intend to sell.
That preparation includes strengthening financial reporting, building recurring revenue, maintaining disciplined operations, developing a capable management team, improving customer and employee agreements, and operating the business in a way that can withstand buyer scrutiny.
He also encourages owners to view a transaction as a potential liquidity event rather than simply an exit. With the right structure and partner, a sale can become the beginning of a new professional and financial chapter.
Congratulations to Rick Murphy
Rick Murphy’s specialized experience, disciplined buy-side approach, and record of helping technology service companies complete and integrate successful acquisitions distinguish him within the MSP M&A community.
We congratulate Rick Murphy and Cogent Growth Partners on being named the 2026 ForzaDash MSPInfluencer M&A Titans Award winner.
