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May 23, 2019
Citadel Center reportedly on the block
By Michael Marzec
New York-based Angelo Gordon & Co. and Houston-based Hines Interests reportedly have hired hired HFF to market the 37-story Loop office tower at 131 S Dearborn St.
Local Deals Chicago
May 23, 2019
Phil Alexander: Give Potential Investors A Reason To Believe
The founder of ConceptDrop and Nexus A.I. talks about the role personality can play in making better connections with potential investors.
May 23, 2019
Pittsburgh deal activity hit new high in 2018
The 340 publicly announced deals in 2018 upends the previous record of 308 back in 2007, which was the first year the Allegheny Conference began tracking the 10-county region’s economic data.
May 23, 2019
A good M&A strategy starts with a compelling story
M&A advisor Joseph Valentic explains why a good M&A strategy starts with a good story, but also needs a solid team and attention to detail.
May 22, 2019
NASCAR Buying ISC, Michigan International Speedway In $2B Deal
Acquisition will give the auto racing sanctioning and operating company control of more than a dozen raceways, including Michigan International Speedway.
May 22, 2019
Stonehenge's Peter Davies: How to buy in a peak market
The managing partner of Stonehenge Partners shares his approach to buying with multiples approaching a peak, and how buying strategies have changed in the current environment.
May 21, 2019
Diamond Kinetics swings for the fences with sensor technology
CEO C.J. Handron talks about how he brought Diamond Kinetics from the lab to the ball diamond with the help of Pittsburgh’s early-stage community.
May 21, 2019
Ancora’s Brian Hopkins: Relationships Fuel Dealmaking Activity
The Ancora managing director talks about the role relationship-building plays in his dealmaking activity and the value of maintaining discipline.
May 20, 2019
Nationwide, State Auto Labs Invest In Virtual Claims Firm
Snapsheet, a provider of cloud-based insurance claims services, has closed $29 million in Series E funding led by Seattle-based Tola Capital.
May 20, 2019
Clinc raises $52 million Series B round to scale AI platform
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Clinc, which is developing a conversational AI platform, has raised a $52 million Series B, with investments from Drive Capital, Insight Partners, DFJ Growth, Hyde Park Venture
May 20, 2019
RE2 Robotics gets $3M from Office of Naval Research
RE2 Robotics, a developer of humanlike robotic manipulator arms in Pittsburgh, has received $3 million in funding from the Office of Naval Research to develop a dexterous, underwater robotic hand with tactile feedback.
May 20, 2019
Huron-backed Pueblo Makes Fourth Add-On Acquisition
Huron Capital acquired Pueblo in December 2017 to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the commercial HVAC market in the southwestern U.S.
May 17, 2019
Green Growth Brands raises $45M, closes Nevada deal
In addition to raising the general operating funds, the company completed its $13.4 million acquisition of a Pahrump, Nev., cultivation facility, its second in the state.
May 17, 2019
Signal's Marc Kiven: An entrepreneur's approach to dealmaking
The founder of the groundbreaking digital marketing company talks about what he looks for in an investment opportunity and how he sets the stage for the company’s future.
May 17, 2019
Blue Olive’s Ed Weinfurtner takes hands-on approach to investing
Ed Weinfurtner is a dealmaker who likes to get his hands dirty. If the company is being marketed for sale or has a book that pitches the acquisition opportunity, he’s not interested. “I’m trying to find a diamond in the rough,” he says.
May 16, 2019
Ed Wethli: Kiva Han-Crazy Mocha deal took time to brew
A year into the Crazy Mocha acquisition, the benefits of the deal are finally falling into place for the coffee roaster that wanted a growing retail empire.
May 16, 2019
PlanetM Awards More Than $440K In Grants To Five Mobility Startups
PlanetM Mobility Grants also provide aid to mobility startups and corporations to test, validate and prove out new technologies on Michigan roadways
May 15, 2019
How to plan a successful recapitalization strategy
Recapitalization — the process of changing a company’s capital structure through the issuance of new debt or equity securities — is a popular way to fund acquisitions, growth strategies, partner
May 15, 2019
Ohio State builds momentum for innovation district development
For years, the future of The Ohio State University west campus has been up in the air. That’s changing with the first three buildings planned for an eventual innovation district.
May 14, 2019
Industrial Commercial Properties buys former Sears distribution center
Cleveland-based Industrial Commercial Properties LLC has acquired a 570,000-square-foot, former Sears distribution center on 42.8 acres, in the Columbus suburb of Groveport. This is ICP's fourth Sears property purchase since 2014.
May 14, 2019
Three Rivers Packaging purchased by The Cary Company
The McKees Rocks company, which initially focused on the sale of new and reconditioned steel drums, has evolved to become the area’s leading IBC re-bottler/reconditioner.
May 14, 2019
Pipeline Angels: Driving change in Detroit’s angel investor community
Kerry Ann Rockquemore and Pipeline Angels bring needed guidance to help young entrepreneurs shape their vision and target markets that offer a better chance for success.
May 14, 2019
M&A Outlook: Transactions Can Prepare You For Future Change
The speed of change is relentless, and M&A has proved to be an effective means to move quickly to gain competitive advantage or defend against future disrupters.
May 13, 2019
British retailer to buy Certified Oil convenience stores, gas stations
EG Group will acquire Certified Oil and its 69 convenience stores and gas stations. The transaction will be an important step in building out the U.K.-based company's U.S. strategy.
May 13, 2019
M&A Outlook: Steel Service Centers
Industry players are looking for acquisitive growth, targeting value-added processing as a way to enhance margin and better navigate demand volatility, investment bank Brown Gibbons Lang reports.
May 10, 2019
Wisr's Kate Volzer: Networking Makes Anything Possible For Your Startup
Kate Volzer, co-founder and CEO at Wisr, talks about her entrepreneurial journey that began as a student at the University of Chicago.
May 9, 2019
Compass Self Storage acquires 17th unit in Atlanta
Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired a self storage center in Buford, Georgia, which represents the 17th Compass Self Storage location in the Greater Atlanta area and its 89th location nationwide.
May 9, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photos
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel was the site of Northeast Ohio biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on May 2. Check out 100+ photos from the event.
May 9, 2019
Charles Huebner Digs Deep To Make Investments Deals Work For Clients
The founder of Pointe Capital Management talks about the forces that drove the launch of his investment management firm and the value of being a dealmaking sleuth.
May 8, 2019
Delta Energy’s Sheri Tackett: A tale of Two Sales
Sheri Tackett wasn’t prepared when she sold Delta Energy in 2012. When it came time to sell Delta Energy Services three years later, she didn’t make the same mistake twice.
