Houlihan Lokey Advises CompassMSP
Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that CompassMSP, LLC, a managed IT services provider, has been acquired by Agellus Capital (Agellus). The transaction closed on December 31, 2024.
Agellus is accelerating its growth in the IT services industry with the acquisition of CompassMSP, further strengthening its platform investment as a leading force in managed IT and cybersecurity solutions. Following its acquisition of BlackPoint IT Services (BlackPoint) in September 2024, this latest investment expands Agellus’ vision of building a nationwide, best-in-class managed IT services provider (MSP) and managed security services provider (MSSP).
CompassMSP will combine with BlackPoint, creating a robust, multi-regional platform to deliver unparalleled value to customers and the market. This strategic combination aligns with CompassMSP’s long-term vision of becoming a national IT and cybersecurity managed services leader.
CompassMSP, headquartered in West Hartford, Connecticut, serves small and midsized enterprises in the Midwest and Eastern U.S., offering a comprehensive suite of IT and cybersecurity solutions, including managed services, network monitoring, compliance, and cloud solutions.
BlackPoint, based in Seattle, expands the platform’s strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain region with its service excellence.
The integration of CompassMSP and BlackPoint brings together complementary expertise and capabilities, enabling the combined organization to deliver enhanced IT and cybersecurity solutions to a broader customer base. The shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and service excellence ensures clients receive industry-leading support to meet their evolving technology needs.
“By joining forces with BlackPoint and Agellus, we will harness our combined strengths in people and technology to deliver even greater value to our clients and the market,” said Ari Santiago, CEO of CompassMSP, who will lead the combined platform. “The remarkable growth of CompassMSP since 2016 has been driven by the dedication of our Navigators, the loyalty of our clients, and the support of our suppliers and capital providers, in particular Webster Bank and Route 2 Capital Partners. This newly united platform reflects the shared vision of CompassMSP and BlackPoint to provide cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity solutions, empowering businesses to securely thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.” Mr. Santiago added, “The perspective, guidance, and extensive transaction experience from Houlihan Lokey’s Managed Services team provided CompassMSP with a market advantage. This partnership proved its value at each step in the process, and CompassMSP’s shareholders were thrilled to have such an experienced team of advisors navigating our strategic alternatives.”
James Watson, CEO of BlackPoint, added, “Joining forces with CompassMSP allows us to amplify our expertise and provide an unmatched range of services to our customers. The collaboration between our teams will drive growth and innovation while positioning us as a leader in the industry.”
Beau Thomas, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Agellus, emphasized, “Our investment in CompassMSP and BlackPoint creates a powerful platform for growth and value creation. With a strong leadership team and complementary capabilities, we’re excited to accelerate acquisitions, enhance and invest in talent and infrastructure, and deliver best-in-class solutions to customers nationwide.”
Houlihan Lokey served as the financial advisor to CompassMSP. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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