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March 17, 2023
Selling means more than just money
By Adam Burroughs
Marcum LLP Senior Partner Greg Skoda on why money might not be the most important part of a deal.
March 17, 2023
Andrew Bennett on Provide's Sale To Fifth Third Bank
Provide Chief Business Officer Andrew Bennett spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about Provide's sale to Fifth Third.
March 17, 2023
How preparing to sell your company is like a bike ride with friends
Justine E. Tobin, founder and managing partner of Tobin & Company Investment Banking Group, on how starting with the end in mind can maximize a sale opportunity and speed up the process.
March 17, 2023
Sellers Sharpen Their Pencils Looking For The Right Transaction In 2023
Brightstar Capital Partners Principal Jacob Herschend, along with Wallis Companies CEO Anson Scoville and CIBC Cleary Gull Director Brian Howley, kicked off the 2023 St. Louis Smart Business Conference talking about the climate for sell-side M&A transactions in 2023 and how it might impact deals
March 16, 2023
FOLX Health Looks to Expand
CEO Liana Douillet Guzmán on raising capital in frothy times versus during a return-to-normal environment.
March 16, 2023
Luck, Likeability and Respect Go A Long Way
Alto’s Eric Satz discusses how his company is democratizing access to alternative assets and attracting investors along the way.
March 10, 2023
Cleveland Deal Pulse: The Role of the Rollover
MelCap Partners David Shibley looks at trends and deals in the Northeast Ohio M&A market over the month of February.
March 10, 2023
Pittsburgh Deal Pulse: The Role of the Rollover
MelCap Partners David Shibley looks at trends and deals in the Greater Pittsburgh M&A market over the month of February.
March 10, 2023
No "Risky Bets" When Investing In CEOs
The Edgewater Funds Senior Partner David Tolmie on what he looks for in an executive, investment red flags, preparing for exits and negotiating deal terms.
March 10, 2023
Data, Transparency Play Large Rolls In A Deal
Highwood USA CEO and Founder John Quarmley talks through the company's recent sale process.
March 3, 2023
Columbus Deal Pulse: Positive Trends During Turbulent Times
The Central Ohio M&A market realized a modest decline in deal volume of 20 percent during January 2023 compared to January 2022. Still, several noteworthy transactions occurred in Central Ohio during the month.
March 3, 2023
How Ascent Solution Managed A Change In Business Model And Ownership
Ascent Solutions' Chairman and CEO JD Harris on the firm's ownership transition as well as the switch that was made in its business model.
March 3, 2023
The Consequences Of A Shifting Market
Co-Founder and CEO of Sensorium Therapeutics Dick Simon on the company's mission and its search for the right investors.
March 3, 2023
Overcome Buy-Side Arrogance, Or Risk Overpaying
Atlas Holdings Partner Ramzi Hermiz and Lorient Capital Vice President Doug Shinkle on de-risking a deal from the buy-side.
March 3, 2023
The Three-Phase Set Up of Society Brands' Success
Society Brands CEO Michael Sirpilla on financing business growth.
February 24, 2023
Sellers Be Ready
Summit Fire & Security Regional VP Steve DeJohn on the signs that a company is ready for a sale.
February 24, 2023
Borrowing Against IP
Mark Fox, managing partner at Ghost Tree Partners, and Joseph Rossi, AVP, Aon Intellectual Property Solutions at Aon, on methods for lending against a company's IP.
February 24, 2023
Earn Out Can Be A Dirty Word
Paul Stillmank, former CEO of 7Summits, on earn outs — when they're useful and when they should be avoided.
February 24, 2023
VendEngine Revs Up Revenue Prior to Sale
Silas Deane on his company, VendEngine, Inc.,which created a way to improve the process of gifting money to inmates and later sold the company for $83 million.
February 24, 2023
Is The Sky Falling In 2023?
3 Rivers Capital's Rob Carskadden, Continuim Equity Partners' George Pilafas, Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe's John Lewis and SDI Companies' Scott Kiger offer their predictions on what changes occurring in 2023 will be the most impactful.
February 24, 2023
Lifting Lucy Creates Opportunities for BIWOC
Tranice Watts created Lifting Lucy when she was in her early twenties, working in an industry not known for much diversity. Watts, the first Black woman to co-own and operate a craft brewery in the state of Maryland, was on a subcommittee of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). She noticed an area where people could do proposals for diversity, equity and inclusion. Lifting Lucy has since grown into a network of businesses, organizations, and philanthropists serious about disrupting the barriers of entry and major hindrances toward the progress for Black, Indigenous, and other Women of Color (BIWOC) in the brewing industry.
February 24, 2023
Hirewell's Matt Massucci Is Ready For The Next Challenge
Hirewell CEO Matt Massucci on the company's post-capital-raise growth, acquisitions, and how these changes are affecting the company.
February 17, 2023
Positive Trends During Turbulent Times
Private equity fundraising, driven by an increase in capital from private investors, has remained near historic highs. However, private equity groups will also be tasked with balancing the challenges of securing debt capital as credit tightens.
February 17, 2023
Are You Emotionally Prepared To Sell?
Windsor Advisory Group Partner Jon Eesley on the personal toll an M&A sales process can take, how to emotionally prepare for an event, and where to get objective advice.
February 17, 2023
Digital Health Frenzy Propelled SteadyMD
Guy Friedman is a Co-Founder and serves as Chief Executive Officer and President at SteadyMD, a B2B telehealth infrastructure provider that enables telehealth patient experiences in all 50 states. He spoke on the Dealmakers Podcast about how he built SteadyMD as a direct-to-consumer offering, but quickly realized it’s value to other businesses.
February 10, 2023
Avoid Just-In-Time Raises By Planning Ahead
IRA record keeping and technology solutions provider IRALOGIX has raised an $11 million expansion of its Series B in 2021 and $22 million Series C in 2022. Founding Partner Joe Hipsky spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about those raises and some things, looking back, he might do differently.
February 10, 2023
Halo Investing Brings Structured Notes to the Masses
Halo’s vision and execution has propelled it to one of the top FinTechs in the U.S. That success also allowed it to easily raise capital to further its long-term goal of making structured notes accessible for just one dollar. Jason Barsema, co-founder and president, joined the Deamlamers Podcast to talk about how they built the company to where it is today and what we can expect in the future.
