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Published on:

9th Feb 2026

Navigating PE Acquisition w/ Jake Levine

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Private equity is one of the biggest flashpoints in the MSP world: some welcome it, others dread it.

Today’s guest offers a perspective that’s less emotional and more practical. Brian sits down with Jake Levine, CEO of Robo, an MSP that’s grown from nearly $10M in revenue at acquisition to an expected $23M this year.

Jake has worked with private equity his entire career, first getting hooked on the challenge in grad school, then joining NextGen Growth Partners and never looking back.


Jake shares how he first got introduced to the MSP space, what truly sparked his interest in PE, and the real differences between running a founder-led company and a private equity–backed one. From discipline and execution to leadership traits and inevitable tradeoffs, this conversation lays out the pros, cons, and misconceptions so you can decide what actually fits your business.

Whether you’re PE-backed, PE-curious, or firmly opposed, you’ll walk away with a clearer lens for what it takes to win under either model.


Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:06 - Episode open

1:33 - What it takes to run a PE-backed MSP

5:58 - The difference in decision-making

8:25 - Jake’s story

17:07 - Where is Robo at today?

20:05 - The reality of being a CEO

25:54 - Building credibility (w/ an already established team)

29:44 - Tensions between an owner and private equity

33:32 - “Healthy tension”

37:48 - “How has your leadership grown?”

41:37 - The ‘squishy’ concepts and replacing yourself

45:17 - Biggest mistake Jake has made as a CEO

50:04 - Rapid fire

56:23 - Episode wrap-up


Connect with Brian Hoppe

https://brianhoppe.com/

linkedin.com/in/brianhoppe


Like Our Guest? Check out more on Jake Levine

Jake@robo.net

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-levine-85999720/

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About the Podcast

The $10 Million MSP Podcast
The $10 Million MSP Podcast dives into the real stories of MSP leaders who have gone beyond 10 million. How they built teams, created systems and turned their businesses into valuable wealth-building assets. Join Brian Hoppe, Strategic Coach to MSPs, as he sits down with leaders of $10M+ MSPs to unpack the inflection points that matter – From the personal stories of MSP leaders to key fundamentals like culture, operational maturity and driving profitability. This isn’t another MSP podcast about tools and tech. On The $10 Million MSP Podcast you’ll find behind the scenes conversations with leaders that have built thriving MSPs – their biggest wins, their toughest lessons and practical advice that you can use now. If you’re an MSP owner who knows that growth starts from within, that mindset, leadership and strategy, align to create both wealth and meaning, then this show is for you. New episodes are released every other week!