May 8, 2019
GM In Talks To Sell Ohio Assembly Plant
Once closed, work could begin immediately to prepare the facility for production of electric vehicles developed by Cincinnati-based Workhorse Group.
May 7, 2019
GM Cruise Lands $1.15B In Funding From New, Existing Backers
The funding comes from a group comprised of institutional investors — including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. — and existing partners General Motors, SoftBank Vision Fund and Honda.
May 7, 2019
ASX Launches Seed Equity Round to Fund Air Travel Revolution
Proceeds will be used to help the aviation technology startup acquire key automotive EV technology, build a series of full-scale prototypes and initiate Federal Aviation Administration certification.
May 7, 2019
Yvonne Campos' Next Act Fund gives women seat at dealmaking table
Yvonne Campos is an accomplished businesswoman who built and sold a successful market research and strategy firm. In all her experiences, though, she was never asked to participate in a deal or invest
May 7, 2019
Federated Investors buying $14B in assets from PNC Financial Services
The proposed deal includes the reorganization of PNC’s family of liquidity, equity and fixed-income mutual funds into Federated funds; the acquisition of part of PNC’s separate account and separately managed account business; and the transition of a six-person international equity management team.
May 7, 2019
MCM's Mark Mansour: Stick To What You Know To Come Out Ahead
Mark Mansour was young, hungry and eager to establish his dealmaking credentials. Mal Mixon was an established entrepreneur who had already built a billion-dollar business at Invacare, but was always
May 6, 2019
Boston company acquires rights to Johnstown cannabis facility
Ohio Grown Therapies is building out its 32,000-square-foot cultivation and processing facility, which includes 15,000 square feet for two-tier cultivation and 7,500 square feet for processing.
May 3, 2019
Steven Santamaria: Getting To 'No' And Other Startup Secrets
The serial entrepreneur and CEO of Folio Photonics shares lessons learned from the business deals he’s made and explains why starting a business is a lot like going on vacation.
May 3, 2019
Cleveland Must Support Innovators To Drive Growth
If this region’s anchor institutions and large corporations are serious about economic development, they must partner with qualified entrepreneurs that can enable them to create, export and profit from locally developed innovation.
May 3, 2019
Mobility and technology are driving automotive M&A
EY's Brad Hehl assesses the dealmaking landscape in the automotive space and what lies ahead for M&A activity in 2019.
May 2, 2019
ANSYS acquires assets of Maryland software company DfR Solutions
ANSYS has acquired the assets of DfR Solutions, the Maryland developer of Sherlock, the industry’s only automated design reliability analysis software.
May 1, 2019
Competitor Calios buys D.P. Dough, but calzone chain brand remains
The owners of D.P. Dough, the nation’s largest calzone franchise and third largest college-focused restaurant chain, have agreed to sell the Columbus-headquartered company to Calios, a 13-unit competing calzone chain. Each Calios restaurant will convert to D.P. Dough, growing the brand from 26 restaurants to 43 by fall 2019.
May 1, 2019
Automated Packaging Systems bought for $510 million
The Streetsboro-based manufacturer of flexible bag packaging systems is being acquired by Sealed Air for $510 million on a cash and debt free basis.
May 1, 2019
Drive Capital closes $307M fund, while raising another
Drive Capital has closed its third flagship fund at $307 million and raised nearly $251 million for its first overdrive fund, according to SEC filings.
May 1, 2019
Denso leads $20M Series A funding round for micromobility startup
The world’s second-largest mobility supplier has taken a stake in Bond Mobility to help the world’s only speed eBike sharing company develop an urban transportation strategy.
May 1, 2019
Joe DeLoss nearly got burned before making Hot Chicken Takeover a success
From nearly missing payroll to expanding too quick, the founder survived missteps on the way to building one of the area's hottest fast-casual restaurant chains.
April 30, 2019
Life after selling your business will never be the same
Michael Krol, head of wealth advisory at Waldron Private Wealth, discusses post-sale changes that catch many business owners off guard.
April 30, 2019
TriMas buys Taplast, second Italian acquisition in 6 months
The move is the second Italian acquisition in the past six months for the Bloomfield Hills-based company as it seeks to accelerate the growth of its packaging platform.
April 30, 2019
In Raising Capital, Who Invests Is As Important As How Big The Check Is
The serial entrepreneur and CEO of SPR Therapeutics talks about her process for raising capital, as well as the role non-dilutive capital has played in her fundraising formula.
April 29, 2019
Three Michigan health systems combine to build, operate $48M laundry facility
Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are collaborating in a major economic investment in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood.
April 25, 2019
How Don Nystrom Builds Dynamic Aerospace Through Acquisitions
The CEO explains how he found a company that wasn’t even on the market — and turned it into a great acquisition.
April 25, 2019
JumpStart's Cathy Belk: Plan Your Exit Before You Start Your Business
You can’t start a business these days without planning your way out.For early-stage entrepreneurs, thinking about a potential exit from the business starts before the company is even launched.“Many of
April 24, 2019
Kraft Heinz reportedly seeking buyer for Ore-Ida
CNBC says that the food giant is looking to sell off its Ore-Ida brand as it works to pay down debt and restructure its business.
April 24, 2019
Ford invests $500M in EV Truck Startup Rivian
Ford Motor Co. has made a $500 million equity investment in Plymouth-based Rivian and plans to use the company’s platform to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio.
April 24, 2019
OTC's Philip Derrow: On ESOPs, culture and getting good advice
Ohio Transmission CEO Phil Derrow, talks about the challenges of ESOPs, openness during transactions and two important rules when making deals.
April 24, 2019
Maitri gets a partner, property in Innovative Industrial Properties deal
IIP agreed to provide the Southwestern PA medical marijuana company reimbursement of up to $10 million to complete tenant improvements for the building.
April 23, 2019
Transwestern Investment buys three industrial buildings in Columbus
Dallas-based Transwestern Investment Group has acquired a 1.5 million-square-foot industrial portfolio in Southeast Columbus.
April 23, 2019
Honeycomb Credit expands crowd financing model beyond Pittsburgh
How CEO George Cook is blending crowd funding and community banking to change the way small businesses get loans.
April 23, 2019
TalentLaunch's Aaron Grossman eyes $1B business via acquisitions
The CEO talks about the role process and discipline will play in reaching the ambitious goal he has set for his growing stable of staffing firms.