February 10, 2023
Sanjay Singh On The Critical 100 Days Post-Acquisition
Sanjay Singh, before he was chairman and CEO of Mace Security International, lead a business in the acquisition of a lower-middle-market manufacturing company that was a fierce competitor. That made post-deal integration a challenge.
February 10, 2023
In Fundraising, Reputation Matters
Lucid Technologies Founder and CEO Andrew Ashur on launching the business and how his fundraising process has evolved along the way.
February 10, 2023
Bill Yoh On Adding Structure To The Family Business
Day & Zimmerman Co-Owner Bill Yoh on how to have the tough conversations necessary to have a thriving family business for generations.
February 3, 2023
Tom Goodmanson On Calabrio's Two Transactions
Tom Goodmanson, former CEO of Calabrio, spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about the KKR transaction and the Thoma Bravo transaction that would follow, what each was like, how he prepared and what the future holds for the business.
February 3, 2023
Optimism For A Return To Normal Pervades In M&A For 2023
Dave Dunstan spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about the survey results and the expectation among buyers and sellers for the 2023 deal year.
February 3, 2023
Functional Fluidics Looks To Expand Market For Unique Platform
Functional Fluidics CEO Patrick Hines spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about his company, its progress and fundraising.
February 3, 2023
ChromoCare's Hugh Cathey On Lessons That Shaped His Career
In a more personal interview, Hugh Cathey, CEO of ChromoCare, a genetics testing firm, spoke on Smart Business SmartTalk about his successes and missteps, who and what helped shape his career, what motivates him and more.
January 27, 2023
DealTalk: Blue Point Capital’s Acquisition of Water Lilies
Blue Point Capital has a lot of experience in the food and beverage space, so it was natural that the Cleveland-based PE firm would jump at the chance to acquire Water Lilies, a 27-year-old private label manufacturer of premium frozen Asian-inspired food.
January 27, 2023
Tough Decisions In Family-Led Businesses
Herschend Family Entertainment started in 1960 in Branson, Missouri by Jacob Herschend's grandparents. They leased a cave and made it available for tours. As it increased in popularity, they built
January 27, 2023
Serial Entrepreneur Gabriela Isturiz Turns Investor with The Fund XX
Serial entrepreneur and early-stage investor Gabriela Isturiz, who founded two high-growth technology companies that she sold to Fortune 500 companies, recently co-founded The Fund XX, which makes
January 27, 2023
The Shift In Diligence From Risk to Reward
West Monroe Senior Partner Keith Campbell is a co-author of the report, The Future of Diligence in Private Equity, which highlights survey findings from 100 U.S. PE companies to explore the shifts in diligence approach that move away from identifying risk to identifying opportunity. That shift is happening in part because of unique market factors. Campbell says 80 percent or more of diligence used to be on site pre-COVID.
January 27, 2023
The Impact Of Tax Structuring On A Deal
There have been times when tax issues had significant implications on deals for David Bovenizer, CEO of Lionheart Industrial Group LLC. Recently, he says, his company was trying to acquire a strategic target in the aerospace and defense sector. It was a good strategic match for the business, but the company had a lot of the hallmarks of a smaller company, including a lack of tax planning. It was a single individual owner C-corp, which meant there were fewer structuring options for a deal. And they also had issues such as a history expensing all their purchases and no inventory accounted for on the books.
January 20, 2023
STAQ Pharma Expands Operations to Columbus
STAQ Pharma recently raised an estimated $45 Million of Series C venture funding to build a $70 million facility on the West side of Columbus, which will add 300 jobs to the area. Its 503B Outsourcing Facility will produce compounded medications under the Current Good Manufacturing Process (cGMP) quality system, a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standard. CEO Joe Bagan sat down with Smart Business Network to discuss the capital raises and the new, much larger facility being built in Columbus.
January 20, 2023
The Dos and Don’ts in Today’s M&A Landscape
Chuck Morton, Partner, Venable LLP, has been recognized for decades as one of best middle-market deal lawyers in the United States. During his time as an M&A attorney, he’s seen business leaders make some excellent choices and some not-so-brilliant decisions. He sat down for a discussion on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast to elaborate.
January 20, 2023
Cleveland Deal Pulse: Earnouts Increase In Popularity
Earnouts can align buyer and seller interests, incentivizing sellers to stick around post-sale to realize an economic benefit from the continued success of the business. Increasingly, they're being used to align total deal value to the ongoing performance of the business in a period of uncertainty, says Carter Hatina, an analyst with MelCap Partners, LLC.
January 20, 2023
Jared Paquette Examines His Firm With The Eyes Of An Investor
After 20 years working in private equity, Jared Paquette recently struck out on his own, launching Conanicut Capital, a PE firm focused on the lower middle-market. "I went to a great lower-middle-market firm for about 10 years. And what I found in going to the lower middle market is you get much closer to the founders and the owners of businesses," he says. "Some of the best deals that I've been a part of are ones in which you're really working as the first institutional pool of capital."
January 20, 2023
Debbie Gordon On Maximizing Her Time During Fundraising
Cloud Range is a cyber security company helping large organizations proactively prepare for cyberattacks. In an environment in which cybersecurity attacks are increasing significantly, CEO Debbie
January 13, 2023
Lance Hill On How To Think About Capital Raises
Within3 Founder and CEO Lance Hill on what to consider when raising capital.
January 13, 2023
Preparing For A Sale When You're A Social Entrepreneur
Founder and former CEO of Union Packaging Michael K. Pearson on selling his company and preparing for life after a sale.
January 13, 2023
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: Earnouts Increase In Popularity
Given today’s challenging economic environment, earnouts will likely remain an important feature in M&A deals.
January 13, 2023
With SmartWitness, Business Liability Tool Turns Into $200M Return For Nick Merchef
Nick Mirchef and his son-in-law, Chris Pflanz, went through the trails and tribulations of early-stage capital raises with their company SmartWitness and found a big payday at the end of it all. Today, they’re offering others advice using their experience as a guide.
