The Host Broker (a.k.a. The MSP Broker) is a business brokerage for IT service providers based out of beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Host Broker connects buyers and sellers of IT service providers all around the world. Since 2005, we’ve helped facilitate hundreds of acquisitions.
For Sellers, we market their businesses to our curated list of 1000’s of industry contacts to find qualified buyers. Then we’ll work with you to provide buyers with the materials they need, introduce those who are qualified, and act as a trusted advisor for every step through to close. Read our FAQs for Sellers.
For Buyers, we offer a free mailing list which is distributed weekly with new acquisition opportunities. When a buyer is interested in one of our listings, we provide the materials needed to evaluate the acquisition opportunity, we introduce the seller, and we help you form a competitive bid. Read our FAQs for Buyers.
Hartland Ross is the founder of The Host Broker and eBridge Marketing Solutions – an online marketing agency for IT service providers. The Host Broker started off in response to repeated requests from eBridge clients for acquisition opportunities and from those looking to exit the industry. With our extensive industry contacts, and a book of clients keen for growth, we were well positioned to evolve into the M&A space, giving rise to The Host Broker.
Hartland began his entrepreneurial career in the building materials industry as a successful franchise owner and operator. He followed this up with a stint in the pulp and paper industry before landing positions with two different internet marketing start-ups in the online marketing sector. He then took his online success and became VP of Sales and Marketing for a national training and development company.
Drawn by the promise of the dot com boom, Hartland has been working in the sales and marketing of web-based technology companies since 1999. He has worked with over 1000 web hosting companies, MSPs, ISVs, SaaS providers, and data centers, providing business growth, marketing strategy and industry direction advice and recommendations.
Corporate philanthropy is top of mind for Hartland who believes it’s important to give back to his community. Hartland is a past board member of Young Entrepreneurs Association, was a mentor at Junior Achievement helping youth become the business leaders of tomorrow, is a mentor and advisor with Founders Institute as well as with the Beedie Luminaries Group, and an active member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), is a board member and ski coach with the local Grouse Tyee Ski Club and coaches two boys soccer teams.
An alum of the University of British Columbia, Hartland holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters degree in Business Administration with a focus on Business Strategy.
Devin Rose officially joined The Host Broker team in 2022 as an Associate. Devin has worked alongside The Host Broker’s founder Hartland Ross since joining eBridge Marketing Solutions in 2014, where he serves as VP of Operations. Over his tenure at eBridge, Devin has worked behind the scenes with Hartland on The Host Broker, taking on analyst and internal marketing responsibilities. As an Associate, Devin assists buyers and sellers of IT Service Providers to achieve a smooth transaction for all parties.
Devin graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Royal Roads University in 2011 and a Marketing Management Diploma from BCIT in 2009. He also had employment stints at two of BC’s largest and most storied companies in Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers and The Oppenheimer Group.
Born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, Devin is a proud Vancouverite and Canucks fan. Outside of work hours, Devin may be found along the trails of Pacific Spirit Park, taking in some local preserves, working off those same preserves in yoga class, or perhaps huddled over a chess board or game of cards.