April 19, 2019
Foundation’s David Wood: Understanding Seller’s Needs Drives Better Deals
Foundation Investment Partners' David Wood talks about making smart acquisitions and the discerning approach he takes to dealmaking.
April 19, 2019
Chris Rizik: Honesty Is The Best Policy When Pitching VCs
Chris Rizik shares his insight on how to make a better pitch to investors, as well as the growth opportunities that exist in Detroit’s VC community.
April 18, 2019
Ancora's DiSanto will keep pushing for change at J. Alexander’s
Ancora will continue pushing for change at J. Alexander's after the restaurant chain rejected the investor's takeover bid.
April 18, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photo Gallery
The Westin Book Cadillac was the site of Detroit's biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on April 11. The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference featured panel discussions with some of Detroit's top dealmakers, as well as extensive networking opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers who make deals happen in metro Detroit.
April 18, 2019
How valuation plays a critical role in dealmaking
Valuation work is never a one-size-fits-all proposition. It can be both quite varied and necessary for different business procedures.
April 18, 2019
Female founders on rise, as women-focused angel group disbands
Although X-Squared Angels disbanded at the end of last year as membership fizzled, early-stage and startup female founders appear to be on the rise. We talk to Cindi Englefield and Mary McCarthy of the Women’s Small Business Accelerator.
April 17, 2019
Leon Rubinov on Incline Equity’s M&A strategy and value creation
Leon Rubinov doesn’t like to play favorites with Incline Equity Partners investments. “All our kids are cute,” the senior partner says. “We don’t love one any more than the other. They’re all special."
April 17, 2019
PPG completes Hemmelrath acquisition
PPG has completed its acquisition of German-based Hemmelrath, a manufacturer of coatings for automotive OEMs.
April 16, 2019
Capital-raising tips from a CEO who bagged $9 million in 90 days
XaTek CEO John Zak shares his approach to raising capital and the advantage of doing it all at once.
April 15, 2019
Green Growth Brands abandons hostile takeover bid
Green Growth Brands Inc. has ended its hostile takeover attempt of Aphria, with an agreement to accelerate the expiration of its offer on Aphria shares.
April 15, 2019
Aurora Plastics acquires Elastocon
Aurora Plastics has acquired compounder Elastocon TPE Technologies, expanding its product line and bringing broader TPE compounding capabilities to its portfolio.
April 15, 2019
Magic Plus acquires Michigan State Fairgrounds
Magic Johnson and Joel Ferguson's Magic Plus has closed its acquisition of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds property on Detroit's Woodward Avenue.
April 12, 2019
How to manage a portfolio after selling your business
Investing is a good way to stay in the game after you’ve sold your business. But the transition from business owner to ‘investor’ can be jarring if you don’t adjust your expectations.
April 12, 2019
NEO bioscience companies landed $294M in 2018
Dealmaking is hot in Northeast Ohio’s biomedical community, with 71 regional companies receiving $294 million in funding in 2018. BioEnterprise’s Aram Nerpouni explains how this dealmaking trend could become the “new normal.”
April 12, 2019
Nuspire to merge with Denver-based GBprotect
Nuspire is acquiring Denver’s GBprotect in a move intended to help both managed security services companies better respond to today’s evolving threat landscape.
April 12, 2019
Moreno all in on blockchain after selling 7 more dealerships
Bernie Moreno sold seven car dealership franchises last week, reinforcing his commitment to make Cleveland a central hub for blockchain technology.
April 11, 2019
Good Night Medical’s Alan Rudy beats the drum for integration
Before he closes any deal, Alan Rudy gets to work on his ‘integration checklist’ — a list of the hundreds of tasks his team will execute to ensure a smooth transition. Learn how the CEO puts integration front and center in every deal.
April 10, 2019
Astute lands investment from Boston PE firm
Astute Inc. has received an investment from the Boston’s Audax Private Equity. This will allow the builder of AI-driven customer engagement software to continue to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions.
April 10, 2019
Acquisition strategy: Have discipline, retain talent and avoid dishonest negotiators
Investor Lee Zapis shares tips for making better acquisitions, lessons learned from mistakes and the evolving role of culture in the dealmaking process.
April 9, 2019
Corporates join VCs to fill pipeline for Pittsburgh tech investment
Pittsburgh’s tech startups attract the lion’s share of funding and attention, says Innovation Works’ Gary Glausser. We spoke with him about trends in tech investing, including highlights from Investment in Pittsburgh’s technology sector report, and the upcoming the AI & Robotics Venture Fair.
April 9, 2019
PSI establishes Silicon Valley innovation hub with strategic investment
Proteam Solutions, an IT consulting and staffing firm, has invested in the San Francisco-based startup Akava. PSI will have access to Bay Area talent and resources through the software development studio.
April 5, 2019
Ray Dalton: Good opportunity doesn’t always mean good fit
Focus drives results and results attract buyers, says A. Ray Dalton. This week, Ray discusses his approach to identifying the right investment opportunity and the importance of finding ways for your team to win in the dealmaking process.
April 5, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz: Dealmaking is back in Detroit
The PE firm's co-founder explores the method that fuels his dealmaking productivity and the role Midwestern values play in the firm’s success.
April 5, 2019
Dan Gilbert's JACK Entertainment to sell Cincinnati casino, track
Hard Rock International will handle operations at both properties. VICI will own the land and will enter into triple-net leased fee agreement with Hard Rock International.
April 5, 2019
Rev1 Ventures hits $2B in economic impact in 6 years
In 2018 alone, Rev1 clients generated more than $123 million in revenue and attracted more than $157 million in capital to the region.
April 4, 2019
Kraft Heinz fund makes first investment
Evolv Ventures was part of a $25 million Series C round investment in GrubMarket, a farm-to-delivery food service.
April 3, 2019
MentorcliQ’s Phil George
CEO Phil George shares MentorcliQ’s growth story – which includes raising $5 million in capital — and offers his advice for other founders.
April 3, 2019
FNB’s Boyd Pethel: How to invest with a flat yield curve, low interest rates
The economy may be slowing, but there’s good news for investors who are worried about rising interest rates, says First National Bank’s Boyd Pethel.
April 2, 2019
Park Place now largest TPM in Europe with MCSA buy
Park Place Technologies has acquired MCSA Group Limited, a UK-based business-critical IT services and solutions provider, snagging all of MCSA's business to become the largest third-party maintenance provider in Europe.
April 2, 2019
Lear to buy Xevo in $320M deal
The $320 million deal will combine Seattle-based Xevo's e-commerce vehicle platform technology with Southfield-based Lear's expertise in electronic systems.