January 6, 2023
Rocco DiLillo On His M&A Legacy
Rocco DiLillo on the many businesses he's built, bought and sold, and offers advice to entrepreneurs looking to experience similar successes.
January 6, 2023
In M&A, it's no longer Hungry Hungry Hippos. It's Risk.
The Chartis Group Director - PE Advisory Practice Leader Eric Mayeda on how the economic conditions are changing buyer behavior and what that means for sellers.
January 6, 2023
Trust But Verify Is An Important M&A Lesson To Learn
Eliassen Group CEO David MacKeen on what he's learned as a buyer and how he's applied that the company's acquisition process moving forward.
January 6, 2023
So You Want To Invest In Cannabis ...
Scot Crowe, a governing board member at Dickinson Wright and head of the law firm's private equity practice, on the latest trends in the red-hot cannabis industry.
January 6, 2023
Airspace Link Creates Drone Navigation Highway
In four short years, Detroit startup Airspace Link went from a couple founders and a few employees to recently raising $23 million in a Series B to aid its global expansion. It started with a $100,000 convertible note, a $3 million pre-seed, a $10 million Series A and now the global expansion raise. Michael Healander, co-founder, president and CEO, is a drone pilot enthusiast who envisions the positive impact drones could provide to economies and quality of life. His company is creating a roadmap in the sky for drones of all types and sizes.
December 16, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: M&A Key To Corporate Strategies Despite Uncertainty
Rising inflation and interest rates, as well as a looming recessionary period, continue to be top-of-mind for dealmakers. The economic uncertainty caused by these issues has led to modest M&A volatility. However, valuations for high-quality businesses remain lofty.
December 16, 2022
The Importance To Buyers Of High Probability Of Close
Mereo Capital Partners Co-Founder Leo Helmers on the indicators of a high probability to close and why those matter to buyers.
December 16, 2022
What To Consider When Raising Debt
Cequel III Vice President Mike Pizzella, Jr., former CEO of StayLock Storage on current trends in financing business growth — including debt-based financing — and how to best leverage financial tools for different stages of your business lifecycle.
December 16, 2022
Entrepreneur Focus: Jennifer Tescher
Financial Health Network President and CEO Jennifer Tescher on her company, its mission and the challenges it faces.
December 16, 2022
Cleveland Deal Pulse: M&A Key To Corporate Strategies Despite Uncertainty
Rising inflation and interest rates, as well as a looming recessionary period, continue to be top-of-mind for dealmakers. The economic uncertainty caused by these issues has led to modest M&A volatility. However, valuations for high-quality businesses remain lofty.
December 16, 2022
Boon Logic Offers Silicon Valley Opportunity in Minnesota
Boon Logic, developer of machine-learning based anomaly detection algorithm, is completing its second funding round over the last four years with a nearly $40 million pre-money valuation to support the commercialization of two disruptive services. CEO Grant Goris sat down with the Smart Business Podcast team to discuss how is company was born, how it has grown, and what he’s learned about raising capital along the way.
December 9, 2022
Chris Whelan On Selling Health Express Urgent Care
Health Express Urgent Care Owner Chris Whelan on selling his business to South Shore Health System.
December 9, 2022
Value Proposition Tops List In Battery Solutions' Deal Prep
Battery Solutions CFO Craig Fishel on preparing for his company's sale earlier this year to Retriev Technologies.
December 9, 2022
Dr. Shante P. Williams Learns From The Past To Build Black Pearl Global Investments
Black Pearl Global Investments CEO Dr. Shante P. Williams on what she's learned launching several businesses, and how her most recent venture, Black Pearl Global Investments, is making an impact on underserved communities.
December 9, 2022
Reasons To Consider A Family Office
Walnut Ridge CEO and Managing Partner Mike Moran on the pros and cons for sellers partnering with a family office, how family offices differ from other options, and what life is like for owners post-transaction.
December 9, 2022
Plenty Of Prep Helps Updox Accelerate Sale Timeline
Former Updox CEO Mike Morgan on building up Updox, the process of selling to EverCommerce, and why he chose to leave the company after the sale.
December 1, 2022
Flexibility Has Advantages In Deal Negotiations
Brian Gale, Tucker Ellis' Jayne Juvan and Blue Point Capital's Chip Chaikin, share advice on how flexibility can win deals over price.
December 1, 2022
To Win The Deal, Get Creative
Hartwood Point's Ben Rizzo, Continuim Equity Partners’ George Pilafas and RDX/Navisite’s Buddy Flerl on best practices in winning the deal.
December 1, 2022
Athletico's Mark Kaufman On Leveraging Employee Expertise
Athletico Physical Therapy Founder Mark Kaufman on the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship.
December 1, 2022
Michael Schreiber On Launching Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports Founder and CEO Michael Schreiber on launching Playfly, making acquisitions as well as advice for those leading disruptive forces into the market.
November 23, 2022
JumpStart's Jerry Frantz On How Uncertainty Is Affecting Early-Stage Investors
JumpStart Ventures President Jerry Frantz on how the early-stage investor mindset has been affected by market uncertainty and what it means for entrepreneurs.
November 23, 2022
Former Medtronic CEO Bill George On How Ego Can Crush A Deal
Harvard Business School Senior Fellow and former chairman and CEO of Medtronic Bill George on the M&A lessons he's learned over his career.
November 18, 2022
Deal Pulse Cleveland: Rising Interest Rates Impact Private Equity
Interest rates have become a greater challenge, leading private equity to counter by increasing the portion of equity placed into deals to better manage the cost of debt.
November 18, 2022
Entrepreneur Focus: Kathryn Finney
Genius Guild Founder, CEO and Managing Partner Kathryn Finney shares her entrepreneurial journey and the impact she's been able to have through it.
November 18, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: Rising Interest Rates Impact Private Equity
Interest rates have become a greater challenge, leading private equity to counter by increasing the portion of equity placed into deals to better manage the cost of debt.
November 18, 2022
Revolutionary Security's Race To The Finish Line
Former Revolutionary Security CEO Rich Mahler on the sale of the company to Accenture — the period leading up to the deal, COVID's effect and more.
