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December 6, 2019
Navidea announces $1.9M private placement
By Jayne Gest
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc. has executed agreements with five investors, including an existing investor, John K. Scott Jr., to purchase approximately 2.1 million shares of the company’s common stock for approximately $1.9 million.
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December 6, 2019
Purchase of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Casino closes
Colorado Springs-based Century Casinos Inc. has completed the acquisition of the operations of New Cumberland, West Virginia’s Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, as well as two Missouri casinos, from Eldorado Resorts Inc. for approximately $107 million.
December 6, 2019
JLL Income Property Trust Buys AZ-Based Distribution Center In $31M Deal
Chandler Distribution Center is a 211,000-square-foot, Class A industrial asset located in the southeast submarket of Phoenix.
December 5, 2019
Deal Us In
Business owners can’t afford to ignore M&A — even if they’re not actively looking to buy or sell. That’s because competitors are out scooping up a new technology, diversifying into new geographies, raising growth capital, and implementing long-term exit plans that help them run their companies better.
December 5, 2019
GM, LG Chem Form $2.3B Joint Venture In Lordstown
General Motors and LG Chem have announced plans to mass-produce battery cells for future battery-electric vehicles. Together, the companies will invest up to $2.3 billion through a new, equally owned joint venture company.
December 5, 2019
GTE buys companies with a unique model: entrepreneurship through acquisition
Entrepreneurship through acquisition or search fund can be less risky than starting a company from scratch, and GT Entrepreneurs is one of a handful of firms that help experienced operators find successful businesses. VP of Operations Robert Septak shares how the firm works.
December 5, 2019
PWP Growth Equity’s John McKee on seeing the other side when selling a business
Selling a business is, for many, ultimately about the transaction — a value-and-price equation based on data scrutinized through the diligence process. However, PWP Growth Equity Managing Director John McKee sees something more than that.
December 4, 2019
Pondera Holdings Leads $31M AutoPets Recap
The investment is intended to accelerate the company's growth, as well as provide a liquidity event to the founders of the business.
December 4, 2019
How A Mix Of Persistence, Patience And Discipline Got Kelvin Squires A Great Deal
Kelvin Squires really wanted to buy Center Line Electric, but he was willing to walk away from the deal if he didn't get what he needed.
December 4, 2019
Stuart Sorkin: Turnaround Deals Can Be Fulfilling, If You Know What You’re Facing
Assess a company from every angle before you go forward with acquiring the business.
December 4, 2019
Stonehenge’s Andrew Bohutinsky: The value of operators with skin in the game
When Stonehenge Partners invests in a business, it’s looking for operators who have skin in the game. This means, as a fund, it often finds the most opportunity through minority recapitalizations, says Managing Partner Andrew Bohutinsky.
December 4, 2019
Blue Olive’s Ed Weinfurtner: Focus On The Opportunity In Dealmaking And You’ll Find Success
Blue Olive Partners’ Ed Weinfurtner is always driven to find the next challenge. His attitude helps him turn tough situations into great opportunities.
December 4, 2019
Duolingo raises $30M in Series F funding; now valued at $1.5B
Duolingo has reached a $1.5 billion valuation after closing a $30 million Series F funding round from CapitalG, Alphabet’s growth equity investment fund and an existing investor in the company. This brings Duolingo’s total venture funding to $138 million.
December 4, 2019
Covestro to buy Bayer’s Robinson campus
Covestro LLC has agreed to purchase the Bayer Corp.’s Robinson Township campus, which is home to Covestro’s U.S. headquarters. The change in ownership is planned for Dec. 31, 2020.
December 4, 2019
Aspirant buys HR Imagined
Aspirant, a Pittsburgh-based global management consulting and technology firm, has acquired HR Imagined, an outsourced HR solution organization in Pittsburgh. As part of the deal, HR Imagined President Cheryl Paxton-Hughes will join Aspirant.
December 3, 2019
How Maxine Clark Financed Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear Workshop founder Maxine Clark talks about how she raised the capital — both financial and intellectual — to grow the retail chain and eventually take it public.
December 2, 2019
Heartland Bank to buy Cincy’s Victory Community Bank
Whitehall-headquartered Heartland BancCorp has agreed to merge Victory Community Bank, a federal savings association with its main office in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, into Heartland Bank, in a transaction valued at approximately $41.1 million.
December 2, 2019
Process Control's Bill Morgan offers an M&A education to owner-operators
The way Bill Morgan sees it, he’s an operator, not an M&A guy. But the truth is, he’s both.After a successful five-year run buying and turning around a distressed St. Louis manufacturer, Morgan
November 27, 2019
The A.D. Farrow deal offers a recapitalization case study
Earlier this year, the three-store A.D. Farrow Co. Harley-Davidson dealership was purchased by Ricart Automotive. One of the investors, Fred Vorys, walks us through the sale, which is an interesting example of a recapitalization.
November 27, 2019
Gary DeJidas on staying conservative in today’s market and an inside look at an ESOP
In Gary DeJidas' mind many acquisitions are overpriced today, which is why GAI Consultants buys cautiously in an uncertain economy. The chairman and CEO also gives his perspective on ESOPs after 27 years under that ownership structure.
November 26, 2019
Target Data’s Ross Shelleman: Are You Ready To Make A Deal?
Before you get into a deal, you need to figure out if you have a willing seller, says Target Data’s Ross Shelleman.
November 26, 2019
Industrial Commercial Properties Buys Former Kmart Building In Garfield Heights
The structure, with its height and column spacing, is believed to be adaptive to redevelopment. ICP plans to update the facility, including the exterior.
November 26, 2019
Laura Pettit Rusick: Don’t Wait Until After The Deal To Address IT Due Diligence
Dealmakers who fail to incorporate IT due diligence into their M&A strategy are taking a big risk, says OPT Solutions Founder Laura Pettit Rusick.
November 26, 2019
Hyland's Bill Priemer Uses A Methodical Approach To Identify M&A Targets
Hyland is a very acquisitive company, but it wasn’t always that way, says Bill Priemer, the software company’s president and CEO.
November 26, 2019
Hildred Capital Partners’ Andrew Goldman on creating connections and culture’s effect on deal price
Hildred Capital Partners' Andrew Goldman says investors and operators bring different experiences and perspectives to a relationship. And when the two come together and share their experiences through a productive dialogue, everyone benefits.
November 25, 2019
Peninsula Capital’s Ty Clutterbuck: How To Find Your Way To A Great Deal Opportunity
Achieving synergy in business doesn’t have to be about making cuts. Through dealmaking, it can be a path to growth opportunities, says Ty Clutterbuck.
November 21, 2019
Pitt Ohio spinoff Idelic iterates quickly, including during fundraising
Hayden Cardiff approaches raising capital the same way he approaches building a product — with a lean startup methodology of build, measure and learn. The Idelic CEO discusses the company's growth and how he's applying what he's learned.
November 21, 2019
Dynamit merging with Virginia competitor
WillowTree LLC and Columbus-based Dynamit Technologies LLC, digital product agencies focused on designing and delivering mobile, web and voice applications, have agreed to combine forces to create the largest independent agency of its type in the U.S., with over 500 employees.
November 21, 2019
Henniges Autmotive’s Larry Williams: Keys To Working Effectively With Private Equity Ownership
Larry Williams has used simple, honest dialogue to build strong ties with each PE firm that has owned Henniges Automotive.
November 21, 2019
JumpStart, Rev1 receive Ohio Third Frontier funds
The Ohio Third Frontier Commission approved up to $26.5 million to JumpStart and up to $14 million to Rev 1 Ventures to help entrepreneurs develop innovative products and grow technology startup companies. Other recipients included the OhioHealth Innovation Development Fund, Akron PolyEnergy, Capture Collective, Exotome, IR Medtek, Matsaki Technologies, NeuroTherapia and RooSense.
