Evergreen acquires Adelaide-based MSP Blackbird IT

Evergreen has acquired Blackbird IT, a managed IT services provider headquartered in South Australia.

Blackbird IT joins a portfolio of over 100 independent operating companies, including recent Australia and New Zealand acquisitions of Brisbane-based REDD, Perth-headquartered CT Group and Auckland’s Lancom Technology. 
 
Founded in 2007 as LeetGeek, Blackbird IT began as an Apple integration consultancy, rebranding to its current name in 2016.

Last year, the company acquired fellow South Australian firm Calvert Technologies.

Ben Corbett, who has been with the company since 2009, will step into the CEO role.

Blackbird IT will continue operating independently under its current brand within Evergreen's operating company Lyra Technology Group. 

“Ben and I always said there’s no way we’d sell to private equity since most models revolve around profit at the expense of people and culture,” said Richard Stafford, founder of Blackbird IT.

“Basically, I was looking for a reason not to do a deal with Evergreen, and frankly, I couldn’t find one, and I tried hard! Their decentralized model lets our brand, culture, and team remain exactly as they are. It’s the perfect outcome for us.” 
 
“We greatly appreciate Evergreen’s patience, professionalism, and understanding throughout the process. They helped us solve strategic challenges, not just with capital but with their enterprise's expertise and global resources. This partnership isn’t an exit for Blackbird IT; it’s an opportunity to accelerate growth on our own terms.” 
 
"I met Richard and Ben in early 2024 and immediately recognized the strength of the business they had built,” said Craig Fulton, M&A advisor at Evergreen.

“They’ve established themselves as leaders within the Adelaide community, and Richard’s deep involvement in the MSP space made it clear that their team would be an excellent cultural fit for us." 
 
“We’re so grateful that Richard, Ben, and the Blackbird team chose us as their long-term partner,” said Elliott Hyman, CEO at Lyra Technology Group.

“Blackbird’s dedication to their clients and exceptionally strong culture were evident from our first interaction, and we look forward to partnering with them to nurture and grow that legacy under Ben’s leadership for the years to come.”