November 18, 2022
Understand Why Before You Buy
EPIC Systems CEO Michael Higgins on the elements of a deal to consider beyond price.
November 11, 2022
Young People See Startups As A Way To Make An Impact
Ohio Innovation Fund Principal Faith Voinovich on changes she's seen in early-stage investing and shares her view of the broader startup picture.
November 11, 2022
Stay-At-Home Moms Take The Pressure Off Park Place Technologies' M&A Processes
Park Place Technologies Kelly Greene on how she's developed her M&A process during the years.
November 11, 2022
WJ Connell's John Stephenson On What He's Leaving Behind
WJ Connell's John Stephenson on what he learned from his first job, how mentorship has impacted his career, his regrets and his motivations.
November 11, 2022
A Lifetime of Succession for Ideal Group
It may have been out of necessity, but Frank Venegas Jr. began the succession process at a very young age for daughter, Linzie, and son, Jesse. Linzie said she was in a playpen in her father’s office, because they didn’t have the money for sitters and her parents worked long hours. It may have been a hardship then, but its paying dividends today as both Linzie and Jesse have taken over leadership of the company.
November 4, 2022
The Value Of Preparation Before Liquidity Events
JBC Technologies' Joseph Bliss, Proformex's Lou Schneeberger, BNY Mellon Wealth Management's Ronald Ambrogio and BDO's Robert Berdanier on the value of preparation before liquidity events.
November 4, 2022
Dealmakers share their stories, evaluate the current deal market
At the Charlotte Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, a panel of C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and an M&A financial adviser, led by moderator Greg Wilcox, a First National Bank Regional Manager, explored the state of the deal market and their respective organizational journeys amid a tightening interest- rate cycle, persistently high inflation, and challenging economic conditions.
November 4, 2022
Pitch perfect: The need for newbie entrepreneurs to improve their talk track
Project Olympus' Kit Needham on the areas where fist-time entrepreneurs stumble when seeking their earliest funding rounds.
November 4, 2022
Expert Social Influencers Change the Marketing Landscape
Working directly with brands and retailers, The Desire Company matches them with the right experts to trial, test and review products, producing video reviews for use at the point of sale and across digital marketing channels. These partnerships are proving to drive an increase in conversions, time on site and an increase in marketing effectiveness, resulting in a six times revenue increase for the company in the past 12 months. As a result, brands are taking notice and want in on this new approach.
November 4, 2022
Chain.io Investing in Supply Chain Platform Partnerships
As supply chain issues continue to wreak havoc for businesses both large and small, Chain.io Founder and CEO Brian Glick hopes to alleviate the problems with its cloud-based integration platform, which lets all the different entities in the chain share data between all their systems.
October 28, 2022
Despite Two Retirements, Ralph Della Ratta Is Still Going
Kirtland Capital Partners' Ralph Della Ratta on what he's learned from his four decades in M&A, his keys to success and how that experience will be brought to bear in his newest role.
October 28, 2022
Dry Powder vs Rising Interest Rates
Petra Capital Partners' David Fitzgerald on how raising capital and investment decisions are being affected by conditions in the market.
October 28, 2022
Deal Pulse Columbus: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
Columbus M&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 29.1 precent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 57.1 percent lower than September 2021.
October 28, 2022
Economic Conditions Drive Buyer Creativity
Ouroboros Group General Partner Samantha Ory on buyer-seller alignment, her firm’s growth from independent sponsor into its first fund, and how the current economic conditions are affecting the M&A landscape.
October 28, 2022
The Unexpected Outcomes of Royal Capital Group’s Community Development
Royal Capital Group Founder and CEO Kevin Newell discovered that when living conditions improve, so do the mental and physical health of those living in the neighborhoods he’s developed. This approach opened a new capital stream through UnitedHealthcare, which is now the largest private investor, providing $5.4 million in equity funding for one of his latest endeavors.
October 21, 2022
Diligence Your Buyer
Peter Bowe and Barbara Stewart Foundation's Peter Bowe, along with 7th Street Advisors' Andy Cohen and Slate Capital Group's Parker Davis, on the importance of evaluating your buyer and other practical tips for getting your house in order before the deal goes down.
October 21, 2022
Refine Your Growth Strategy
Wolf Organization's Joe Person, Guardian Capital Partners' Peter Haabestad, RKL's Bryan Redding and JPMorgan Chase's Lisa Kopff, share their keys to developing and unlocking an acquisition plan that works.
October 21, 2022
Begin With The End In Mind
MATH Venture Partners' Mert Hilmi Iseri and Mark Achler, along with UBS's James Jack and Michael R. Gatewood, share valuable personal lessons learned over several successful M&A exits.
October 21, 2022
Deal Pulse Northeast Ohio: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
The Northeast Ohio M&A market has faced the same headwinds as the broader U.S. Deal volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 10.1 percent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 26.3 percent lower than September 2021. Still, Northeast Ohio saw the closing of several noteworthy transactions.
October 21, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
The Pittsburgh M&A market has faced the same, if not worse, headwinds as the broader U.S. Deal volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 25.6 percent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 50 percent lower than September 2021. Still, Pittsburgh saw the closing of several noteworthy transactions.
October 14, 2022
How Jordan Hansell Is Applying Past Experiences To Lead Tradepost
Tradepost's Jordan Hansell on launching and growing TradePost, how his experience is shaping his approach in the new venture, as well as a series of recent investments he's made in the real estate space, a sector he says is poised for disruption.
October 14, 2022
Michael Sirpilla On Society Brands’ $204M Raise
Society Brands CEO Michael Sirpilla spoke on Dealmaker TV's DealTalk program about the company’s $204M raise and its growth since its launch in 2020.
October 14, 2022
Adjusting to a disrupted market
Heritage Holding's Alex de Pfyffer and IMB Partners' Tarrus Richardson on about buyers' and sellers' reaction to the changing M&A market.
October 14, 2022
When Acquiring an ESOP, Get ESOP Expert Help
Warren Equity Partners' Michael Ouyang on the process his firm takes when targeting companies that have an ESOP ownership structure.