November 21, 2019
Pepper Hamilton’s Daniel McDonough highlights transaction preparedness pitfalls
Lawyers, LOIs, unrecognized risks and setting up for your next professional chapter ... there's lots to consider, and plan for, when preparing your business for a sale. Pepper Hamilton Partner Daniel McDonough identifies a few traps to avoid during the process.
November 21, 2019
Fire-Dex’s Bill Burke: Acquisitions Provide Opportunities To Learn From Other Businesses
The four companies Fire-Dex has acquired in the past decade were good businesses. Bill Burke saw an opportunity to make them stellar.
November 20, 2019
Rockwell Automation Building Sells For $61M
Mohr Capital, a Dallas-based, privately held real estate investment firm, has sold the 460,000-square-foot net leased office building in Mayfield Heights.
November 19, 2019
Stadion Capital’s Michael Scott: You cannot outstructure a bad deal
When Michael Scott went out on his own in 2010, after more than 20 years of private equity and M&A experience, he knew there was no room for mistakes. That's why he looked for opportunities with a competitive advantage.
November 19, 2019
Home Chef’s Pat Vihtelic: What’s The Recipe For Success In Your Business?
Pat Vihtelic created Home Chef to transform the way we all cook and eat. A lucrative deal with Kroger has allowed him the space to do just that.
November 15, 2019
Philadelphia's Instem buys Columbus firm, Leadscope
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November 14, 2019
Joseph D. Culley Jr. says post transaction, the clock is ticking on culture
Janney Montgomery Scott’s Joseph D. Culley Jr. says after a merger, companies need to quickly win on culture, otherwise your returns will suffer as people start to walk.
November 14, 2019
PwC’s Exit Strategies Report: When It’s Time To Sell, Make Sure You’re Ready
It’s OK if you’re not ready to sell now. Just be sure you’re ready when that time comes, say PwC’s Fentress Seagroves and Shari Forman.
November 13, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz Shares His Secrets To Good Dealmaking
Brian Demkowicz has a process for everything, enabling Huron Capital to continually make the right call on dealmaking opportunities.
November 13, 2019
Tom Lombardo: Invest in your exit strategy upfront
Prior to a sale, it’s critical to professionalize your company, whether that means planning, education or just a better understanding of its value. And as with any strategy, that may require an investment to bear fruit, says Adams Manufacturing President and CEO Tombardo.
November 12, 2019
Longaberger intellectual property sold
Xcel Brands Inc. and Chicago-based Hilco Global have acquired the intellectual property of Longaberger. Xcel Brands, a media and consumer products company, will manage the American heritage home and collectibles brand out of its New York City headquarters going forward.
November 12, 2019
BioEnterprise’s Aram Nerpouni: Talent Is Vital To Creating Deal Opportunities In Cleveland’s Health Care Sector
Cool ideas are great. Investors want to see the leadership and the team behind the idea before they invest, says the nonprofit's president and CEO.
November 12, 2019
Falls’ Rob Falls: Merger With Wyse Provides Tools To Continue Growing, Evolving
Rob Falls needed to make an acquisition. When he found a peer in the Cleveland marketing industry who was looking to sell, he got to work negotiating a deal.
November 12, 2019
Threekit Closes $20M Series A Round
The funding round was led by Shasta Ventures. Additional investors include Salesforce Ventures, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Hall of Famer Steve Young, Marketo Co-Founder Phil Fernandez and serial SaaS entrepreneur Godard Abel.
November 12, 2019
Aon’s Vipul Patel explains the role of reps and warranties insurance
The use of reps and warranty insurance is on the rise, as it helps sellers walk away after a deal closes and gives buyers risk protection. Aon's Vipul Patel goes over the nuts and bolts of this M&A tool.
November 12, 2019
Ohio Innovation Fund invests in Windpact
Ohio Innovation Fund, a Columbus venture capital firm, has invested in Windpact. The impact safety technology company is founded and led by Shawn Springs, a 13-year NFL veteran who played collegiately at The Ohio State University.
November 7, 2019
Robots, automation and AI, oh my!
Last month, participants in Columbus VC firm Drive Capital’s second robotics and automation summit — Devol’s Dance — spent the day exploring the future. While automation is critical to many of Drive Capital’s portfolio companies, two researchers shared how robots, overall, are changing the way we think and how we do our jobs.
November 7, 2019
Atkins Cos buys West Mifflin medical office building
Atkins Companies has acquired a 26,174-square-foot medical office building in West Mifflin. The outpatient facility is fully leased by Allegheny Health Network and bolsters the New Jersey firm's portfolio in the rapidly growing Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
November 7, 2019
1315 Capital’s Adele Oliva talks big (and little) picture on the state of health care M&A
Finding investment success isn’t necessarily about being granularly focused on a super-niche sector or subsector. In fact, for Adele Oliva and 1315 Capital, success can be a product of being able to see the bigger picture.
November 7, 2019
MedPilot Co-Founders Bring A Methodical Approach To Scaling Their Business
Matt Buder Shapiro and Nathan Spoden have taken a humble yet confident approach to building MedPilot.
November 7, 2019
BGL Sells Warnock Food Products To Calbee
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November 6, 2019
Clearcover’s Kyle Nakatsuji: Talk To As Many Investors As You Can
Pitching investors works best when you connect with as many as possible, says the auto insurer's CEO.
November 5, 2019
O2’s Jay Hansen: M&A Works Best When Both Sides Are Ready To Deal
Dealmaking works better when there is M&A expertise on both sides of the table, says the private equity firm's managing partner.
November 5, 2019
Confluence’s Mark Evans builds trust to gain backing to take over a larger company
Mark Evans has found transparency to be his most powerful tool when working with private equity owners. That's how he was able to convince his new PE firm to help Confluence buy the larger, publicly traded StatPro.
November 5, 2019
Worthington Industries Engineered Cabs sold
Angeles Equity Partners LLC, a Los Angeles private investment firm, has acquired Worthington Industries Engineered Cabs from Worthington Industries and Crenlo Cab Products LLC, with its Emcor and Siac do Brasil affiliates, from KPS Capital Partners LP.
November 1, 2019
GT Entrepreneurs closes deal for Service-Tech Corp.
Pittsburgh’s GT Entrepreneurs has closed its third deal, as Gabriel Chick, a GTE operator-in-residence, has completed the final paperwork to acquire Service-Tech Corp., a Cleveland-based HVAC and industrial cleaning company.
November 1, 2019
It took some hard lessons for Bob Grote to learn the best way to acquire companies
Bob Grote has been CEO of Grote Co. for more than a decade, but even after five acquisitions, he has to guard against deal fever. Grote discusses deal challenges and lessons learned.
October 31, 2019
Thar Process’ Lalit Chordia: How to find the right investors or buyer
With growth comes the need for funding, says Lalit Chordia. The CEO of Thar Process, who sold two of his other companies in 2009 and 2016, shares his philosophies for raising capital and exiting a business.
October 31, 2019
U of M’s David Brophy: Michigan Needs To Retain More Talent, Secure More Investment Dollars
The Michigan Private Equity Conference is part of an effort to spur private equity investment and activity in the state.
October 31, 2019
Dr. Ellen Stang unlocks growth with a little PE help
Progeny Health, founded by Dr. Ellen Stang, has been profitable and debt-free since the beginning. But when her business hit a wall about eight years in, some friendly advice helped her unlock the company's growth.
October 30, 2019
Staffing Solutions’ SueAnn Naso: When Buying A Business, Take The Time To Do It Right
SueAnn Naso and Carmella Calta are good friends. But they still had to follow the proper steps when Calta sold her business, Staffing Solutions, to Naso.
October 30, 2019
Shore Capital Partners’ Justin Ishbia: Shared Vision Often Leads To Great Deal Opportunities
Shore Capital Partners's Justin Ishbia sees tremendous potential for growth at Akron, Ohio-based Main Street Gourmet.