April 2, 2019
Norton Industries acquired by CertainTeed
This acquisition of the maker of wood ceiling and wall designs is intended to add to Malvern, Pa.-based CertainTeed's innovation capabilities and increase its presence in the high-growth architectural specialties ceilings market.
April 2, 2019
Preformed Line Products to acquire MICOS TELCOM
Preformed Line Products is set to acquire MICOS TELCOM s.r.o., as it positions itself to support emerging industry technologies like 5G, network densification, and metro fiber rings.
April 2, 2019
CertainTeed buys wood ceiling maker Norton Industries
This acquisition is intended to improve CertainTeed's presence in the high-growth architectural specialties ceilings market.
April 2, 2019
When selling a business, take talent development seriously
Sellers who pay lip service to talent development could be leaving millions of dollars on the table, says Solutions21’s Buddy Hobart. This week, Buddy explains why it’s past time for buyers and sellers to take talent development seriously.
April 1, 2019
Lincoln Electric buys Baker Industries
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. has acquired Baker Industries Inc., a privately held provider of custom tooling, parts and fixtures primarily serving automotive and aerospace markets.
April 1, 2019
Fifth Eye raises $11.5M Series A round
The Ann Arbor-based medical device software company will used the funds to secure FDA clearance of of its first product, support clinical studies and enable commercial launch of the product.
April 1, 2019
Kellogg to sell Keebler, Famous Amos brands for $1.3B
Kellogg Co. is selling selected cookies, fruit and fruit-flavored snacks, pie crusts, and ice cream cones businesses to the global confectionary company Ferrero Group and its related companies for $1.3 billion in cash as it continues to refocus its brand portfolio.
April 1, 2019
ProBilt Services of Ohio acquired by Fontaine Modification
Truck upfitter ProBilt Services of Ohio, along with its 30,000 sq. ft. facility located less than half a mile from the Kenworth assembly plant in Chillicothe, has been acquired by Fontaine Modification.
April 1, 2019
Timken acquires Diamond Chain Co.
The Timken Co. has acquired The Diamond Chain Co. from Amsted Industries. With the acquisition, Timken's power transmission portfolio now accounts for roughly one-third of its revenues.
April 1, 2019
Strength Capital sells ARCH Global to NYC PE firm
CEO Eli Crotzer and the rest of the ARCH senior management team will continue operating the manufacturer of precision cutting tools, precision machined industrial components and medical implants and instruments.
April 1, 2019
Park National Corp., CAB Financial Corp. merge
Park National Corp. and CAB Financial Corp. have completed their merger, which folds CAB’s banking subsidiary in as a community banking division of The Park National Bank.
April 1, 2019
MGM completes Northfield Park acquisition
Following the $275 million transaction, MGM Resorts has rebranded the property as MGM Northfield Park.
April 1, 2019
First impressions matter when studying acquisition opportunities
The key to a successful acquisition is a well-planned, successful transition, achieved by working with the key customers, employees and suppliers to ensure that sales and operations continue smoothly.
March 29, 2019
How to value organizations in the wake of technology disruption
A look at the challenge of finding skilled workers for today’s highly automated environment, what investors should look for when evaluating companies and how involved investors should be in new technologies.
March 29, 2019
Chip McClure finds deals in unloved world of Tier 2, Tier 3 suppliers
By founding Michigan Capital Advisors, he has created a private equity firm that addresses the lack of access to capital that prevents suppliers from keeping up with customer demand and diversifying beyond the auto sector.
March 29, 2019
Nordson's Anne Pombier: Creating value through acquisitions
Before joining Nordson, Anne Pombier led or participated in more than 100 transactions ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 billion in size. Now she helps identify and pursue M&A targets that can create value for Nordson on a global basis.
March 28, 2019
BrewDog USA’s crowdfunding model raises awareness along with money
Former CEO Tanisha Robinson explains how crowdfunding payed a key role in the beer maker's whirlwind growth in the U.S.
March 28, 2019
4 reasons you need an M&A lawyer
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, dealmaking involves sharing some of your company’s most confidential information with the other side. Ulmer & Berne’s Howard Groedel explains how experienced legal counsel can guide you through the M&A process.
March 28, 2019
EmployStream gets $3.5 Series A bump
EmployStream has closed a $3.5 million Series A funding round that it will use to expand its product development, marketing and sales efforts as it looks to increase its footprint in the staffing industry.
March 27, 2019
Quick Med Claims' Michael J. Lewis: A CEO's approach to M&A
In four years, the CEO of Quick Med Claims has gone through two sales and initiated five acquisitions. Now, he’s interested in passing along that knowledge.
March 26, 2019
Investors press change at Bed, Bath & Beyond
Bed, Bath and Beyond is fending off a group of activist investors, concluding Cleveland's Ancora Advisors, demanding significant changes, including replacing both its CEO and its entire board.
March 26, 2019
Crane's Screen Machine acquires Diamond Z
Partnering the two material processing companies will help Screen Machine address the growing need for mobile material processing machines across a variety of industries.
March 26, 2019
'Merger of equals' will create $1.3B banking institution
ChoiceOne Financial Services, the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, and County Bank, the parent company of Lakestone Bank & Trust, are merging to form the 12th-largest bank holding company in Michigan.
March 26, 2019
University Lending Group buys assets of Huron Valley Financial
University Bancorp Inc. subsidiary University Lending Group has acquired certain assets of Huron Valley Financial Inc., a privately held mortgage banking firm also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 22, 2019
M&A due dilligence: Understanding cost, risk and liability
There are no mergers of equals, says Howard & Howard’s Joseph DeVito, Esq. But effective due diligence can help your business get the best possible deal. Here’s what you need to know about cost, risk and liability when preparing for a merger.
March 22, 2019
BlueTree's big 2018: A unicorn, strong exits and new investors
It’s been an exciting and unprecedented year for Catherine Mott and BlueTree Capital, including her venture fund's first unicorn holding.
March 22, 2019
Driving foreign investment in Northeast Ohio: What’s next for EB-5?
The immigration/investment program that brought more than $250 million to Northeast Ohio to finance real estate projects faces an uncertain future,
March 21, 2019
BGL oversees Miller Environmental Group sale to PE firm
Brown Gibbons Lang & Co.'s Environmental & Industrial Services team served as the exclusive financial adviser in the sale of Miller Environmental Group Inc. to GenNx360 Capital Partners.
March 21, 2019
Huntington Tower is on the block
Akron’s tallest building is officially for sale. Huntington Tower, the home of Huntington Bank and 1,200 of its employees, has no asking price yet.