October 14, 2022
Immunophotonics Makes Strides in Cancer Research
Lu Alleruzzo, a bioengineer with a MBA, had an opportunity early in his career to understand innovation and immediately apply it to society for the benefit of all. That opportunity fueled him and his biotech company, Immunophotonics, to pioneer a field of cancer care called Interventional Immuno Oncology.
October 7, 2022
There’s a Bumpy Road Ahead In M&A
C. Forrest Tefft, head of corporate finance at Northwest Bank, has, over more than four decades in investment banking, raised more than $14 billion in bank capital and was the originator of more than 70 transactions. Tefft discusses some of the hurdles businesses face in a near post-pandemic world and the things they should consider before making any M&A transactions.
October 7, 2022
Checkpoint Surgical Focused on Growth
Checkpoint Surgical, Inc., a privately held U.S.-based medical device company with proprietary neurostimulation technology for nerve protection and repair, raised $16 million of growth capital in August of 2021. One year later, with those investments in place, the company is shifting into growth mode, a move that comes with substantial changes. Executive Advisor Len Cosentino talks about the raise, his process for vetting investors and how Checkpoint is setting itself up for profitability.
October 7, 2022
From funder to fundraiser
MOBILion's Dr. Melissa Sherman on growing the company and how she's adapted to the fundraising process.
October 7, 2022
Shifting Perspective When Bringing On PE
Serial entrepreneur Stephen Marshall on how founders and CEOs need to prepare their company, and themselves, for major events in a business's lifecycle.
October 7, 2022
Funding options for health care companies
Lawrence, Evans & Co.'s Neil Johnson spoke on funding options for health care companies.
September 30, 2022
Economic Uncertainty And Its Impact On Deal Readiness
Vytalize Health's Kevin Murphy, Vitalxchange's Charu Ramanathan, Gibson Machinery's Lee Gibson, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP's Brandi Weekley and MelCap Partners' Al Melchiorre on economic uncertainty and its impact on deal readiness.
September 30, 2022
Evaluating The Columbus Deal Market
Stonehenge Partners' Sean Dunn, Ice Miller's Chris Michael, Kaufman Development's Ian Labitue, Worthington Industries' Patrick Kennedy and MEMM Capital'sMark Fleming Jr. kick off the Columbus Smart Business Dealmakers Conference with an evaluation of the current Columbus deal market.
September 30, 2022
Reprice? Or walk away?
Gray, Gray & Gray LLP's Derrick Rebello and McCarthy Capital's Bob Emmert, on the sell-side issues that give them pause in diligence.
September 30, 2022
Lessons learned from the supply chain turmoil
LFM Capital's Stephen Cook his view of the situation in middle-market manufacturing and how the firm is dealing with the economic pressures in that sector.
September 23, 2022
Stewart Kohl on missed opportunities
The Riverside Co. Co-CEO Stewart Kohl on what he learned from his first job, how mentorship has impacted his career, successes, lessons learned, work/life balance, and giving back.
September 23, 2022
Supply chain, HR, take on increasing importance in a deal
Mason Wells Senior Managing Director Jay Radtke on how to be an effective buyer in this hyper-competitive and ever-changing environment.
September 23, 2022
Len Caric on hiring mistakes
Serial entrepreneur Len Caric on what he learned from his first job, how mentorship has impacted his career, change as a motivator and work/life balance.
September 23, 2022
Tailor your M&A approach
IDEAL CEO and Director Steve Henn on getting an organization prepared for acquisitions.
September 15, 2022
Finding alignment in a family business
AchieveNEXT's Christin Cardone McClave, and UBS’s Bianca Benedetti-Fang and Julie Fox on how McClave’s family managed through being business partners over the years, why they ultimately decided a full sale was a path they wanted to pursue, and how they have adjusted back to being a family, after the transaction.
September 15, 2022
CreativeCo Capital finds early success through data-driven outreach
CreativeCo Capital's Ashley Gautreaux on the progress her firm has been able to make in a short time and why.
September 15, 2022
Value Creation In The M&A Lifecycle
Congruity 360's Mark Shirman, ARK Behavioral Health’s Peter McLoughlin and Twelve Points Wealth Management’s David Clayman on value creation in the M&A lifecycle.
September 15, 2022
Deal Pulse: The Economic Impact of a Manufacturing Resurgence
In his latest Deal Pulse report, Mike Kostandaras of MelCap Partners assesses the current M&A market, including a discussion of recent deals, a puts a spotlight on domestic manufacturing.
September 15, 2022
ESG’s increasing impact on investment decisions
Black Brain Trust's Angel St. Jean on the rise of ESG, her company’s growth, and the challenges of fundraising.
September 15, 2022
Deal Pulse: The economic impact of manufacturing resurgence
In his latest Deal Pulse report, Mike Kostandaras of MelCap Partners assesses the current M&A market, including a discussion of recent deals, a puts a spotlight on domestic manufacturing.
September 9, 2022
What to consider when considering minority investments
Broadview Group Holdings' Clay Hunter, LoanNEX's Eloise Schmitz, Lewis & Clark AgriFood's Tim Hassler, PNC's Tim Brady and BDO USA's Meg Kellogg on what minority control sales look like, and how planning in advance can lead to multiple bites at the apple.
September 9, 2022
Family Business Succession is a Slow, Steady Process
The L’Herbier family was at a crossroads six years ago. The owners of Air Duct Maintenance, Kevin and Debbie L’Herbier, were looking to retire and had to decide what to do with the company they started back in 1996. They approached their children, Dan and Lauren L’Herbier, to see if they had interest in taking over leadership. After a brief period, the siblings decided to begin the succession process. It didn’t go as quickly as everyone had hoped, however.
September 9, 2022
Preparing for sell-side diligence
CMC Materials' Daniel Woodland on issues that arise when selling a business.
September 9, 2022
Accelerating growth through private equity
Schill Grounds Management's Jerry Schill on the company's deal with Argonne and how it will help accelerate the business's growth.
September 2, 2022
Multiple means of raising capital
Oncocyte's Ron Andrews on the company's use of its at-the-market program, how it works, when it's best deployed, and what the raise from it has enabled to the company to do.