October 30, 2019
Winbridge’s Chris MacLaren: Due Diligence Should Always Rate High On Your M&A Priority List
Chris MacLaren crunches the numbers at Winbridge, enabling PE/VC firms time to raise capital and source new deals.
October 30, 2019
Rock The House Announces Ownership Change
Rock The House Entertainment Group Inc. has new ownership with COO Ryan Konikoff acquiring the majority share of the business. Rock The House Founder and CEO Matt Radicelli will remain at the helm of the company.
October 30, 2019
Domino’s Pizza Announces Recapitalization Transaction
Domino's had global retail sales of over $13.5 billion in 2018, with nearly $6.6 billion in the U.S. and more than $6.9 billion internationally.
October 29, 2019
Apeks Supercritical sold to Rough Brothers
Apeks Supercritical, a Johnstown-based CO2 extraction manufacturer, has been acquired by Rough Brothers Inc., a Cincinnati greenhouse design and manufacturing company. The move allows Apeks to join forces with RBI and other companies to create a full-service solution in cannabis cultivation and processing.
October 29, 2019
Proper Rate Is New Joint Venture For Guaranteed Rate, @properties
The new company, which plans to launch early in 2020, intends to deliver a high-end, customer-focused retail mortgage lending experience and drive growth in select markets around the country.
October 28, 2019
Target Freight Management Buys NTS
Target Freight Management has acquired National Traffic Service Inc., a freight auditing and payment service. The strategic acquisition will better serve the end-to-end logistical needs of TFM’s less-than-truckload, full truckload and parcel freight customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
October 24, 2019
Gabriel Performance Products Buy Deltech Portfolio
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October 24, 2019
Falls Buys Wyse In Deal That Combines Two Cleveland Firms
Wyse, which was founded in Cleveland in 1951, will be retaining its name, but will be co-branded a Falls company. A location or locations for the new company has yet to be decided.
October 24, 2019
Denise Devine’s tips and traps for capital-raising entrepreneurs
RTM Vital Signs' co-founder Denise Devine explores the stages of capital raising and what entrepreneurs should look for, and look out for, at each.
October 23, 2019
Randy Carver: There Is Much To Think About As You Prepare To Sell
The first question you need to ask yourself if you’re thinking about selling your business, says Randy Carver, is what do you want to do next?
October 22, 2019
Fifth Season expands its vertical farming, stays focused on capital efficiency
Vertical farming is capital intensive, which is why Fifth Season co-founder and CEO Austin Webb relies on his financial analyst and investment banking background to help manage the funding for the startup, which has raised over $35 million to date.
October 22, 2019
The preparation with Myonexus pays off for Michael Triplett
Selling can be emotionally exhausting, but Michael Triplett knows extensive preparation was critical for the successful sale of Myonexus Therapeutics to Sarepta Therapeutics earlier this year. He looks back on the $165 million deal.
October 21, 2019
Harry Cendrowski: Take Steps To Ensure You Have A Comprehensive M&A Strategy
Any time you rush into M&A activity, the likelihood is that you’re not going to do very well, says Harry Cendrowski.
October 21, 2019
Nationwide invests in Upstream Security
Upstream Security, an Israel-based company that provides cybersecurity for connected vehicles, raised $30 million in a Series B funding round backed by a prominent syndicate of investors, including some of the world’s largest OEM automotive vehicle manufacturers, insurance and fleet operators.
October 21, 2019
Huron Capital’s Gretchen Perkins: You Don’t Have To Walk Away After You Sell
Business owners have numerous options as they explore the sale of their business, explains Gretchen Perkins.
October 21, 2019
LyGenesis Closes $4M Convertible Debt Financing
LyGenesis Inc., a Pittsburgh biotechnology company focused on organ regeneration, has completed a $4 million in private financing of convertible notes from Juvenescence Ltd. and Longevity Vision Fund. This will enable LyGenesis’s lead program in liver regeneration to transition into clinical development.
October 21, 2019
Cleveland Clinic, American Well Partner On Digital Health Joint Venture
The Clinic expects to offer online access to expert care across a wide array of specialties without requiring individuals to leave their homes.
October 18, 2019
Always on the lookout for opportunities, Rhett Ricart sees talent as key
Rhett Ricart, who has bought and sold a number of dealerships over the years for Ricart Automotive, shares his M&A strategies and how the family business is tackling succession planning.
October 18, 2019
Buddy Flerl on today’s hectic and fatiguing deal market
Veteran dealmaker Buddy Flerl talks about what he’s seeing in the market and his approach to dealmaking.
October 18, 2019
VoIP Innovations purchased by Sangoma
Ontario-headquartered Sangoma Technologies Corp. has acquired VoIP Innovations LLC for $42 million, if certain conditions are reached. The acquisition, Sangoma’s eighth in eight years, should provide the combined company with increased scale, more recurring revenue, a new product category, robust EBITDA margins, and a new sales channel within Sangoma’s broader portfolio.
October 17, 2019
Piston Group buys Marion Industries
Piston Automotive, a subsidiary of the Piston Group formed by Detroit businessman and NBA legend Vinnie Johnson, has acquired Ohio-based Marion Industries, a Tier 1 assembler of brake modules for Honda of America. The deal expands Piston Automotive’s footprint into the Central Ohio region and further diversifies the company’s growing list of OEM customers.
October 17, 2019
Acquisitions Drive Opportunity As MAI Nears $7B
Acquisitions have MAI Capital poised to top $7 billion in assets under management, says Rick Buoncore, with more deals and more growth to come.
October 17, 2019
Martyn Babitz offers owners tips on personally maximizing their returns post-liquidity
BNY Mellon Wealth Management's Martyn Babitz offers tips for business owners on how to get their post-deal finances in order well before a transaction begins to maximize their post-liquidity returns.
October 16, 2019
Tecum Equity buys Pinnacle Cranes
Pinnacle Cranes, a Link-Belt and Manitex dealer in North Carolina and South Carolina, has been purchased by Western Allegheny Capital LLC, and Tecum Equity, a Pittsburgh-based family office investment partnership.
October 16, 2019
Savorfull’s Stacy Goldberg: Don’t Make A Deal If It Doesn’t Serve Your Needs
Dealmaking can be exciting, but it can also be a pathway to uncertainty if you’re not prepared, says Savorfull CEO Stacy Goldberg.
October 16, 2019
Perfect Home Services To Buy Able Heating & Cooling
Able Heating & Cooling owners Pete and Sherry Manthe will remain with the business for the next couple of years to ensure a smooth transition for their customers.
October 16, 2019
Sphera’s Paul Marushka: A Little Conversation Can Go A Long Way In Dealmaking
One M&A transaction can lead to another, if you take the right approach. Paul Marushka explains how dealmaking is driving his vision at Sphera.
October 15, 2019
MC Group’s Tim Eippert: Lack Of Customer Overlap Facilitates MC Group/Icon Merger
In dealmaking, you don’t grow just to double, says Tim Eippert. You want more. The CEO of MC Group explains how integration will play a key role in maximizing the benefits of its merger with Icon.
October 10, 2019
Fyllo’s Chad Bronstein: Pitch Investors With Confidence, Not Arrogance
Chad Bronstein shares tips on how he engaged investors and helped Fyllo raise $18 million in seed funding.
October 10, 2019
Jeremy Falendysz: Sellers Are Often Their Own Worst Enemy In Maximizing Deal Value
Sellers who want to boost value ahead of a potential sale often do more harm than good, says UHY Corporate Finance’s Jeremy Falendysz.
October 10, 2019
Jeremy Flack: Dealmaking Isn’t Supposed To Be Painless
You'll never get a deal done if you’re unwilling to compromise at the negotiating table, says Flack Global Metals CEO Jeremy Flack.
October 10, 2019
Ted Lentz talks transaction preparedness when selling Lentz Milling
Ted Lentz, now CFO and Chief Analytics Officer at JM Swank, reveals the steps he took to prepare his family’s business, Lentz Milling, for the auction block.
