As we approach the 2025 MSP Summit, we’ve narrowed the list of candidates for our MSP 501 special awards to be presented at the Sept. 17 MSP 501 Awards Gala. The gala caps the conference that begins Sept. 15 in Orlando, Fla.

The judges’ ballots have been counted, and we’ve come up with winners (several winners in some categories). While we’re keeping the winners to ourselves until the gala, we can share the list of finalists in the judged categories: MSP 501 Company of the Year, MSP Executive of the Year, MSP Digital Innovator of the Year, MSP Vanguard of the Year, and MSP 501 Newcomer of the Year.

The Channel Partners MSP of the Year
This prestigious recognition celebrates elite managed service providers who have transcended traditional MSP boundaries to become true business transformation partners. The MSP of the Year Award honors organizations that have mastered the delicate balance of technical excellence, business innovation, and human-centered leadership—creating exceptional value for clients while building sustainable, purpose-driven businesses.

The finalists:

Carbon60 (No. 59) – Carbon60 takes an integrated approach with cloud infrastructure (IaaS, PaaS), comprehensive managed security offerings, and a strong focus on delivering custom AI solutions. The MSP has made a significant investment in AI-related services, which now account for 20% of its overall revenue and grew 50% over the last year. Carbon60’s focus on helping clients leverage AI for data analytics/business intelligence and business process automation enables them to make better decisions and operate more efficiently.

Dataprise (No. 22) -- Dataprise’s holistic service model integrates IT management, cybersecurity, mobility, cloud, and data protection. The MSP supports many types of clients and organizations throughout the nation – regardless of size or industry – by tailoring solutions based on business need rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach. Still, it has elevated its focus and expertise towards Healthcare, Legal, and Financial verticals.

Jolera (No. 299) – The Canadian-based MSP has built a global operation with over 600 professionals across 24 countries, while maintaining deep expertise in local markets, regulations, and business practices. Jolera takes a pioneering approach to AI integration through its innovative AI Factory, a comprehensive methodology for delivering enterprise-ready AI solutions that create measurable business value while meeting governance requirements.

Otava (No. 36) -- Otava takes great pride in its deep partner relationships, technology expertise, and commitment to hands-on customer support. In the past year, the MSP received Platinum Status in the Veeam Cloud & Service Provider Program, was named Veeam Cloud & Service Provider Partner of the Year (USA), won the Scale Computing 2025 Outstanding Partner Momentum Award, and was named an Entrusted Partner by the Indiana Hospital Association. In 2024, OTAVA introduced its S.E.C.U.R.E. Framework to help organizations significantly improve their security posture through evaluation, analysis, and step-by-step actions. S.E.C.U.R.E. Score delivers easy to understand metrics and shows customers their entire cloud and IT environments on a single dashboard.

Thrive (No. 41) – Thrive has expanded from a regional managed services company into an MSSP with different security technologies across different threat types and with a certified SOC. It is also expanding business lines with new technologies such as managed AI and business analytics and growing consulting and professional services. Thrive has achieved a 13% CAGR over the last 4.5 years, completed 21 successful M&A transactions, and successfully recapitalized the business.

Triton Networks (No. 27) – Triton Networks distinguishes itself by evolving beyond the traditional managed network service provider into a full-service managed communications service provider. It blends connectivity, cloud platforms, security, and IoT under one seamless architecture. Through platforms such as Triton One Solutions and Triton Connected Communities, Triton has engineered an end-to-end communications and security stack that delivers complete visibility and control from the cloud to the desktop and beyond into smart devices and remote endpoints.

The Channel Partners MSP 501 Executive of the Year

The MSP 501 Executive of the Year award celebrates visionary executives who have redefined leadership excellence in the managed services and technology channel. It recognizes a transformational leader who has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, decisive action, and measurable impact—navigating their organization through industry disruption while creating sustainable competitive advantage.

The finalists:

Blue Mantis (No. 326) CEO Josh Dineen rebranded the company and grew its global workforce from 250 to nearly 600 in three years.

Braden Business Systems (No. 116) CEO Erik Braden has helped grow the company from a respected regional services firm to a nationally ranked MSP and industry benchmark with significant 2024 growth in revenue and recurring services.

IT Support RI (No. 328) CEO Paul Riendeau has elevated the company from a local IT repair shop into a regional MSP powerhouse, known for its reliability, innovation, and client-first approach.

Performive (No. 294) CEO Wayne Kiphart is an experienced tech leader who has led Performive through a phase of high growth and market differentiation while building a culture rooted in trust, innovation, and resilience.