September 2, 2022
Build value through the team
Gray, Gray & Gray's Bryan Pearce on strategic business planning and building value in your organization.
September 2, 2022
Ilya Bodner on Bold Penguin's Acquisition
Bold Penguin Founder Ilya Bodner on the company's acquisition, how it decided that was the best choice and the benefits the deal offered.
September 2, 2022
Planning for you and your business's next step
TalentLaunch's Aaron Grossman, Leiden Cabinet Company's Tom Leiden and CM Wealth Advisors Paul Bodnar and Douglas McCreery, spoke at the Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference about what liquidity events mean for owners and entrepreneurs and their businesses, and what to expect next.
September 2, 2022
Adjust your sale approach to new market realities
MiddleGround Capital's John Stewart, Doeren Mayhew's Aaron Partridge and Matthew Gurwin on how new market realities require sellers to be more prepared in order to maximize their company's value in a sale.
August 26, 2022
Building a culture of support for startups
Wisconsin Startup Coalition Co-founders Matt Cordio and Peter Welch on the progress the organization has made since its launch in 2020, and how creating a network of support could lead to putting Wisconsin on investors' maps.
August 26, 2022
Pre-transaction must-dos for sellers
Kreischer Miller's Brian Kitchen on maximizing your deal success with pre-transaction tax structuring.
August 26, 2022
A look at M&A in today's food & beverage sector
Prairie Capital Advisors' Terry Bressler and Dan DeLap on how the deal market in the food and beverage sector is playing out this year, their expectations for the near-term, and factors that both buyers and sellers should consider ahead of a transaction.
August 26, 2022
Preparing today for tomorrow’s sale
Onex Inc. President Ashleigh Walters on preparing today for tomorrow’s sale and the subsequent liquidity event.
August 26, 2022
Pushing through the noes
Immaculate Cleaning Founder and President James Barnes on his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of pushing through the noes to get to the all-important yeses.
August 19, 2022
Deal Pulse: COVID's continued M&A impact
The Central Ohio M&A market has exhibited a similar trend as the broader domestic market, as deal volume for the seven months ended July 2022 was 18.6 percent lower than the prior year. Meanwhile, Central Ohio deal volume fell by 24 percent in July 2022 relative to July 2021.
August 19, 2022
Deal Pulse: M&A in a Virtual World
In July 2022, the Northeast Ohio M&A market demonstrated more resilience than the broader domestic market, as deal volume in July 2022 increased by 13.8 percent relative to July 2021. However, for the seven months ended July 2022, Northeast Ohio deal volume was 10.1 percent lower than the prior year.
August 19, 2022
Finding a sale at a crossroads
Fab Fours CEO Greg Higgs on his company's sale to Warn Industries and his post-deal plans.
August 19, 2022
How macro factors are influencing deals
Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors' Bob McCormack, Bortek Industries' Greg Alt, Quotient's Clark Lare, and Bowie & Jensen's William McComas on the factors influencing buy-side deals and post-acquisition integration post-COVID.
August 19, 2022
Jonathan Kasen, Gordon Scott on buying Hilliards Chocolates
As investors, Gordon Scott and Jonathan Kasen were comfortable analyzing businesses. But to prepare to acquire a company, they went to textbooks.
August 12, 2022
Engineered From Personal Need, Nollapelli Is Ready To Grow
Nollapelli founder Allison Howard talks with the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about how she created Nollapelli and prepared the company for early-stage investing.
August 11, 2022
Real estate investing in a dynamic market
Citymark Capital Founder and CEO Dan Walsh on the real estate investment market, what, and where, is hot, and how he sees the investment landscape playing out given the economic currents.
August 11, 2022
When there's more than money to a deal
Orbus Past Chairman & Owner Simon Perutz on his former company's acquisition
August 11, 2022
When (and when not) to call an investment banker
Christopher Riley, CEO, United Cutwater, has more than 30 years’ experience owning and operating more than a dozen businesses in numerous industries. He discusses the current M&A landscape and what business owners should be doing if they’re considering selling.
August 11, 2022
Archetype Solutions Pursues A Unique Approach To Investing
Archetype Solutions Group CEO Chetan Bagga on launching Archetype Solutions and its unique approach to investing.
August 5, 2022
Evaluating your sell-side options in an exit
RiverGlade Capital's Kevin McGrath, Council Capital's Nick Cooper, Pinnacle Financial Partners' Tyler Morgan, Capital Alignment Partners' John Pontius, Whistler Capital's Darshan Prabhu and Bass, Berry & Sims' Tatjana Paterno discuss what goes into a successful exit beyond a liquidity event, including when a private equity firm sells one of its portfolio companies.
August 5, 2022
Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert On The Heart Of Fundraising
Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert on the organization's mission and accomplishments, as well as his approach to fundraising.
August 5, 2022
Lessons learned selling the same company twice
What John Blyzinskyj learned from selling Elemica twice.
August 5, 2022
Transition strategies within family businesses
Jergens Inc.'s Jack Schron, Ahola Payroll & HR Solutions' Jeff Ahola, Peoples Services Inc.'s Darin Haines, The Reserves Network's Neil Stallard and UBS's William Murphy on the tough conversations and lessons learned from transitions in a family business.
August 5, 2022
How to be transparent while protecting IP during diligence
Stirling Ultracold Founder and former CTO Dave Berchowitz on the deal with BioLife and how the company's IP was managed leading up to and through diligence.
August 2, 2022
The Essential First Question CEOs Must Ask Before Partnering with a PE Firm
Private equity dealmaking was busier than ever in 2021, with more than $3.5 trillion in capital deployed throughout the year. Fundraising also increased nearly 20% last year – a record high – which
July 29, 2022
Dan German on lessons learned launching Orthobrain
Orthobrain's Dan German on launching Orthobrain, fundraising, and how the lessons he learned growing and selling German Orthodontics are informing his new venture.
July 29, 2022
Distinguish yourself in a deal
Tecum Capital's Stephen Gurgovits, Citizens M&A Advisory's David Dunstan, Matthews International Corp.'s Richard Beard and Aon's Bill Coleman on building a successful acquisition engine.