October 10, 2019
These sisters roll up their sleeves for the nitty gritty hard work of growing The W Nail Bar
Manda Mason and Lauren Hunter share the story behind their rapidly growing nail salon business, which includes a unique store-within-a-store partnership deal with DSW.
October 10, 2019
Tecum Capital’s Matt Harnett: Investors should work on the business, not in it
The PE firm’s founding partner shares his insights into how Tecum Capital manages the investments in makes in its more than 40 portfolio companies.
October 8, 2019
FedEx truck terminal sold to Sealy & Co.
Sealy & Company, a Dallas-headquartered commercial real estate investment and operating company in the industrial real estate market, has acquired a 252-dock door Class A truck terminal in West Jefferson. The facility’s accessible location and rapidly expanding bulk industrial submarket made it attractive to Sealy.
October 8, 2019
Battelle sells DroneDefender assets
Dedrone, a San Francisco company that specializes in counter-small unmanned aircraft systems technology, has purchased all assets and intellectual property associated with DroneDefender from Battelle. Dedrone plans to launch a new consultancy that detects and classifies airspace activity, protects assets from drone threats and defeats adversary drones.
October 7, 2019
Worthington Industries Buys Heidtman Steel Processing Facility
The facility will complement Columbus-based Worthington’s network of facilities in Northeast Ohio, including its cold rolled steel processing facility in Cleveland and Samuel Steel Pickling Co., a joint venture, in Cleveland and Twinsburg.
October 4, 2019
How TPC Training's Ty Field Sizes Up Acquisitions
Ty Field, brought in by Frontenac to build up TPC Training, talks about his approach to making acquisitions.
October 4, 2019
Key Deals Propel Gent Machine To Steady Growth
Rich Gent talks about two pivotal deals in Gent Machine Co.’s history that have set the business up for a bright future.
October 3, 2019
Serial Entrepreneur Dan Pries On Financial Vs Strategic Buyers
Serial entrepreneur Dan Pries, who is currently running OptivityX, talks about selling businesses and what he’s learned about the differences in strategic and financial buyers.
October 3, 2019
TriPower Capital's Robert Sharpe: Capitalizing on Underserved Markets
The TriPower founding partner talks about his eye for making deals in the food and beverage space and one of the most common problems with today’s business landscape.
October 3, 2019
Evoqua to divest Memcor product line
Evoqua Water Technologies has agreed to divest its Memcor® membrane product line to DuPont Safety & Construction. The transaction, which includes the product line’s global workforce, its manufacturing site in Windsor, Australia, associated operations and intellectual property, is expected to close by the end of 2019. The sale allows Evoqua to focus on core products and solutions.
October 3, 2019
Safelite's Tom Feeney: Speed, Focus Are Keys To Integration
After 100 deals during his time at Safelite, the CEO says he may have slowed the number of acquisitions, but he won't slow the pace of integrating the companies he does buy.
October 2, 2019
Ohio Basement Systems Finds Growth Foundation In Sale To Groundworks
Mike Rusk talks about how the sale of his Ohio Basement Systems to Groundworks will give the company an even stronger support structure for the future growth of the business he and his wife Gayle started in 1998.
October 2, 2019
Angel Investing: The Power Of Group Intelligence
Former American Eagle President Don Morrison, who now mentors entrepreneurs as chairman of deal flow for BlueTree Allied Angels, talks about angel investing, scaling startups and what entrepreneurs should be looking for when it comes to investors.
October 1, 2019
U.S. Steel takes stake in Big River Steel
Under joint venture partnership agreement, United States Steel Corp. has taken first step toward acquiring Big River Steel, purchasing a 49.9 percent ownership interest for approximately $700 million in cash, with a call option to acquire the remaining interest within the next four years. Acquiring Big River, which operates the most advanced, state-of-the-art and sustainable mill in North America, will strengthen the Pittsburgh-headquartered company’s competitive positioning.
October 1, 2019
Golub & Co. Buys Chicago Loop Office Tower Burnham Center
Golub & Co. plans to refresh the tenant amenities, which include a fitness center, private tenant lounge, and conferencing facilities. Ground-floor retail includes a mix of national and regional tenants.
September 30, 2019
Autokiniton Completes Acquisition Of Tower International
AGG's Autokiniton US Holdings, Inc. subsidiary paid $31 a share in cash, or about $900 million after accounting for debt and pension liabilities. The deal was announced in July.
September 27, 2019
ExpressCells completes Series A round with $1.2M total raise
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September 27, 2019
How DNS Capital Finds The Right Deals
DNS Capital's Elizabeth Browne talks about the importance of good management and the challenges of finding the right company in which to invest.
September 27, 2019
Studio B’s Bonnie Smith: Think Before You Bootstrap
Brand agency founder Bonnie Smith talks about the key questions you need to ask before you try to bootstrap your business and her role as a pioneer for other African-American female entrepreneurs.
September 27, 2019
Deal Outlook: Corporate Divestitures Offer Opportunity, Risks
Tom Zucker of M&A advisory firm EdgePoint Capital talks about the effect interest rates typically have on M&A activity and the continued rise of corporate divestitures in the dealmaking space.
September 27, 2019
Seasoned Operator Gerry Giudici On How To Achieve Synergies Through Acquisitions
Seasoned operating partner Gerry Giudici shares some of the key factors to consider when looking to achieve synergies through M&A.
September 27, 2019
2019 Columbus Dealmaker Of The Year Awards
The Smart Business Dealmakers Conference brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and advisers at the Hilton Columbus Downtown on Sept. 25. During the conference, Smart Business
September 27, 2019
Pitfalls And Best Practices For A Successful Acquisition
S&T Bank's Brian Dobis shares his perspective on three pitfalls and best practices when acquiring companies.
September 26, 2019
Project Management Institute buys FLEX from Net Objectives
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September 26, 2019
How Ted Karkus sold Cold-EEZE for $50 million
ProPhase Labs CEO Ted Karkus shares the strategy behind the 2017 sale of Cold-EEZE to Mylan for $50 million.
September 24, 2019
Family Offices Are On The Rise in Pittsburgh
Ann Dugan, who founded and led the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh for 30 years says more Pittsburgh-area families putting together a family office.
September 24, 2019
Deal Veteran Mike Sayre Pulls Back Curtain With Lessons Learned
Innovative Leadership Institute President Mike Sayre shares lessons learned from decades of dealmaking.
September 24, 2019
Vail Resorts closes deal for 17 US ski areas
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September 24, 2019
II-VI completes Finisar purchase
II‐VI Inc., a global provider of engineered materials and optoelectronic devices, has completed its acquisition of Finisar Corp. The acquisition was first announced Nov. 9, 2018. II-VI, which is headquartered in Saxonburg, expects to achieve $150 million in run rate synergies over the next three years.
September 23, 2019
Ohio Transmission Corp buys Tennessee compressed air company
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September 23, 2019
Bold Penguin raises $32M in Series B funding
Insuretech startup Bold Penguin Inc. completed a $32 million Series B funding round. The Columbus company, which has raised $51.8 million to date, will use the funds to accelerate R&D by way of growing its employee roster, which doubled in the past year, and lay runway for firm’s expansion into specialty markets that insure high-risk segments.
September 20, 2019
Selling A Business Is All About Focus
Sun Acquisitions President Domenic Rinaldi talks about a seller whose lack of focus killed a deal, tips on identifying the right buyer and the problem with selling to a competitor.
September 20, 2019
ScaleCo Strives To Change The PE Model
Brendan Anderson launched ScaleCo to be more of a partner in scaling lower-middle-market businesses, using a permanent capital investment model to develop sustainable growth platform companies.
September 20, 2019
Gregory Cessna On Why Due Diligence Drives Post-Deal Synergies
The CEO of Consumer Fresh Produce says the work that’s done before the deal paperwork is signed is often the most critical to long-term success.
