Perspective on valuation, deal structure, and sector dynamics across the middle market — written for founders, owners, and investors.
Compare the three main M&A auction structures available to sell-side advisors and sellers, and learn how confidentiality, valuation goals, and deal size
November 11, 2017Makes the case for pursuing M&A in blue-collar and dirty-jobs industries, arguing that unsexy mid-market businesses often generate the most durable and
November 30, 2016Successful buy-side M&A demands more than synergy talk. Discover the discipline, asset maximization strategies, and integration planning that separate winning
November 27, 2016Fintech and AI are reshaping investment banking deal flow. Explore how digital platforms are disintermediating traditional advisors and what the future holds
November 7, 2016Industry consolidation through M&A accelerates when growth stalls or recessions hit. Discover how competitors become allies and why timing matters in lower
November 2, 2016Identify the four key professional groups to consult before a business sale or liquidity event to maximize returns, minimize tax liability, and ensure a smooth
October 18, 2016Compare the main types of corporate mergers, including horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate structures, and learn how each serves different strategic and
October 4, 2016Free file storage tools like Dropbox lack the security, access controls, and audit trails that M&A transactions demand. Learn why a purpose-built virtual data
October 3, 2016Long-term investors seek capital appreciation while others focus on cash returns on invested capital. Explore the philosophical divide between buy-and-hold and
September 11, 2016Understand when walking away from an M&A deal is the right move, how to recognize early warning signs, and how to exit negotiations professionally without
September 5, 2016A buy-sell agreement can lock in stock value for estate tax purposes, but IRS may challenge the price paid to heirs if it falls below fair market value at the
August 28, 2016Explains why most lower middle-market companies are built to operate rather than to sell, and outlines the structural changes owners can make to increase
August 27, 2016Explores how equity crowdfunding under the JOBS Act's updated general solicitation rules could provide private company owners with new liquidity options for
August 22, 2016Discover how proactive acquisition strategies target passive sellers at reasonable valuations to help mid-market companies build market dominance outside
August 17, 2016A Private Placement Memorandum is a legal and financial disclosure document required when raising capital under securities law. Learn what a PPM covers and why
July 18, 2016Break through the lower middle market ceiling with operational strategies drawn from Collins, Moore, and Harnish that help companies scale to the upper market
July 17, 2016Successful deal distribution in capital markets still requires significant human capital. Explore how put-away power, deal marketing strategy, and distribution
June 30, 2016Fintech advances are reshaping investment banking with both opportunities and growing pains. An industry perspective on consolidation and structural change in
June 27, 2016Discover virtual data room best practices for M&A transactions, including what documents to include, how to organize confidential files, and how to manage
June 26, 2016Investment bankers manage complex, multi-party transactions that require rigorous project management discipline. Explore why PM methodologies are essential for
June 24, 2016Learn how online deal matching platforms have improved middle-market M&A sourcing efficiency for investment banks, private equity firms, and acquiring
June 21, 2016Earnouts can bridge buyer-seller valuation gaps in M&A, but they come with real pitfalls. Explore the negotiation challenges, structural complexities, and
June 18, 2016Identify and address the most common problems that derail business sales, from undisclosed liabilities to due diligence surprises, before going to market.
June 11, 2016EBITDA thresholds significantly influence exit multiples for business sellers. Understand how crossing key profitability benchmarks can drive meaningfully
June 4, 2016