July 29, 2022
When to leave leadership behind
Carestream Health's David Westgate, Madison Dearborn Partners' Michael Nettesheim Executive Search Partners' Nick Curran and N2 Advantage Law's Timothy Nettesheim on how to know what you're buying.
July 29, 2022
Breaking down the complexities of succession planning
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young Partner Steven Scolari on succession planning and how to break the complex process down into something more manageable.
July 29, 2022
When selling, get answers before the deal closes
Ten35's Sherman Wright on preparing to sell a business and the liquidity event that follows.
July 29, 2022
Seeing a deal as more than money
Ouroboros Group's Samantha Ory, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Boston's Brian Moore, Dr. Dental's Alex Faigel, Mirus Capital Advisors' Brendan Kiernan and Cambridge Savings Bank's Stephen Leonard on financing business in the lower middle market.
July 22, 2022
An offer that can't be refused
Dawson's' David DeCapua on the deal with Aya Healthcare and how he personally came to terms with selling.
July 22, 2022
How Relationships Brought Abatemaster and Plumb Line Capital Together
Plumb Line Capital's Matt Lindberg and Abatemaster's Jeff Chilton on the acquisition, growing a former family-operated business, and how relationships have played a role in every aspect of the deal.
July 22, 2022
Price Taker vs. Price Maker and the effect on value
BMO Harris Bank's John Chalus and Tecum Capital's Matt Harnett on the economic factors that are affecting deals and how buyers and sellers can adjust.
July 22, 2022
When Three Little Pigs Went To Market
Village Gourmet's David Kemp and Gemini Investors' James Goodman on buying Three Little Pigs, growing it into Village Gourmet and taking that company to market.
July 22, 2022
Diligence is a two-way street
Foundation Wellness' Sean Williams, Aon's Perry Papantonis, and Gridiron Capital's Joe Saldutti and Sean Kelley on maximizing value in a sell-side transaction.
July 14, 2022
Ascender Lifts Early-Stage Entrepreneurs
Nadyli Nuñez, executive director, Ascender, has guided hundreds of early-stage entrepreneurs through her incubator, co-working programs, and numerous early-stage investments to position them for add-on capital as part of their growth journey from scale-up to the middle market. She has a detailed, hands-on approach to ensure the success of her clients.
July 14, 2022
Making Deals with Unprepared Participants
Charlie Saponaro, CEO, Medical Record Associates, is a long-standing veteran of the Boston M&A world, with more than 30 deals to his credit. In several of those transactions, Saponaro had to make it happen even though the sellers were not quite as sophisticated in the common practices of the M&A world.
July 13, 2022
Deal Pulse: Volume down, value up amid mounting headwinds
Following a healthy first quarter, U.S. and local deal volume declined the second quarter ended June 30. However, total deal value on a national basis was up sharply over the same period. Acquirers are increasingly confronted with a difficult labor market.
July 6, 2022
Reasons to be excited, cautious, when launching a business with family
Geneoscopy's Andrew Barnell on launching Geneoscopy, structuring the business and working with family.
July 6, 2022
Revolutionary Security struck while the iron was hot
Revolutionary Security's Rich Mahler discusses the company's 2020 sale to Accenture.
July 6, 2022
Identifying the right capital partners
Tiesta Tea Company's Dan Klein on what he looks for in investors beyond capital as well as the company's plans for growth.
July 6, 2022
BioDot's quick (and unexpected) second deal
BioDot's Tony Lemmo on the company's two significant deals in the last two years, including a leveraged buyout through Artemis Capital Partners back in 2020.
July 6, 2022
Preparing yourself to prepare for a sale
Prospect Partners' Louis Kenter on steps a business owner should take to prepare to sell their company.
July 6, 2022
Family must earn their way into Archangel's CEO seat
Archangel Protective Services' Ken Thomas on how the company got its start, the importance of getting help along the way, succession planning and the ways he's helping others get their entrepreneurial start.
July 6, 2022
The economy's impact on deal readiness
Honigman's John Kanan, Wälzlager Industriewerke Bulle A.G.'s Kal Beidas, MSX International's Fred Minturn, Aon's Vipul Patel and BDO Consulting Group's Robert Berdanier discuss economic uncertainty and its impact on deal readiness.
July 6, 2022
Landing the first investors
SureImpact's Sheri Chaney Jones on launching SureImpact and her experience landing investors.
July 6, 2022
A shifting M&A market
Fifth Third Securities' Matt Francati, Cyprium Investment Partners' Beth Haas, Signet Enterprises' Anthony Manna and Oswald Companies' Jeff Schwab on mitigating risk and navigating current trends in today's volatile sell-side environment.
June 30, 2022
The Advantage of Strategic Planning in M&A Transactions
Huntington's Dan Griffith and Jim Altman, Loretta Benec (formerly with The ExOne Company), IPEG Industrial Group's John Erkert and McGuireWoods' Penny Zacharias on the power of strategic planning in M&A.
June 29, 2022
Liquidity Lessons From Selling a Fourth-Generation Family Business
Lewisburg Printing Company's Kirk Kelso, Troutman Pepper's Daniel McDonough, and BNY Mellon's Bryan McGrath and Marty Babitz on the preparation and exit phases of a well-structured transaction.
June 29, 2022
Relationships, communication smooth MedPilot, Vytalize deal
Vytalize Health's Kevin Murphy and Matt Buder Shapiro on the deal, how it came to be and where the combined companies go from here.
June 29, 2022
Risk management in M&A
Aclaimant Co-Founder and Board Member Michael Schultz on dealing with risk in M&A transactions, and how his company is applying its recent $15 million raise.
June 29, 2022
Navigating Deal Complexities
Mad River Associates' Andy Horne, Eliassen Group's David MacKeen, WJ Connell's John Stephenson and CMBG3 Law's John Gardella on how to effectively prepare yourself and your company to get deals done.
June 22, 2022
Lessons learned from raising different types of capital
Stratifyd's Derek Wang on building Stratifyd, raising capital and growing his investor network.
June 22, 2022
The complexity of pre-sale estate and wealth planning
DP+'s Mark Petrosky, Cendrowski Corporate Advisors' John Alfonsi and Pitcairn's Andy Busser on how a seller's approach to the pre-planning and execution — including taking the impact of taxes into consideration — may be the difference between a deal's success and failure.