September 20, 2019
Hugh Cathey: Smart Fundraising Requires Monitoring Market
Serial entrepreneur Hugh Cathey, now on his ninth startup with genetic testing company ChromoCare, shares his best practices for raising capital.
September 19, 2019
How Blockchain Could Impact Commercial Real Estate Investing
The future of dealmaking, specifically in the commercial real estate market, is in blockchain technology, says Inveniam Capital Partners’ Patrick O’Meara.
September 19, 2019
Horizon Global Closes $233M Sale Of Asia-Pacific Business Segment
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September 19, 2019
Taubman Centers Completes $300M Sale Of South Korean Shopping Center
Starfield Hanam is the largest Western-style shopping center in South Korea at nearly 1.7 million square feet.
September 19, 2019
Frank Lordi On The Ins And Outs Of Selling His Consulting Firm
Founder Frank Lordi discusses the factors that drove him to sell AC Lordi, and offers an inside look at the firm’s acquisition by BDO last May.
September 19, 2019
Shore Capital Partners Completes Recap Of Main Street Gourmet
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September 19, 2019
Foundation’s David Wood On Management Transitions
Foundation Investment Partners founder David Wood talks about his approach to minimizing trouble when making acquisitions.
September 19, 2019
As Gus Gear grows, Sarah Palya eyes taking on investors
Sarah Palya had limited business experience when she started Gus Gear. She’s had to learn as she goes, and now she feels her medical device startup is ready to jump to the next level, including possibly taking on investors.
September 18, 2019
AAM Sells Grede U.S. Casting Operations To Gamut Capital Management
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings will sell the U.S. operations in the U.S. to funds managed by Gamut for $245 million.
September 18, 2019
NextChapter sold to Fastcase
Fastcase, a Washington D.C. legal publisher, has acquired NextChapter, the Columbus startup that creates cloud-based bankruptcy software for attorneys and paralegals. Fastcase plans to invest in NextChapter to create products that integrate legal research, dockets and news, for bankruptcy and beyond.
September 18, 2019
Idelic raises $8M Series A round
Idelic, a Pittsburgh-based data and analytics startup, closed an $8 million Series A financing round, led by Chicago’s Origin Ventures with participation from TDF Ventures, Birchmere Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures and SaaS Venture Capital. Idelic will use the funds to grow its engineering and sales teams, and pave the way to release a mobile application.
September 16, 2019
Gordon Pointe to merge with Hall of Fame Village in $390M transaction
The merger is expected to produce a sports, entertainment and media enterprise surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
September 13, 2019
VillageMD’s Tim Barry: Investors Want To Give You Money
The co-founder and CEO of the healthcare management services company talks about his strategy when raising capital and the importance of establishing an ongoing dialogue with potential investors.
September 13, 2019
John McInerney On Finding The Right Deal Partners
M&A veteran John McInerney talks about his experience selling Keystone Printed Specialties and what it taught him about the value of good advisors.
September 13, 2019
Ikove Takes High Risks For Big Returns In Tech Commercialization
Ikove Capital Partners keeps a low profile, investing at the founder level in companies that commercialize technologies in partnership with Midwest research institutions like Ohio State. By the end of next year, it expects to have 20-plus companies in a portfolio that already includes Nikola Labs, ParaGen Technologies and Cognovi Labs.
September 12, 2019
Hyperion to buy German-based AFC
Hyperion Materials & Technologies Inc., a Worthington-headquartered materials science company focused on the hard and superhard materials space for high-precision applications, has agreed to acquire Arno Friedrichs Hartmetall GmbH & Co. KG and its affiliates. The strategic transaction is intended to make Hyperion a leading player in cemented carbide blank production.
September 12, 2019
TPA Stream's Jacob Sheridan: Find A Problem, Then Start A Business
Don’t try to start a business, advises TPA Stream CEO Jacob Sheridan. Try to find a big problem and come up with a creative way to solve it. That's your business.
September 12, 2019
Three keys to an effective recapitalization strategy
Greenwich Capital Group's Andrew Dickow shares what you need to consider when building an effective recapitalization strategy.
September 12, 2019
Fair Buys Canvas From Ford Credit
Ford Motor Credit Co. The agreement furthers Fair’s leadership position in the vehicle subscription category, enabling the company to continue to accelerate consumer adoption and expansion throughout the U.S.
September 11, 2019
Mill 19 Opens As Manufacturing Innovation Hub
Mill 19 recently celebrated its grand opening as the new home to key leaders in Pittsburgh’s manufacturing industry, including Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Initiative, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute and Catalyst Connection.
September 11, 2019
How Chuck Mattera Transformed II-VI With Acquisitions
Since Chuck Mattera joined II-VI Inc. in 2004, the manufacturer has completed more than 20 acquisitions. And he’s embarking on the largest deal yet as he works to close the acquisition of Finisar Corp. — a similar-sized company with annual revenues of $1.3 billion.
September 10, 2019
Kraft Heinz venture fund invests in cheese startup
New Culture, the San Francisco startup making animal-free dairy cheese, closed $3.5 million in seed round funding. The round was led by Evolv Ventures, the $100 million venture fund backed by Kraft Heinz investing in emerging tech companies transforming the food industry.
September 10, 2019
How MCM Capital Looks At Acquisitions
Senior Managing Partner Mark Mansour takes us inside his approach for evaluating investment opportunities at MCM Capital.
September 10, 2019
Southfield-Based e2View Inc. Raises $600,000 In Angel Funding
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September 10, 2019
McDonald’s Invests In Voice Technology, Buys Apprente
The Apprente team will be the founding members of a new, integrated, internal group within McDonald's Global Technology team called McD Tech Labs.
September 9, 2019
NEP Group to buy Aerial Video Systems
NEP Group, a Pittsburgh-headquartered outsourced technical production partner supporting content producers of live sports and entertainment, has agreed to acquire Aerial Video Systems. The addition of AVS will complement and build upon NEP’s Broadcast Services, especially its wireless AV capabilities.
September 9, 2019
Root raises $350M in Series E funding; now valued at $3.65B
This latest round, led by DST Global and Coatue, raises Root’s valuation to $3.65 billion and provides additional capital to accelerate growth in existing markets while expanding into new states and developing new product lines.
September 6, 2019
Alpha invests in opportunity zone near Rickenbacker
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September 6, 2019
Svoboda Capital's Jeff Piper: Culture, Leadership Are Keys
Managing Director Jeff Piper about Svoboda Capital Partners' formula for identifying good investment opportunities and what entrepreneurs can do to capture the eye of investors.
September 6, 2019
How to prep for a recapitalization
iPipeline's Kevin Kemmerer talks about how to prepare for a recapitalization — what to do and what to avoid when gearing up for an investment.
September 6, 2019
Wind Point to buy Callery from Edgewater Capital
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September 6, 2019
Mark Kovacevich: Culture Is King In Acquisitions
For Improving's Mark Kovacevich, the critical component to acquisitions has always been culture. “If the culture doesn’t work, the transaction is just not [going to work],” he says.
September 6, 2019
Dawn Fuchs Coleman On Selling The Family Business
Former Weavertown Environment Group CEO Dawn Fuchs Coleman talks about selling the family business and her journey from executive to coach and investor.
September 6, 2019
Before Buying, Consider Challenges As Well As Opportunities
Chris Gabrelcik always sees potential opportunities when looking to buy a company. But the CEO of Lubrication Specialties has to remind himself to bring a critical eye to the deal.
September 5, 2019
MC Group Merges With Icon
Mentor-based MC Group, which is owned by Bahrain's Arcapita, has merged with Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Icon to form one of the largest companies in the sign industry.
September 5, 2019
Warren Anderson: Early McDonald's Deal Built Distribution Powerhouse
Warren Anderson admits his approach to dealmaking is less refined than that of many entrepreneurs. “I'm kind of like a cowboy,” the founder of The Anderson-DuBose Co. says.
