There was a surge of M and A activity this past week, with six high-impact acquisitions reshaping the channel landscape. From AI-enhanced voice analytics and developer tools to verticalized R and D software, each deal offers insight into where the market is headed—and where MSPs, MSSPs, and channel entrepreneurs should place their bets.
Here’s a breakdown of the M and A activity from April 3 through April 9, 2025—and why it matters to partners, from growth-stage MSPs to enterprise-focused MSSPs.
1. Hornetsecurity Acquires Altospam: Expanding European Cyber Footprint
Hornetsecurity, the German-based cloud security provider, acquired French email security specialist Altospam to expand its presence in France and strengthen its European cybersecurity offerings. This is a textbook example of a vendor doubling down on regionally compliant, MSP-friendly solutions. Expect more demand for European-hosted cybersecurity services.
Deal specifics: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Company information: Hornetsecurity continues its channel-first strategy with over 12,000 partners.
Key takeaways: The deal adds data sovereignty compliance for EU clients, especially critical under GDPR and French FDI rules. It also expands the portfolio for MSPs managing Microsoft 365 environments through Hornetsecurity’s 365 Total Protection suite.
2. IBM Acquires Hakkoda: Building AI-Ready Data Infrastructure
IBM has acquired Hakkoda, a top-tier Snowflake partner, to deepen its data modernization and AI consulting capabilities, especially in regulated sectors. This deal pairs Hakkoda’s strengths in data migration and generative AI tools with IBM Consulting’s AI roadmap. It will also create subcontracting and co-delivery opportunities for AI-focused MSPs, particularly those in healthcare, finance, and public sector verticals. Finally, the acquisition will add services revenue potential for partners supporting Snowflake, AWS, and hybrid data estates.
Deal specifics: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Company information: Hakkoda is a data and AI consultancy based in New York.
Key takeaways: The intersection of data services, AI transformation, and industry compliance is the next frontier for MSPs moving beyond infrastructure support.
3. Siemens to Acquire Dotmatics: Life Sciences Meets Industrial AI
Siemens AG will acquire Dotmatics for $5.1 billion, integrating the scientific software firm into its industrial AI platform for life sciences innovation. Dotmatics' platform spans R and D data management and compliance—ideal for MSPs offering IT-as-a-service with HIPAA or FDA-aligned tools. The deal also signals growing investment in vertical-specific AI and PLM ecosystems.
Deal specifics: Siemens will pay $5.1 billion for Dotmatics.
Company information: Dotamtics, formerly a portfolio company of Insight Partners, is a global team of more than 800 people with customers in over 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Boston, with 14 offices and R and D teams located around the world.
Key takeaways: This acquisition opens new channel pathways for MSPs servicing biotech, pharma, and academic research institutions. It also highlights the opportunity for MSPs already working in regulated sectors to become trusted advisors in research and development and AI lifecycle management.
4. Cloudflare Acquires Outerbase: Streamlining AI Developer Tools
Cloudflare has acquired Outerbase, a database platform aimed at simplifying the development of full-stack, AI-powered applications. This is crucial for MSPs whose clients may need help deploying database-backed apps, especially if they have limited development resources. The acquisition will enhance the developer experience across Cloudflare Workers, Durable Objects, and D1—tools increasingly used by cloud-native MSPs. MSPs can now offer white-labeled, AI-ready app platforms to clients looking to scale digital services.
Deal specifics: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Company information: San Francisco-based Outerbase was founded in 2022 and backed by Y Combinator, Surface Ventures and Goodwater, among other VC firms, as well as other individual investors. Cloudflare, also headquartered in San Francisco, is an internet, cloud and network services provider that also does application and content delivery, cybersecurity, secure access service edge (SASE) and developer services.
Key takeaways: This is an ecosystem play. MSPs working with Cloudflare now have a broader platform to build and manage client applications with built-in AI hooks.
5. Humach Acquires Markets EQ: Voice Analytics Meets AI-Powered CX
Customer experience platform Humach acquired Markets EQ, a voice analytics firm known for its emotional intelligence tech used in financial services and investor relations. The acquisition will expand AI-powered customer engagement capabilities—ideal for MSPs supporting contact centers or CX operations.
Deal specifics: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Company information: Markets EQ plays in the maturing AI CX market.
Key takeaways: MSPs that bundle voice analytics with existing CRM or call center services could tap into higher-margin, high-impact offerings as well as offer emotionally intelligent voice AI tools to verticals like finance, retail, and healthcare. It also opens cross-sell opportunities in AI agent orchestration and digital experience management.
6. Apex Group Acquires Flow: Digitizing Private Markets Infrastructure
Apex Group acquired Flow, a digital platform for investor engagement and fund administration in the private equity and venture capital space. The buy will help MSPs support digitally transforming private equity clients who require secure onboarding, fund lifecycle management, and data rooms. This deal expands Apex’s digital-first platform strategy, signaling more partner enablement down the road.
Deal specifics: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Company information: The addition of Flow adds 15 employees and assets under administration of $17 billion USD to Apex Group.
Key takeaways: MSPs looking to specialize in financial services IT now have a new fintech ecosystem to plug into—especially in fund administration and investor services. The acquisition also opens service opportunities in compliance, cloud infrastructure, and app support.
Channel Insights
This week’s M&A surge sends a clear signal to the managed services ecosystem: verticalized, AI-driven platforms are defining the future of channel success. Whether the deals involved life sciences, financial services, or agriculture, vendors are placing strong bets on industry-specific software solutions that deeply integrate with regulatory and operational workflows. For MSPs and MSSPs, this shift away from one-size-fits-all offerings creates fresh opportunities to specialize, differentiate, and build long-term client relationships based on domain expertise.
Artificial intelligence, once a niche value-add, is now a core component across all levels of cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. It’s evident that AI-enhanced services are no longer optional—they’re expected. Channel partners that haven’t yet added AI capabilities to their portfolio risk falling behind as clients increasingly seek solutions that improve efficiency, detect threats preemptively, and personalize customer engagement at scale.
Equally important is the industry’s continued preference for platform-based solutions over standalone tools. Buyers want simplicity, automation, and seamless integration. Vendors respond by acquiring companies that complete their tech stacks and provide MSPs with centralized control planes. For the channel, aligning with vendors that offer broad, integrated ecosystems—rather than fragmented point solutions—will be key to maintaining operational efficiency and growing recurring revenue.
In short, the latest activity shows a healthy, rapidly evolving market where MSPs and MSSPs that lean into specialization, embrace AI, and align with robust vendor platforms are best positioned to thrive.
