Selling your MSP isn’t just about valuation — it’s about structure, truth, and preparation.
In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, breaks down what MSP owners regret most after selling — and how to avoid costly mistakes in deal structure, earnouts, staffing, and due diligence.
With over 200 closed IT services transactions, Rick delivers direct insight into what works, what fails, and why honesty and proper financial structure matter more than ego or movie myths.
🔎 Top 3 Highlights:
💡 Why poorly structured earnouts destroy value
💰 The difference between EBITDA and real free cash flow
👥 The staffing mistake that quietly kills MSP valuations
You’ll also learn:
• Why most buyers aren’t “evil”
• How over-employment reduces sale price
• The 10–15% growth test every MSP owner must answer
• What due diligence really uncovers
If you’re considering growth, acquisition, or eventual exit strategy, this conversation could protect your life’s work.
#MSP #MSPMergers #MSPAcquisition #MSPExit #ITServices #TechMergers #PrivateEquity #MSPGrowth #FreeCashFlow #DueDiligence #Earnout #BusinessExit #ChannelPartners #ITBusiness

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🔷 About Cogent Conversations
Cogent Conversations is a straight-talk podcast focused on IT mergers and acquisitions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and technology services firms.
Hosted by Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, the show dives deep into the realities of MSP growth, valuation, acquisition strategy, leadership transitions, and exit planning. 💼📈
This is not theory. It’s practical, real-world insight from years of buy-side and sell-side experience in the IT services space.
Whether you're:
✔️ Scaling your MSP
✔️ Preparing for a future exit
✔️ Exploring mergers or acquisitions
✔️ Looking to increase EBITDA and enterprise value
Cogent Conversations delivers clarity on what buyers actually look for — and how to run your business today so you’re ready tomorrow.
If you’re serious about growth, valuation, and long-term strategy in the MSP industry, this podcast belongs in your regular rotation.

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQZUgOM_11e6AHcS-dlqYg
🌐 Web: https://cogentmergers.com/
🔗 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogent-growth-partners-llc/
👤 Rick Murphy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramurph/


#CogentConversations #MSP #MSPMergers #SellYourMSP #ITMergers #ITAcquisition #ManagedServiceProvider #MSPValuation #EBITDA #ExitStrategy #BusinessGrowth #TechEntrepreneur #PrivateEquity #ChannelPartners #ITLeadership #MSPGrowth #SuccessionPlanning #TechMergers #JoeyPinz

💰 Thinking about selling your MSP? Or just preparing for growth?
This episode of Cogent Conversations delivers straight talk on MSP mergers and acquisitions, liquidity events, deal structures, and what really happens after closing.
Too many technology service providers misunderstand the difference between an exit and a liquidity event. Not every sale means you walk away. In fact, many founders stay, roll equity, and experience multiple “bites of the apple.”
In this episode, we break down:
🔥 Top 3 Highlights:
1️⃣ Exit vs. Liquidity Explained – Why most “exits” aren’t true exits and how rollover equity creates long-term upside.
2️⃣ Dual Arbitrage Strategy – How professional investors grow EBITDA and multiples simultaneously.
3️⃣ Due Diligence Reality Check – Why clean books, organized contracts, and strong financials increase valuation instantly.
You’ll also hear insights on earnouts, private equity structures, AI’s operational impact, and how to prepare emotionally and financially for life after the deal.
Whether you're building to sell or building to scale, this conversation helps MSP owners create a business buyers actually want.

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🔷 About Cogent Conversations
Cogent Conversations is a straight-talk podcast focused on IT mergers and acquisitions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and technology services firms.
Hosted by Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, the show dives deep into the realities of MSP growth, valuation, acquisition strategy, leadership transitions, and exit planning. 💼📈
This is not theory. It’s practical, real-world insight from years of buy-side and sell-side experience in the IT services space.
Whether you're:
✔️ Scaling your MSP
✔️ Preparing for a future exit
✔️ Exploring mergers or acquisitions
✔️ Looking to increase EBITDA and enterprise value
Cogent Conversations delivers clarity on what buyers actually look for — and how to run your business today so you’re ready tomorrow.
If you’re serious about growth, valuation, and long-term strategy in the MSP industry, this podcast belongs in your regular rotation.

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQZUgOM_11e6AHcS-dlqYg
🌐 Web: https://cogentmergers.com/
🔗 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogent-growth-partners-llc/
👤 Rick Murphy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramurph/


#CogentConversations #MSP #MSPMergers #SellYourMSP #ITMergers #ITAcquisition #ManagedServiceProvider #MSPValuation #EBITDA #ExitStrategy #BusinessGrowth #TechEntrepreneur #PrivateEquity #ChannelPartners #ITLeadership #MSPGrowth #SuccessionPlanning #TechMergers #JoeyPinz

When is the right time to sell your MSP? Is it market conditions… or mindset?
In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy of Cogent Growth Partners breaks down one of the biggest myths in IT M&A: waiting for the “perfect number” before selling.
Many MSP owners anchor themselves to a valuation goal — a retirement number — without understanding what actually drives buyer interest and liquidity events. The truth? Timing is rarely about tariffs, interest rates, or the economy. It’s about profitability, transferable customer relationships, and whether your business can run without you.
🔑 Top 3 Highlights:
1️⃣ 🧠 Why “I’m not ready yet” is usually a mindset issue
2️⃣ 💰 The difference between liquidity events and traditional exits
3️⃣ 📊 What buyers truly pay for — and why talent matters more than contracts
If you're a technology services provider (TSP), MSP, or MSSP considering growth, acquisition, or eventual sale, this episode gives you clarity on how to build a business buyers actually want.
No fluff. No hype. Just straight talk on IT mergers and acquisitions.

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🔷 About Cogent Conversations
Cogent Conversations is a straight-talk podcast focused on IT mergers and acquisitions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and technology services firms.
Hosted by Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, the show dives deep into the realities of MSP growth, valuation, acquisition strategy, leadership transitions, and exit planning. 💼📈
This is not theory. It’s practical, real-world insight from years of buy-side and sell-side experience in the IT services space.
Whether you're:
✔️ Scaling your MSP
✔️ Preparing for a future exit
✔️ Exploring mergers or acquisitions
✔️ Looking to increase EBITDA and enterprise value
Cogent Conversations delivers clarity on what buyers actually look for — and how to run your business today so you’re ready tomorrow.
If you’re serious about growth, valuation, and long-term strategy in the MSP industry, this podcast belongs in your regular rotation.

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQZUgOM_11e6AHcS-dlqYg
🌐 Web: https://cogentmergers.com/
🔗 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogent-growth-partners-llc/
👤 Rick Murphy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramurph/


#CogentConversations #MSP #MSPMergers #SellYourMSP #ITMergers #ITAcquisition #ManagedServiceProvider #MSPValuation #EBITDA #ExitStrategy #BusinessGrowth #TechEntrepreneur #PrivateEquity #ChannelPartners #ITLeadership #MSPGrowth #SuccessionPlanning #TechMergers #JoeyPinz