March 21, 2019
3-D startup Kaarta raises $6.5M
The developer of real-time mobile 3D reality capture raised the funds to accelerate the growth of its mobile mapping and localization technology.
March 21, 2019
In deal communications, play offense
The smoothest deals have one common denominator. They are driven by a thoughtful, reasoned approach to cohesive communication that will resonate with all those touched by the transaction.
March 21, 2019
2019 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
Recognizing the top deals and dealmakers in the Pittsburgh region.
March 20, 2019
Lubrizol expands natural, botanical offerings with acquisition of French supplier
The Lubrizol Corp. has acquired Laboratoire Phenobio, a French supplier of naturally-derived extracts and botanical active ingredients.
March 20, 2019
Horizon Global Corp. gets liquidity injection with $51M loan
Horizon Global Corp. has closed a new financing agreement to provide additional liquidity and has amended its existing term debt agreement to relax financial covenants.
March 20, 2019
Scotts Miracle-Gro dumps its stake in TruGreen for $234M
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has sold its 30 percent stake in TruGreen to the majority owner for approximately $234 million in a move to reduce debt and maximize shareholder value.
March 20, 2019
Budd Dairy Food Hall: Finding the next Cameron Mitchell
The new venture, backed by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, will help chefs grow their concepts and build their businesses.
March 19, 2019
Continental Services nabs Sterling Services for 5th acquisition in 18 months
Continental Services, Michigan’s largest food management company, has acquired Canton-based Sterling Services, creating Michigan’s largest founder-owned contract dining management company.
March 19, 2019
ACP-backed Pleatco buys APEL, Milton to expand air filtration services
Align Capital Partners portfolio company Pleatco Filtration has expanded into the industrial air filtration market with the acquisitions of APEL International and Milton Manufacturing.
March 19, 2019
MC Group continues aggressive growth strategy, acquires Coastal Signage + Wayfinding
MC Group has closed its second acquisition in just over year, announcing it has purchased Coastal Signage + Wayfinding, a full-service solutions provider based in Oceanside, California.
March 15, 2019
There is no ‘exit’ for restaurant investors
Investing in a restaurant sounds glamorous, doesn’t it? And that’s become truer as TV depicts chefs as rock stars. Veteran restauranteur Craig Barnum, who raised capital for his first restaurants more than 20 years ago, paints a different picture — one where there are no clear assets or exit timelines.
March 15, 2019
How to plan for a liquidity event
Whether you’re thinking about a liquidity event before you’ve launched your company, or the thought comes much later, there’s a lot to consider before you cash out.
March 15, 2019
Venture for America taps Cleveland for accelerator
Venture for America has selected Cleveland to host its national business accelerator targeting entrepreneurs that are recent college graduates, netting out competing proposals from Columbus and
March 15, 2019
Case licensee NervGen Pharma raises $7.5M in IPO
The Vancouver-based company, which has licensed regenerative medicine technology from Case Western Reserve University, said it plans to raise another $500,000 in a private placement.
March 14, 2019
Irwin Car’s Bill Baker: Find synergies in your acquisition strategy
After doing nearly 60 deals throughout his career, Bill Baker knows himself. He’s a niche strategist who looks to buy companies where one-and-one makes three.
March 14, 2019
TransDigm wraps up $4B Esterline deal
TransDigm Group Inc. has completed the acquisition of Esterline Technologies Corp., a specialized manufacturer serving the global aerospace and defense industries.
March 14, 2019
Incline Equity’s Continental Batteries gets a boost, buys Battery Sales & Service
Continental Batteries, a battery distributor and a portfolio company of Pittsburgh private equity firm Incline Equity Partners, is acquiring Battery Sales & Service in its sixth acquisition in just over seven months.
March 14, 2019
Ampco-Pittsburgh plans to sell ASW Steel
Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp. is set to sell its Canadian subsidiary, ASW Steel Inc. ASW, a specialty steel-making facility located in Welland, Ontario, has been classified as a discontinued operation
March 14, 2019
Is a dividend recap right for you?
Greenwich Capital Group's Andrew Dickow shares his thoughts on dividend recapitalization strategy and how to find the right path to meet your needs.
March 13, 2019
Highmark, Geisinger complete $100M clinical joint venture
Health care companies Highmark Inc. and Geisinger have completed their previously announced clinical joint venture, which will invest more than $100 million to expand health care services and improve access to healthcare in four north-central Pennsylvania counties.
March 13, 2019
PNC to sell part of its record-keeping business to Newport Group
The transaction will enable PNC to focus on providing fiduciary investment advice to retirement clients — one of its core businesses — while helping Newport expand through the complementary acquisition.
March 12, 2019
Huron-backed Ronnoco Coffee gulps down add-on
Huron Capital’s platform company Ronnoco Coffee has acquired Beverage Solutions Group, expanding its national footprint from 35 to 43 states and provides additional distributor relationships.The deal
March 12, 2019
RPM’s Jim Karman: Skip the drama and avoid turnarounds
Retired RPM International COO Jim Karman reflects on the fateful deal that convinced him to steer clear of turnaround acquisitions and shares lessons learned from his dealmaking career.
March 11, 2019
Aspire dealmakers conference coming to Detroit April 11
The Aspire middle-market dealmakers conference will be at the Westin Book Cadillac on April 11. This conference features an all-star lineup of entrepreneurs, investors and adviser.
March 11, 2019
NeuBase Therapeutics gets $9M in financing
NeuBase Therapeutics Inc., a Pittsburgh biotechnology company developing antisense therapies to address rare genetic diseases, has landed $9 million in financing ahead of the company’s proposed merger with Ohr Pharmaceutical Inc.
March 11, 2019
DLZ grows in Midwest with Johnson & Anderson acquisition
Architecture and engineering firm DLZ Corp. has acquired Johnson & Anderson Engineers, a civil engineering firm that works in the areas of municipal, water and wastewater engineering, survey and construction services.
March 11, 2019
Enesco completes acquisition of Things Remembered
Giftware seller and distributor Enesco LLC has completed its acquisition of Things Remembered Inc., preserving 176 stores and 1,400 jobs while expanding the company's offerings.
March 11, 2019
Army gives Carnegie Mellon $72M to fund AI defense research
Carnegie Mellon University, specifically its Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, is being awarded $72 million from the U.S. Army over five years for fundamental (publishable) artificial intelligence research.
March 11, 2019
Preformed Line Products buys Austrian SubCon Electrical Fittings
Preformed Line Products Co., a manufacturer of energy and communications infrastructure, has acquired SubCon Electrical Fittings GmbH, an Austrian manufacturer of substation connector systems and electrical accessory hardware.