September 4, 2019
SPAGIO restaurant sold
SPAGIO, the Grandview restaurant and wine lounge founded by Chef Hubert Seifert and his wife, Helga, 38 years ago, has been sold to a Central Ohio-based restaurant group. Wine|Dine Holdings and cityBRANDS own and operate several restaurant concepts throughout the area, including The Wine Bistro, NAPA kitchen + bar and Katzinger’s Delicatessen.
September 4, 2019
Boston REIT completes $90.5M of purchases in four markets
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September 4, 2019
Safelite buys Auto Glass Specialists
Safelite® Group, a vehicle glass services and recalibration company and owner of Safelite® AutoGlass, has acquired the assets of Auto Glass Specialists. The single store location in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, will expand Safelite’s brick-and-mortar footprint in the area.
September 4, 2019
Novelis, Aleris deal faces challenge by U.S. Justice Department
Novelis Inc.’s deal to buy Aleris Corp. could be derailed by a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department, which is suing in order to preserve competition in the North American market for aluminum auto body sheet.
September 4, 2019
Why You Should Prepare To Sell, Even If You Don't
You never know when an opportunity is going to come along that you just can’t afford to pass up, says Vistage Michigan’s David Alden.
September 3, 2019
Inland Private Capital Sells Multifamily Property In $15M Deal
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September 2, 2019
MJR Digital Cinemas Sells To European Group in $152M Deal
MJR Digital Cinemas is privately held and operates 10 movie theater complexes with a total of 164 screens, all located in Michigan. In 2018, the company drew 6.2 million visitors with total revenue of $81.2 million.
August 30, 2019
MBF Therapeutics’ Tom Tillett On Raising Capital And Keeping Control
The animal health biotech company's founder and CEO talks about raising capital to fuel your organization’s growth and how to plan to pay back your investors. Here are some of the lessons he shared.
August 30, 2019
Debt Advisor Tom Lesch On Financing Riskier Deals
Livingstone Partners' Tom Lesch talks about his approach helping companies get the capital they need, as well as a recent trend that has seen borrowers become less willing to take risks.
August 29, 2019
Innkeeper Ellen Grinsfelder Finds The Right Buyer Second Time Around
The first time Ellen Grinsfelder tried to sell the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls was a bust. Three years later, she sold it without ever having to list it. Here's how she did it.
August 29, 2019
Peninsula Capital's Ty Clutterbuck
Peninsula Capital Partners' Ty Clutterbuck talks about his approach to making and assessing acquisition opportunities.
August 28, 2019
First Midwest To Buy Park Bank In $195M Deal
Park Bank is one of the largest independent commercial banks in Milwaukee with approximately $1 billion of total assets, $815 million of deposits — of which approximately 85% are core deposits — and $700 million of loans.
August 28, 2019
True North Energy buys Schmuckal Oil
Brecksville, Ohio-based True North Energy LLC has closed on the purchase of 25 convenience retailing and petroleum marketing assets from Schmuckal Oil Co. and its affiliates in the Traverse City, Mich., market.
August 28, 2019
Winding River Consulting's Gary Shamis
Gary Shamis, who has spent a lifetime in business making deals and growing companies, talks about his skills as a deal negotiator and lessons he’s learned as an investor.
August 28, 2019
How Krystal Biotech went from founding to IPO in 18 months
CEO Krish Krishnan is an experienced biotech executive. But even he didn’t expect to go from self-funding Krystal Biotech to IPO in 18 months.
August 28, 2019
Ilya Bodner blazes insuretech trail with Bold Penguin
Serial entrepreneur Ilya Bodner says every startup needs an idea, capital and great people. That's become the lens through which he makes all his decisions in building Bold Penguin, his fast-growing insuretech business.
August 27, 2019
Rubenstein Partners buys Chesterbrook Corporate Center
Philadelphia-based fund manager Rubenstein Partners has closed on its acquisition of Chesterbrook Corporate Center, a 1.1- million-square-foot, 14-building Class A office park in the Philadelphia suburb of Chesterbrook.
August 23, 2019
Circonus’ Bob Moul: How to reduce the pain of due diligence
Serial tech CEO Bob Moul talks about how to prepare — and protect — yourself before and during the due diligence process.
August 23, 2019
Park Place's Entuity Deal Marks Shifting Strategy
On his way to shifting Park Place Technologies' M&A strategy with a tricky deal to buy Britain's Entuity, Chris Adams takes a lesson from Microsoft’s Satya Nadella
August 23, 2019
John Rowady's rEvolution Accelerates Growth Through Deals
John Rowady, founder and president at marketing agency rEvolution discusses his passion for M&A and the strategy he follows to identify the right acquisition targets.
August 22, 2019
ACG's John Grabner: Recession Talk Not Slowing Down Pace Of Dealmaking
The president of the Cleveland Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth talks about some of the trends affecting dealmaking activity in Northeast Ohio.
August 22, 2019
SpotHero Announces $50M In Series D Funding, Closing In On $1B In All-Time Sales
The company offers the largest place to buy and sell parking in North America and has helped digitize nearly 7,000 parking facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
August 22, 2019
How To Optimize Capital To Support Growth
Veteran deal adviser Joseph Valentic walks through the process of determining your capital needs and how to find the best source to fund your growth.
August 22, 2019
Compass Self Storage buys Pittsburgh location
Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired Shaler Self Storage in Allison Park. This transaction marks the Cleveland company’s fourth location in the Greater Pittsburgh area and its 90th location nationwide.
August 21, 2019
BestTransport purchased by Canadian firm
Descartes Systems Group has acquired Columbus-headquartered BestTransport.com Inc., a cloud-based transportation management system provider focused on flatbed-intensive manufacturers and distributors, for $11.2 million. The deal should strengthen the Ontario company’s transportation management footprint.
August 21, 2019
Courtyard Columbus-Worthington sold
Commonwealth Hotels LLC has bought the Courtyard Columbus-Worthington in order to expand its reach in the Columbus market through the Worthington property. The transaction is the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky metropolitan area company’s fourth Courtyard and 21 Marriott hotel.
August 21, 2019
Pitt's Big Idea Center guides first-time entrepreneurs
Babs Carryer, director of Pitt's Big Idea Center talks about Pittsburgh’s startup ecosystem, raising capital and the Big Idea Center.
August 21, 2019
How Advanced Drainage Systems Fast-Tracked Infiltrator Acquisition
CEO Scott Barbour grabbed the pole position, and never let his foot off the gas in his bid to close the $1 billion deal.
August 20, 2019
Avalon Precision Casting bought by Sigma Electric
Avalon Precision Casting is being acquired by Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corp., a manufacturer of ferrous and non-ferrous castings.
August 20, 2019
Bayer to sell Animal Health unit
Indiana-based Elanco Animal Health has agreed to buy Bayer AG’s animal health business in a cash and stock deal valued at $7.6 billion. The transaction creates the second largest maker of medicines for pets and livestock and falls in line with Bayer's strategy to slash debt.
August 20, 2019
PNC Mezzanine Capital recapitalizes Mountainside Fitness
PNC Mezzanine Capital recently completed a minority recapitalization of a $15 million preferred stock investment with Mountainside Fitness. PNC Mezzanine Capital and the Mountainside management team plan to continue to expand the company’s leadership position in the Arizona fitness community and beyond.
August 19, 2019
Grove City Medical Center to join AHN
Grove City Medical Center, Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health have signed an affiliation agreement. Pending government approval of the merger, the organizations expect to close on the affiliation in the next few months, establishing Grove City as AHN’s ninth owned hospital.
August 19, 2019
Installed Building Products buys Therm-Con
Installed Building Products Inc., an installer of insulation and complementary building products, has acquired Therm-Con LLC and Foamtech Inc. With trailing 12-month revenue of $4.7 million, Therm-Con enhances IBP’s presence in markets throughout Tennessee and its surrounding states.
