Forte Technologies is the combination of three MSPs acquired by Broadwing Capital, and Forte CEO Bret Kidd is shopping for more.
Forte was formed in July when Broadwing merged CloudScale365 (No. 85 on the 2026 MSP 501), Valeo Networks, and PCS International. Kidd stepped in as CloudScale365 CEO after Broadwing acquired it last November and now heads the combined entity under the Forte banner.
Based in Irving, TX, Forte has 200 employees with more to join soon.
“Broadwing is a very thematic investor,” Kidd said. “They look at different ideas they want to pursue, do a lot of research into them, and then jump in. The MSP space was an area they decided they liked. We have two other targets under [letter of intent] that we hope to close this year. We're on an aggressive trajectory.”
Forte is the latest MSP portfolio company, going down the path of the likes of New Charter, Evergreen, Abacus, Thrive, Omega Systems, Blue Alliance, The 20 and Shield. But while most of those M&A-heavy MSPs keep the branding of their acquired companies, Forte’s strategy is to integrate all under its brand.
“The approach we've used from the beginning, is: one team, one way, one stack,” Kidd said. “One team and one way means a single organization and operating model, with all of our processes aligned and consistent, because that's where a lot of productivity comes from. One stack means the same technology stack both internally and client-facing.”
Kidd said the three acquisitions so far have extended the MSP’s geographical reach. Future targets will add verticals and tech focus. “We’re looking for more vertical depth and expertise,” he said. “The next two deals we have lined up will give us significant additional strength in financial services and healthcare, with a focus on data-intensive, highly regulated industries where a partner like us can really help clients work through those issues.
“We know in advance what we're looking for and how the pieces fit together. It’s critical for us to be one of the biggest MSPs.”
The Forte stack is a combined model from the original three MSPs that merged. Going forward, acquisitions will adapt to that model.
Forte leaves it up to leadership of acquired MSPs as to how much they will be involved post-sale. PCS founder Ron Searle joined Forte as an EVP and leads the Forte CyberAssurance practice. CloudScale365 founder Pat Hannon and Valeo founder Travis Mack are Forte advisors but not execs, with Hannon heavily involved in M&A.
Bret Kidd
Of course, Forte’s one tech stack involves AI and the growing MSP will go farther down that path.
“We're already implementing AI in a number of places internally to improve our own productivity, and we need to do much more of that as we go forward,” Kidd said. “We're doing some consulting in and around AI. What we'd like to launch in the not-too-distant future are solutions, likely with a partner, that can be sold in more of a recurring-revenue model.”
Forte worked with a branding firm to come up with a name for the three merged MSPs.
“If you look at the definition, it means a strong suit, something you're good at,” Kidd said. “It denotes power and confidence, and we thought that blend of messages was what the Forte name would deliver to those who need these kinds of services.”