June 22, 2022
Build a good business and investors will find you
HYCU's Simon Taylor, Mintz's Kurt Steinkrauss, Health Express Urgent Care's Chris Whelan and First Republic Investment Management's Julie Rousseau on what you need to know about the personal and corporate side of readying your company for whatever tomorrow brings.
June 22, 2022
The importance of multiple plans
Capital Plus' Renee Tyack, Roetzel & Andress' Erika Haupt, Matesich Distributing Co.'s Sarah Schwab and AB Bernstein's Kara Lewis on how they navigated the most difficult questions regarding what to do with the family business.
June 22, 2022
Internal, external factors to consider ahead of a deal
Malachite Innovations Inc.'s Michael Cavanaugh, Barnes Wendling CPAs' Laurie Gatten, Protegis Fire & Safety's Steve DeJohn and Ulmer & Berne's Ilir Pipa on how to analyze your company’s deal readiness and determine the best course for your company’s future.
June 17, 2022
Overcoming Great Day's Early Challenges Hinged On The Team
Blue Olive Partners Executive Chairman Ed Weinfurtner on building the family of Great Day brands.
June 17, 2022
How ITS Logistics' Scott Pruneau Proved His Company's Uniqueness
In the last quarter of 2020, ITS Logistics launched an almost entirely virtual sales process that ultimately ended with its acquisition by GHK Capital Partners in mid-2021. CEO Scott Pruneau says navigating the process without bringing anybody under the tent was a challenge.
June 17, 2022
Argo Fresh's Clint Lewis: Running A Public Company With A PE Partner
In AgroFresh, Clint Lewis is leading a public company that has a private equity investor. 'It's a unique dynamic," Lewis says.
June 17, 2022
Investing in Downtown Baltimore
MCB Real Estate's P. David Bramble, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore's Shelonda Stokes, Chasen Companies' Brandon Chasen and FNB Corp.'s Mac Tisdale discuss the opportunities available for investors in downtown Baltimore.
June 17, 2022
Founders helping founders
Ilana Diamond on launching 412 Ventures, its investment thesis, and how their collective experience as founders might give them an advantage.
June 16, 2022
LPi’s Niche Market Clientele Proves Valuable
We Share and We Gather started as LPi's closed social network for churches. It quickly morphed into an online donation tool for nonprofits. Joe Luedtke spoke about LPi’s carveout of its financial tech arm.
June 16, 2022
How Paperless Parts Overcame Early Stumbles To Find Success
Paperless Parts recently raised $30 million of Series B venture funding led by OpenView Venture Capital. Jason Ray, co-founder and CEO of Paperless says he had some entrepreneurial stumbles along his path to building Paperless into what it's become today.
June 10, 2022
How Reps & Warranties Is Increasing Deal Efficiency
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis' Tyson Bickley, LFM Capital's Chris Lin, Resource Label Group's Hunter Rost and LBMC's Brian Marynowitz on how to evolve your buy-side strategies in 2022 and beyond, and key mistakes you can avoid.
June 10, 2022
How labor challenges are affecting M&A
Calaway Habeck Talent Consulting's Jaynanne Calaway-Habeck, Denim Social's Douglas Wilber, CliftonLarsonAllen's Adrian Nohr, PFI Holding Co.'s John Dolan and BMO Harris' Robert Harrod on the factors impacting today's M&A transactions.
June 10, 2022
Edovo Divests to Improve Mission Focus
Edovo CEO Brian Hill on his venture, its recent acquisition and raising capital.
June 10, 2022
Franklin Foster on Essex Bay Capital's Launch
Essex Bay Capital Co-founder Franklin Foster talks about launching Essex Bay Capital and the investments the company has made so far.
June 10, 2022
The Role of CFO Post-Acquisition
Resilience Capital Partners Bassem Mansour, TalentLaunch's Matt Lyon, Truist Bank's Andrew Rutherford and RSM's Jeff Rolland on post-acquisition integration and how owners, presidents, and CEOs should approach the CFO role in making sure the deal pays off.
June 10, 2022
How WeCare Medical Got Sophisticated Ahead of Its AdaptHealth Deal
WeCare Medical Joda Burgess, along with Footprint Capital's Josh Curtis, GBQ Partners' Wade Kozich, MAD Capital's Jim Baich and Oxer Capital's Michael OBrien discuss WeCare Medical's sale to AdaptHealth, and how sellers can maximize their understanding of the deal phases to achieve a successful transaction.
June 2, 2022
To raise funds, show investors the math
PhotoniCare's Ryan Shelton on raising funds and the company's future.
June 2, 2022
Seller Considerations Beyond Price
Capital Partners' Olly Forrer, HUB International's Marc Mingolelli, Goulston & Storrs' John Cushing, Stellex Capital Management's Irina Krasik and Copley Equity's Sean Sullivan on what truly differentiates winning buy-side transactions beyond the price.
June 2, 2022
The Battle For Seller Attention
Candid Partners' John Peak and Merrick Olives, along with LLR Partners' Michael Pantilione, Citizens' David Dunstan and Blank Rome's Louis Rappaport, on preparing for a transaction.
June 2, 2022
It’s All About Partnerships and Pitch Decks for Rambus
Mykolas Rambus is a serial entrepreneur who founded and sold two previous companies, including Wealth-X, where he served as CEO until its 2016 sale for more than $20 million. Most recently, Mykolas raised early-stage rounds of capital in 2021 to build out Hush, a company that offers cybersecurity services. Though the capital raise process went well, Mykolas talks about how better pitch materials would have made for a smoother raise.
June 2, 2022
Listening is key to uncovering overlooked opportunities
George J. Howe Co.'s Len Caric on why creating win-wins is critical for the acquisition process.
June 2, 2022
Economic development challenges, opportunities in Greater Cleveland
Downtown Cleveland Alliance's Michael Deemer, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services' Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna, IV, First National Bank's Jeff Bechtel and K&D's Doug Price helped kickoff the recent Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference with a roundtable discussing the drivers of economic development in Northeast Ohio.