August 19, 2019
Safelite Group to buy TruRoad
Safelite® Group has agreed to acquire the combined businesses of TruRoad, which includes COP TruRoad Parent LLC and COS SCS Parent LLC, from Dallas PE firm CenterOak Partners LLC. With this deal, Safelite will have increased capacity to expand its national footprint, accelerate growth and better serve its customers and clients.
August 16, 2019
Buying a business? Better have a plan
Companies preparing themselves for their first acquisition might appreciate Don Caldwell’s advice: “The plan comes first.”
August 16, 2019
Cinderella Story: How Michael Blair Built Deka Lash
When Michael Blair and his wife Jennifer founded Deka Lash in 2011, the reaction from Pittsburgh was raised eyebrows and roadblocks. Today, he has 60 franchise locations across the country.
August 16, 2019
VentureOhio’s Tabs Top 50 Startups To Watch
Columbus’ startup culture is bustling, with 24 Central Ohio companies called out by VentureOhio in its 2019 list of Ohio’s top 50 most promising startups. Northeast Ohio has 10 startups on the list.
August 16, 2019
Communication Planning Is A Must When Making A Deal
Shannon Stucky Pritchett of FTI Consulting discusses the importance of a solid communications strategy upon the close of a transaction.
August 16, 2019
Investors Seek Startup CEOs Who Are Willing To Take Risks
Early-stage entrepreneurs who are willing to put it all on the line to build a business are held in high regard by investors — even if they ultimately fail, says StartInCLE founder Ed Buchholz.
August 15, 2019
GhostWave's Dean Zody pinpoints route to commercialization
GhostWave founder Dean Zody discusses his company, which grew out of research at The Ohio State University, and its progress toward scale and commercialization.
August 13, 2019
Level One Bancorp To Merge With Ann Arbor Bancorp In $67.8M Deal
Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will operate under the Level One name and have over $1.8 billion in assets, $1.4 billion in loans and $1.5 billion in deposits, based upon financials as of June 30.
August 12, 2019
Motus Integrated Technologies To Buy Janesville Fiber Solutions
Janesville produces high-performance engineered acoustical and thermal fiber solutions for a variety of automotive applications
August 12, 2019
Selling Your Business Can Be An Exhausting Process
For founder Howard Lewis, the act of selling Family Heritage Life was ultimately positive as it gave him the opportunity to pursue other passions in his life. But it was also exhausting.
August 9, 2019
Joy Taylor On The Keys To Good Deal Prep
TayganPoint Consulting co-founder Joy Taylor talks about how she prepared to sell her business to Grant Thornton, and what she would do differently if she had it to do all over again.
August 8, 2019
How Andrew Lefkowitz Ferments Deals
Andy Lefkowitz is an experienced dealmaker, having two major exits from one business. He also knows what he doesn’t know. That's his formula for success at his latest business, Locus Fermentation Solutions.
August 8, 2019
GovQA's Growth Equity Deal: It's About Insight, Not Money
John Dilenschneider didn’t need money. He wanted a partner that could help GovQA capitalize on its leadership position in the growing market of enterprise workflow software.
August 8, 2019
Structuring Your Own Deal: 'They Thought We Were Nuts'
When the co-owners of Two Men and A Truck – Columbus came up with a unique plan to sell their franchise to an employee, their lawyers were skeptical. Very skeptical. But after two false starts, Gail and John Kelley sold the moving company's No. 2 franchise.
August 7, 2019
Mobility Startups Ride Wave Of Momentum
Ann Arbor SPARK’s Komal Doshi is working to create more mobility deal opportunities for companies like May Mobility, which has raised more than $33 million for its autonomous shuttles.
August 7, 2019
Dominic DiPuccio: Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Deal attorney Dominic DiPuccio talks about prioritizing what's important and what's not when buying or selling a company.
August 7, 2019
Anheuser-Busch Buys Platform Beer
Anheuser-Busch InBev has acquired Cleveland-based craft brewer Platform Beer Co. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Platform, founded by Paul Benner and Justin Carson in 2014 as a homebrew-inspired
August 7, 2019
CMU’s Farnam Jahanian on talent development and regional investment
Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian is a glass half full kind of guy. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t see challenges ahead for those who want to leverage entrepreneurship and innovation to create wealth in the Pittsburgh region.
August 6, 2019
Collaboration, corporates draw Heartland Ventures to Columbus
South Bend, Ind.-based Heartland Ventures, which focuses on connecting startups to corporations, picked Columbus out of 15 Midwest cities for expansion because of the corporate involvement in the city's collaborative early-stage community.
August 5, 2019
Coeo raises angel round
Warrendale, Pennsylvania-based Coeo, which brings people and spaces together, has raised $100,100 of angel funding in the form of SAFE notes from undisclosed investors. Additionally, the company raised $30,000 of angel funding from undisclosed investors on Feb. 22, 2019.
August 2, 2019
Navigant to be bought by Guidehouse for $1.1B
Chicago-based consulting firm Navigant Consulting Inc. is set to be acquired by Guidehouse, a Washington D.C.-based management consulting firm for $1.1 billion.
August 2, 2019
Stuart Sorkin: No Secret Equation For Right Time To Exit
Stuart Sorkin talks about his journey rejuvenating Affy Tapple and the difficulty he faced making the decision to exit the business.
August 2, 2019
Thaddeus Bartkowski Took Control To Make Deals Work For Catalyst Outdoor
Thaddeus Bartkowski shares how taking deal matters into his own hands ultimately paid off for Catalyst Outdoor Advertising.
August 1, 2019
Family Offices: Education And Focus Are Critical To Success
As family offices take an increased interest in direct investing, focus and education are keys to success, says Ann Dugan of the Family Office Exchange.
August 1, 2019
ADS buys Infiltrator Water Technologies
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. has acquired Infiltrator Water Technologies for approximately $1.08 billion, from an affiliate of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and other stockholders. The deal builds on ADS’ existing water management solutions platform and is an opportunity to expand into the on-site septic business.
August 1, 2019
COHatch's Matt Davis Seeks To Connect Startups To Investors
The founder of COhatch discusses how it fits — or doesn’t — into the coworking space, and how he hopes to leverage the business to strengthen startup communities.
July 31, 2019
Nationwide invests in pet app VitusVet
Nationwide has made another strategic investment in VitusVet, a provider of mobile solutions for pet owners and veterinary practices. Nationwide will also serve on the VitusVet board of directors.
July 30, 2019
The Behavioral Side Of Investing
AdCap Management Chief Investment Officer Chaya Slain explores the human side of investing and shares what she has learned to minimize mistakes.
July 30, 2019
Parker Hannifin set to buy Exotic Metals Forming for $1.7B
Parker Hannifin Corp. is set to acquire Exotic Metals Forming Company LLC for $1.725 billion in cash.
July 30, 2019
Ford buys robotics company Quantum Signal
Ford has acquired Quantum Signal, a Saline, Michigan, mobile robotics company, which helped the military develop software that allowed it to remotely control robotic vehicles from thousands of miles away. The transaction should help advance Ford’s goal of launching a self-driving vehicle business, including software development and hardware prototyping.
July 30, 2019
Drive Capital invests in Physna
The early stage technology startup in Cincinnati completed a $6.9 million Series A round of financing led by Columbus-based Capital.
July 30, 2019
Windsor Industrial's David Costa: Buyers Should Always Be Closing
David Costa prefers to move fast when making acquisitions, moving form LOI to purchase agreement within 10 days. It’s an approach built out of hard lessons learned putting in the time and effort and walking away without a deal.
July 30, 2019
Tom Ferkovic: Assessing Deal Opportunities In Health Care
Thomas Ferkovic, CEO of Medic Management Group, talks about dealmaking in health care, both from the perspective of the physician and the potential investor.