March 8, 2019
UH Ventures seeks every opportunity for innovation
Through UH Ventures, University Hospitals Health System hopes it can become a powerful force to enable the next generation of health care.
March 8, 2019
L Brands pressed to spin off Victoria’s Secret
Activist investor Barington Capital is urging L Brands to spin off its struggling Victoria Secret brand, in part to protect its thriving Bath & Body Works brand, which Barington says should be taken
March 8, 2019
Atlas Oil founder Sam Simon: How to maximize your deals
The master dealmaker talks about his humble beginnings, his approach to investment opportunities and the importance of being a disciplined dealmaker.
March 7, 2019
vitalxchange's Charu Ramanathan: survival skills trump MBA thinking
The co-founder and CEO at vitalxchange talks about the value of following your instincts and the real skills entrepreneurs need to succeed.
March 7, 2019
IAM Robotics’ Joel Reed: Finding capital and talent in a competitive robotics industry
The robotics industry remains in flux, especially as methods for fulfilling consumer orders continue to evolve. But Pittsburgh — and companies like IAM Robotics — is at the center of it all.
March 6, 2019
Startup future is bright — and diverse
Tom Walker talks about the startup climate and how Rev1 is encouraging startup diversity.
March 6, 2019
McGowan Cos. acquires, rebrands Edgewater Holdings
The McGowan Cos. has purchased the assets of another insurance underwriter, Edgewater Holdings Ltd., in a move McGowan President and CEO Thomas B. McGowan IV said will further the company’s national growth strategy.
March 6, 2019
Gilbert part of Detroit's first angel investor group
Membership in Woodward Angels requires a minimum investment of $25,000 per calendar year in Detroit-area startups.
March 6, 2019
Cancer support organizations merge
Two cancer support organizations, Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit and The Lake House, are merging to continue, broaden and strengthen support for families facing cancer throughout metro Detroit.The Lake
March 5, 2019
WESCO closes Sylvania Lighting purchase
WESCO Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Wesco International, has acquired certain assets of Sylvania Lighting Solutions from OSRAM Sylvania, including its business operations in the United States and Canada.
March 5, 2019
Beachwood’s NeverBounce acquired by B2B intelligence platform DiscoverOrg
Beachwood, Ohio-based email verification company NeverBounce is being acquired by DiscoverOrg, a B2B marketing intelligence firm based in Vancouver. The deal will help DiscoverOrg enhance its existing sales and marketing services and solutions for B2B companies.
March 5, 2019
Are you a futurist?
Riverside Co-CEO Stewart Kohl explains why it’s imperative for CEOs to be futurists if they want to ensure the success of their businesses.
March 5, 2019
RHP pays $170M for 17 manufactured home sites
Farmington Hills-based RHP Properties, an owner and operator of manufactured home communities, has acquired 17 communities in five states.The $170 million acquisition includes 3,177 sites in five
March 5, 2019
Resilience Capital Partners sells Thermal Solutions Manufacturing
Private equity firm Resilience Capital Partners has sold Thermal Solutions Manufacturing, a provider of automotive heating and cooling products, to Altus Capital Partners Inc., an investment firm focused on the North American manufacturing sector.
March 5, 2019
MPE Partners acquires Syracuse Plastics of North Carolina
MPE Partners, a Cleveland-based private equity firm, has acquired Syracuse Plastics of North Carolina Inc. for its portfolio company, Plastic Components Inc.
March 4, 2019
Riverside Co. adds ADA Solutions to SureWerx safety portfolio
The Riverside Co. has acquired ADA Solutions, a developer and distributor of safety products and solutions for the visually impaired, as an add-on to its SureWerx portfolio company, a supplier of professional safety products, tools and equipment.
March 1, 2019
Forward-thinking investors are monetizing the movement of people, products
As self-driving cars become a force on American roadways, Blue Victor Capital's Sherwin Prior is already looking ahead at new ways to leverage autonomous vehicle technology.
March 1, 2019
Masco may shed cabinetry and window businesses
The units account for 20 percent of the company's sales and 10 percent of operating profit.
March 1, 2019
Michael Canty: How to navigate the tricky waters of turnaround investing
Turnaround maven Michael Canty offers his tips for investing in troubled companies and shares the strategy that got Alloy Bellows & Precision Welding back on its feet.
March 1, 2019
Diversified to buy 9 Chicago-area Buffalo Wild Wings
The units being acquired generated $32.7 million in revenue and $4.5 million of EBITDA in 2018,
March 1, 2019
Eaton to spin off lighting business
Move will create a separate public company with $1.7 billion in sales to commercial, industrial, residential and municipal markets.
February 28, 2019
Integrating acquisitions isn’t one size fits all for L.B. Foster
CEO Bob Bauer breaks down L.B. Foster's unique integration approach to three different acquisitions.
February 28, 2019
Adrich gets seed funding from Sony
Sony Innovation Fund invests in maker of labels that track consumer behavior.
February 27, 2019
Dan Manges: Root Insurance's journey to unicorn status
Dan Manges shares Root's high-speed capital raising journey and meteoric rise to unicorn status.
February 27, 2019
RDX acquires ClearDB in second February deal for cloud services firm
Managed database and cloud services provider RDX has acquired ClearDB as part of an aggressive strategic expansion of the RDX service portfolio.
February 27, 2019
Sarepta to buy Myonexus for $165M
Nationwide Children’s Hospital spinoff Myonexus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, is being bought by Sarepta Therapeutics for $165 million.
February 26, 2019
Campbell's selling Garden Fresh, but not to Aronson
Campbell Soup says it will sell the Ferndale-Based salsa maker to an affiliate of Fountain of Health USA, a maker of hummus, dips, salads and other products.
February 25, 2019
Maitri Medicinals raises nearly $7M from angel investors
The medical marijuana company reportedly will use the funds to establish additional dispensaries, an indoor growing facility and the relocate its headquarters.
February 25, 2019
Understand the risk profile of your target company
Oswald's Jeff Schwab explains how he helps clients identify and forecast risks in their deals — and why it’s worth the effort.
February 25, 2019
Lineage Logistics buying rival for a reported $1B+
The deal to buy Preferred Freezer Services unites two of the industry's largest companies.
February 20, 2019
M&A Outlook: Making moves in a seller's market
Western Reserve Partners' Dave Dunstan shares key takeaways from Citizens Commercial Banking's eighth-annual Middle Market M&A Outlook.