Spectrotel (No. 33) CEO Ross Artale helped Spectrotel shift from a telecom aggregator into a technology-enabled managed network service provider for mid-market and distributed enterprises.

Tekie Geek (No. 48) CEO Mike Bloomfield helped scale the company from a local IT support provider into a nationally recognized cybersecurity-focused MSP.

Channel Partners MSP 501 Digital Innovator of the Year Award

This honor celebrates managed service providers who have transcended traditional service delivery by creating groundbreaking proprietary technology solutions that address critical market challenges. The Digital Innovator of the Year Award recognizes organizations that have successfully evolved from service providers to technology creators—developing innovative intellectual property that delivers exceptional client outcomes while creating sustainable competitive advantage.

The finalists:

360 SOC’s (No. 98) AI-Powered Security Platform and Next-Gen 360 AI Agent combine traditional MDR and SOC capabilities with the flexibility of a fully managed or unmanaged license-ready platform that can be deployed and operated by any SOC team globally.

California Telecom’s (No. 103) Netverge combines AI, network telemetry, documentation, and diagnostics into a unified platform.

Dynamic Quest’s (No. 210) DQ Client Hub and Intelligent Ticketing Engine (ITE) is a proprietary client engagement and service delivery platform to help clients access, interact with, and benefit from managed services.

Triton Networks’ (No. 27) Triton One Solutions and Triton Connected Communities transform traditional managed network services into secure, intelligent, and future-ready communications infrastructures.

The Channel Partners MSP 501 Vanguard Award

This award recognizes the pioneers redefining the future of managed services. It celebrates organizations that transcend traditional MSP boundaries through groundbreaking innovation, strategic foresight, and measurable business impact.

The finalists:

Cloudticity (No. 452) – Cloudticity goes beyond managing cloud infrastructure. It also helps healthcare organizations harness the cloud to drive impact. Cloudticity Oxygen automates compliance across more than 140 global compliance frameworks such as HITRUST, NIST 800-53, and HIPAA, keeping client workloads breach-free.

FatNinjas (No. 268) – Malaysian-based FatNinjas offers a pioneering solution through its franchise model—the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. FatNinjas is a catalyst for a new era in IT services across Southeast Asia, filling a gap in an often underserved region with a shared framework that includes standardized SOPs, best practices, automation tools, training, business reviews, and strategic coaching.

Focus Technology Solutions (No. 487) – The Focus SecurManaged Network is a departure from traditional MSP models. It fuses cybersecurity, compliance automation, and AI Governance into a unified, proactive service. This platform enables clients to meet evolving regulatory requirements, mitigate sophisticated threats, and govern the use of artificial intelligence across the enterprise.

Peake (No. 346) – Peake has proven that when MSPs anchor innovation in healthcare mission rather than profit, they create breakthrough solutions that save lives and deliver extraordinary business results: 96% client retention, patented innovations, and 100% profit reinvestment driving sustainable growth. Peake’s patented Symphony video bridging technology helps elderly patients by making video visits as simple as answering a phone call.

Channel Partners MSP 501 Newcomer of the Year Award

To qualify, applicants must be on the MSP 501 list for the first time and demonstrate exceptional business performance, innovative approaches, and market differentiation. The winning organization will exemplify the qualities that define the next generation of managed service excellence.

The finalists:

Fencecore (No. 337) – Canadian-based Fencecore serves up modular managed services, enhanced cybersecurity assessments and cloud-first transformation packages for SMBs in vertical-focused solutions. Its cross-border hardware procurement program enables faster delivery and cost savings for clients.

StrataDefense (No. 302) – StrataDefense cracked the 2025 MSP 501 by following the money. More than 90% of its revenue comes from financial institutions and it has successfully navigated more than 500 audits. Continuity is another area where it stands apart -- with an average team tenure of more than seven years, Strata provides long-term partnership and stability.

Supra ITS (No. 173) -- the past few years have been transformative for the Canadian MSP, with strategic acquisitions such as FlexITy’s Managed IT & VoIP services (2023) and Apogee IT Services (2025) expanding its capabilities. Supra’s delivery model includes fixed-cost unlimited solutions for predictable budgets, and the ability to outsource entire functions such as IT, security and finance. A strategic equity investment from Canon has strengthened its financial and operational capabilities.

Techary (No. 423) -- Techary's model breaks away from the fragmented MSP structure. Instead of relying on third-party fulfillment and support desks, Techary delivers end-to-end IT-as-a-Service through its proprietary Orbit platform.