July 29, 2019
Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn division to combine
Mylan N.V. and Pfizer Inc. have agreed to combine Mylan with Upjohn, Pfizer’s off-patent branded and generic established medicines business, creating a new global pharmaceutical company. The strategic deal puts together Mylan’s pipeline and supply chain and Upjohn’s commercial and medical infrastructure and expertise, in order to serve more than 165 markets.
July 26, 2019
What Tom Bonney Learned From Selling Two Businesses
After selling his first consulting business, Tom Bonney built CMF Associates from the ground up with a clear goal of selling to the right buyer. Here's what he learned.
July 26, 2019
Campbell reportedly selling Australian biscuit maker Arnott’s
New York private equity firm KKR & Co is reportedly closing in on a deal to acquire Australian biscuit maker Arnott's, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
July 26, 2019
Harry Cendrowski: Due Diligence Critical To Successful Acquisitions
Harry Cendrowski, founding member and managing director at Cendrowski Corporate Advisors, discusses the evolving approach to due diligence in dealmaking.
July 26, 2019
Collaboration Drives Momentum In Cleveland’s Startup Community
JumpStart CEO Ray Leach has been focused on urgency of late in his assessment of Northeast Ohio’s startup community.
July 25, 2019
Kassel Equity Shifts Buying From Properties To Businesses
After cutting his teeth on real estate investing, Kassel Equity found it could create more value in buying businesses than properties, says Managing Partner Brett Motherwell.
July 24, 2019
Gemphire Therapeutics merges with NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals
The merged company will take on the NeuroBo name and focus on the company’s clinical-stage drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
July 24, 2019
Stephen Polk On Buying, Selling And The Power Of Data
Former R.L. Polk CEO Stephen Polk talks about the sale of the business, his Highgate family office investing platform and his continuing love for data-driven processes.
July 23, 2019
Vail Resorts buys 17 U.S. ski areas for $264 million
The acquisition includes Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River Mountain in Ohio; and Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania.
July 23, 2019
Mark DeSantis steers RoadBotics through rapid growth
RoadBotics CEO Mark DeSantis shares his experience building RoadBotics from the ground up, including rapid two-year growth since it got its first customers.
July 23, 2019
Selling Your Business: Take Time To Do It Right
Spectrum Diversified Designs founder Sheldon Goodman talks about the process he followed to find the right buyer and the importance of having industry experts in your corner who can guide you to a more informed decision.
July 22, 2019
Huron Capital-Backed Sciens Building Solutions Buys Firm
The transaction represents the latest acquisition for Sciens since Huron Capital formed the platform in 2016 to pursue a buy-and-build investment strategy in the fire service and integrated solutions sector.
July 22, 2019
Etsy To Buy Reverb In $275M Deal
Acquiring the leading online marketplace for new, used and vintage musical instruments will enable Etsy to expand into a new vertical with a company that has a similar strategy and business model.
July 22, 2019
Westinghouse buys Canada’s NA Engineering Associates
The Canadian provider of engineering solutions has significant nuclear expertise, which will help diversify the Cranberry Township company’s engineering capabilities.
July 22, 2019
REIT buys distribution center leased to Pepsi unit
Canada's Granite REIT bought a total of three industrial properties including an 802,390-square-foot distribution center near Rickenbacker International Airport.
July 19, 2019
How To Leverage Your Banker, Even Without Using Debt
Wes Gillespie, ErieBank’s regional president for the Cleveland market, talks about the bank’s role in the acquisitions process and how lenders can be a valuable M&A partner, even if you’re not using debt to finance your acquisition.
July 18, 2019
Gabriela Rodil: Best Practices For Selling Your Business
The experienced dealmaker talks about best practices when putting your company on the market and the keys to optimizing its value.
July 18, 2019
BioAdvance’s Rick Jones: Look Beyond The Dollars When Investing In Biotech
Rick Jones, an internist-turned-entrepreneur who is now a partner at the VC firm BioAdvance, offers cautionary advice to investors who would let dollar signs block a more practical insight into biotech investing.
July 18, 2019
Look Good Brands buys Legends Boxing
The subsidiary of Canonsburg-based Deka Lash is attempting to bring together a range of beauty, health and fitness brands.
July 18, 2019
Dave Zilko On Selling Garden Fresh Gourmet
Dave Zilko talks about how the Garden Fresh Gourmet deal got done, the emotional toll that dealmaking can take and the move Campbell’s made earlier this year to sell the business.
July 17, 2019
Ice Miller’s Michael Jordan: Investor Appetite For Alternatives Remains High
Michael Jordan didn’t expect to become an expert in investor-side representation for alternative investments. He stumbled into the niche 22 years ago. Here's what he's seeing in the marketplace.
July 17, 2019
IPEG Industrial: Lessons from a strategic mid-market buyer
John Erkert has helped IPEG Industrial Group buy three industrial companies and sell another over the course of six years to build a global business in the plastics-processing, waste recycling and industrial heat-transfer markets.
July 16, 2019
MPD Chemicals bought by Entegris Inc.
The acquisition is expected to help Entegris continue to grow and diversify its engineered materials portfolio, which was recently expanded with the acquisition of Digital Specialty Chemicals.
July 16, 2019
Lubrizol buys Bavaria Medizin Technologie
This acquisition is intended to build on Lubrizol’s expertise in precision thermoplastic extrusion and product development.
July 16, 2019
Chemical, TCF Deal Receives Regulatory Approval
The combined company is expected to have over $46 billion in total assets and be a top 10 bank in the Midwest based on deposit market share.
July 16, 2019
Michael Canty: Quit Whining And Go Make Some Money
Turnaround CEO Michael Canty talks about his approach to making deals in tough situations and the value of staying true to your convictions.
July 16, 2019
RoadBotics raises $7.5M Series A round
The Pittsburgh-based company, which grew out of Carnegie Mellon University research into standardizing road assessment using artificial intelligence, has raised $11.4 million over five rounds.
July 16, 2019
Built In Closes $22M Series C Funding
This is the second-largest round of funding in Chicago raised by a woman CEO leading a digital technology company, according to Pitchbook.
July 16, 2019
Middleby Buys Packaging Progressions Inc.
Packaging Progressions is a $30 million Pennsylvania-based provider of automated packaging technologies for customers in the protein and bakery segments.
July 12, 2019
Analytics, Not Your Gut, Are Best Judge Of Management
To figure out who’s the right fit for post-acquisition management, Tim Kardish relies not on gut instinct, but contemporary tools designed to assess the skillset, expertise and adaptability of the leadership team.
July 11, 2019
Kennametal to close Westmoreland County facility with restructuring
Kennametal Inc. plans to close its manufacturing facility in Irwin, Pennsylvania, as well as two manufacturing facilities and a distribution center in Germany. The restructuring actions should facilitate a simplified and leaner structure, while further positioning the company for long-term profitable growth.
July 10, 2019
At DNS Capital, Management Talent Drives Investment
The family office for Gigi Pritzker and Michael Pucker follow Jay Pritzker's mantra of investing in exceptional management teams to drive success, says Elizabeth Browne, the firm's head of business development.
July 10, 2019
Rachel Angel Preps Peerro For Growth
Founder Rachel Angel discusses how she wants to grow Peerro by helping create stronger employment connections between companies and young adults.
July 10, 2019
Green Growth Brands combines with MXY Holdings
Green Growth Brands Inc. has agreed to create a new Ontario limited partnership with MXY Holdings LLC, among others, where GGB will acquire the issued and outstanding units of Moxie in an all-equity interest transaction for around $310 million. The plan is to create the first 360-degree cannabis company.
July 9, 2019
Navigator Management Partners purchased by Avaap
Avaap has acquired Columbus-based Navigator Management Partners, a cross-platform management and technology consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, business intelligence and change management. The strategic acquisition expands the Edison, New Jersey, firm’s capabilities.
July 9, 2019
Planning Is Timeless; So Is Change
Sequoia Financial Group's Tom Haught and Cohen & Co.'s Randy Myeroff talk about the value provided and the risks that need to be considered when planning for M&A activity.