February 19, 2019
Report: Consolidated Precision Products on the block for $2B
Local Deals Cleveland
February 19, 2019
Compass Self Storage nabs another Florida location
The Alachua site is now the 18th Compass Self Storage location in Florida and the company's 87th location nationwide.
February 19, 2019
Seeking a buyer?
5 metrics that buyers will ask about, and the ways you can leverage them to create a more attractive acquisition target.
February 18, 2019
Riverside invests in 300-year-old rum producer
The PE firm has made a significant investment in E&A Scheer, the largest global blender and vendor of premium rum in bulk.
February 18, 2019
Market Garden's Sam McNulty
Sam McNulty talks about his approach to dealmaking, the value of strong partnerships and his keys to success.
February 15, 2019
How Lincoln Electric picks its deals
Last year, Lincoln earned a 20.7 percent return on invested capital – up 4.5 points from 2017. CFO Vince Petrella shares how the manufacturer approaches acquisitions to drive continued earnings growth.
February 14, 2019
Be decisive with your time, money and expertise
R. Louis Schneeberger and other top dealmakers share their advice for navigating negotiations to a successful outcome.
February 12, 2019
MediQuant agrees to buy HeF Solutions
Brecksville-based MediQuant, a provider of enterprise active archiving solutions to hospitals and health systems, is acquiring Illinois-based HeF Solutions. The deal follows by a day the announcement of MediQuant's acquisition of DataEmerge of Columbus.
February 11, 2019
MediQuant to acquire DataEmerge
MediQuant, a provider of archiving solutions to hospitals and health systems, is acquiring the data extraction company DataEmerge.“This merger is an opportunity for both MediQuant and DataEmerge to
February 8, 2019
Davey Tree buys Houston's Landscape Management Services
The Davey Tree Expert Co. is acquiring assets of LMS Inc. (Landscape Management Services), a Houston-based commercial landscape management company.“LMS brings a talented team of professionals, and we
February 7, 2019
TruWest Cos.: Innovators wanted
Matt Kennedy and Wendy Jarchow explain how TruWest Cos. and River SaaS Capital identify promising investment opportunities and position them for growth. “We’re looking for industries that are ripe for innovation,” Jarchow says.
February 6, 2019
The rise of corporate venture funding
Pittsburgh’s old industrial companies are paying attention to startups and Idea Foundry CEO Mike Matesic thinks the surge in corporate venture funding bodes well for local M&A activity. We spoke with Matesic about how corporations and startups are working together to grow Pittsburgh’s economy.
February 6, 2019
Compass Self Storage adds third location in greater Pittsburgh
Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired a new self-storage center at 5301 N. Pioneer Road in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh.
February 6, 2019
Things Remembered sells to Enesco, files bankruptcy
Things Remembered is selling most of its business to Enesco, an Illinois-based giftware, home décor and accessories distribution company. To facilitate the sale, the company filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11, seeking bankruptcy court approval for a severance and outplacement program to support impacted employees and incentives for store employees.
February 5, 2019
You can’t fake passion
Passion is an authentic emotion. That’s why it’s the first trait Pete Martin looks for in Votem Corp. employees. Martin talks about building on market opportunities, the role of resilience and going all in on your vision.
February 4, 2019
No business is perfect
Every business has problems, and it is well-nigh impossible to keep them secret. Wise sellers frame how the problems will be disclosed. Managing this disclosure maintains credibility, while not making the problems seem bigger than they really are.
January 31, 2019
Riverside adds Australian firm to Hiway platform
The Riverside Company bought WA Profiling and Stabilising, a Perth, Australia-based provider of road stabilization and profiling services. The company will be iadded to Riverside’s Hiway Group,
January 30, 2019
Sweat the details
Howard L. Lewis isn’t usually a micromanager. But that changed when he prepared to sell his business.“You can’t be a bystander or a passive viewer of this transaction,” says Lewis, founder and
January 30, 2019
Embrace fear and uncertainty
If there’s not something wrong with the business you’re investing in, you’re probably paying too much, says Umberto P. Fedeli.“You take a great company, great quality and great growth, but the value
January 28, 2019
Weiss family selling American Greetings HQ
The Weiss family reportedly has put American Greetings Corp.’s global corporate headquarters in Westlake’s Crocker Park on the market, roughly a year after selling a majority stake in their family business to PE.
January 24, 2019
Alan Homewood: Saying no was more important than saying yes
Founder Alan Homewood discusses the growth and sale of 2Checkout. "I made pretty much every mistake it’s possible to make. If there’s a checklist of the mistakes an entrepreneur can make, I made about all of them.”
January 24, 2019
Adam Kaufman
Last year, Adam Kaufman studied an estimated 500 early-stage companies to assess their long-term viability. Helping startups refine their message and pursue their goals brings the entrepreneur great
January 24, 2019
Elements of an effective M&A strategy
John Ensign doesn’t have much downtime. But that comes with the job at MRI Software.Since he joined the real estate software solutions provider in 2010, MRI has made more than 20 acquisitions,
January 24, 2019
Don’t back down
When Jayne Juvan attended her first board meeting as an M&A lawyer, she was the only woman in the room. Despite the challenging gender dynamics, she stayed the course and pursued her passion for dealmaking. In her insider column, Jayne offers strategies to help break down barriers.
January 24, 2019
FirstEnergy Solutions gets new lease on life
FirstEnergy Solutions has staved off oblivion for now with a restructuring deal that will allow it to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
January 22, 2019
Lazear Capital’s Ted Lape on transparency, creativity and the rise of ESOPs
Ted Lape talks about transparency in dealmaking, when ESOPs make sense and his most memorable deals.
January 17, 2019
Provariant’s Murad Beg
Provariant's Murad Beg talks about how he stays objective to make the right deals for his clients.
January 17, 2019
JumpStart’s Jerry Frantz
JumpStart’s Jerry Frantz knows he’s in a risky business. “Any way you cut it, deploying capital into young companies is an inherently risky proposition,” he says. Frantz talks about the role of early-stage capital in economic health and managing risk as a startup investor.
January 15, 2019
Business Pulse – January 2019
Add-on acquisitions continue to increase as an overall percentage of M&A buyouts. Strategic buyers remain active and able to pursue add-on acquisitions. Private equity is also making more add-on acquisitions.
January 10, 2019
CVS buys Ritzman Pharmacies, closes all but three sites
Ritzman Pharmacies is selling all of its 20 Northeast Ohio retail pharmacies to CVS Pharmacy, which will close all but three of the stores.
January 10, 2019
MRI Software acquires background screening business
MRI Software LLC has acquired Minnesota-based Rental History Reports and Trusted Employees, a provider of cloud-based applicant screening platforms.
January 9, 2019
Flashstarts' Charles Stack
Entrepreneur and early-stage investor Charles Stack talks with Smart Business Dealmakers about the role of confidence in dealmaking and how changemakers can use it to spark investment in Cleveland.
January 9, 2019
August Carlino on negotiating, risk and preserving a legacy
August Carlino talks about what gets his blood pumping, the Rivers of Steel's acquisition of RiverQuest and his advice for other dealmakers.
January 8, 2019
Do you need reps and warranties insurance?
A way to reduce or eliminate deal escrow -- and keep more of the purchase price -- is representation and warranty insurance. BakerHostetler Partner Pete Van Euwen takes a look at the topic in this Insider column.
January 8, 2019
Riverside-backed HSI adds EMS Safety Services
Health and Safety Institute, backed by Riverside Co., has acquired EMS Safety Services Inc, a California-based provider of first aid and CPR training solutions.
January 3, 2019
StartInCLE’s Ed Buchholz
Ed Buchholz about some of the challenges faced by Cleveland’s startup community and how the region can attract and empower quality startups.
December 28, 2018
2019: Feeling the pressure
Private equity firms and public companies have a stash of cash – and it’s time to do something with it. In our Dealmakers Look Ahead, we talk with local dealmaking experts about what to expect in 2019.
December 28, 2018
Next Sparc’s Len Pagon Jr.
Len Pagon talks about his approach to making the right moves at the negotiating table.
December 28, 2018
Congratulations!
You’ve gone where few have gone before you and reached that pot of gold at the end of the entrepreneurial rainbow. What now?
December 20, 2018
ChromoCare’s Hugh Cathey learns from success — and failure
Master Dealmaker Hugh Cathey talks about what’s changed in M&A, one of his biggest deals and the importance of learning from career wins and losses.
December 19, 2018
Will past performance predict next M&A downturn?
Greif's Matthew Leahy sees a disconnect between public and private market valuations. Public markets value businesses based on forward earnings, whereas private transactions are generally trailing. "Public market investors could be too bearish, but at the same time, it creates an interesting nuance,” he says.
December 19, 2018
2018: Has the market peaked?
In our Dealmakers Year in Review, Mansour, Manna and other M&A experts weigh in on the past year in dealmaking — including lessons learned, trends to watch and the biggest under-the-radar deals of 2018.
December 19, 2018
FALCON's Rob Huxtable
FALCON Managing Partner Rob Huxtable talks about his tips for finding leaders who can thrive under pressure, rise to a challenge and help PE firms maximize their investments.
December 19, 2018
Best practices to follow and pitfalls to avoid with your next acquisition
So, you think you know what it takes to buy a business? With the range of available financing options and a red-hot M&A market, there’s a lot to consider. Finance-minded experts and entrepreneurs share their experiences at ASPIRE 2018.
December 19, 2018
Business Pulse – December 2018
MelCap Partners' Matt Roberts looks at next year: "As we look toward 2019 deal activity, we believe the prepared will win."
December 13, 2018
Ranpak sells for $950M; going public
The Concord Township-based packaging products company is being bought for $950 million by One Madison Corp., a special purpose acquisition company.
December 12, 2018
Legacy Capital’s David St. Pierre
As a 20-year veteran of real estate investing, David St. Pierre knows the best way to sell investors on a new opportunity: Don’t.
December 12, 2018
LeafFilter’s Matt Kaulig
LeafFilter founder Matt Kaulig explains how to show your value to potential investors and position your company for a sale.
December 12, 2018
Bring it home
When you have the right team in place to make a deal, everything else tends to work itself out.
December 7, 2018
Tecum Capital’s Stephen Gurgovits Jr.
Tecum Capital Managing Director Stephen Gurgovits Jr. talks about Tecum's evolution as an investment firm, it's appetite for risk and one of his most memorable deals.
December 7, 2018
Flashstarts launches early-stage blockchain fund
Charles Stack’s Flashstarts business accelerator is creating a $6 million, pre-seed investment fund for blockchain-based startups.
December 7, 2018
TravelCenters sells convenience stores
TravelCenters of America has completed the $330.8 million sale of its convenience store business.
December 7, 2018
Compass Self Storage adds 16th Atlanta center
The acquisition gives Compass Self Storage 16 locations in the greater Atlanta market, and 85 total storage centers nationwide.
December 6, 2018
Kelsheimer, Ferkovic join forces at Medic Management
A look at the approach Jerry Kelsheimer and Tom Ferkovic used to negotiate the purchase of Medic Management Group, and what’s next for the business.
December 6, 2018
North Coast Angel Fund’s Todd Federman
The angel investor talks about common mistakes entrepreneurs need to avoid to beat the odds and monetize their ideas.
November 30, 2018
Radhika Reddy
Radhika Reddy and her partners have worked on more than $2 billion of public-private finance transactions across the United States. We talk with her about the complexity of real estate investing.
November 30, 2018
TownHall’s Bobby George
Bobby George consults his list of dealmaking principles on a weekly basis – and uses them to inform his decisions. He talks with us about how he evaluates acquisitions to seize opportunity when it strikes.
November 30, 2018
Learn from your mistakes
Growing your business through acquisition is a highly complex process. One misstep can cost you everything. Our team recently managed through a significant oversight that almost forced us to shut down operations.
November 21, 2018
Strategic acquisitions can jumpstart your product development
President and CEO Dave Ciesinski talks about how Lancaster Colony uses M&A as a component of development and innovation.
November 20, 2018
A look at the present — and future — of Columbus’ economy
Columbus Partnership President and CEO Alex R. Fischer shares his insights into the next steps for Columbus’ economic development and economy.
November 20, 2018
Mac Biggar Jr.
Master dealmaker Mac Biggar talks about challenges and opportunities in today’s commercial real estate space.
November 20, 2018
TechGrit’s Anthony Margida
Anthony Margida talks about key differences between business accelerators in Ohio and Silicon Valley and his thoughts on speeding up the flow of funding for startups.
November 20, 2018
Liquidity events aren’t just about money
After Arnie Burchianti sold a majority stake in Celtic Healthcare to Graham, he used the capital to supercharge his business. It grew from $30 million to more than $200 million in five years.
November 20, 2018
Business Pulse – November 2018
Roughly 50 percent of the deals tracked in Northeast Ohio during October involved acquisitions or exits by private equity groups.
November 16, 2018
BGL’s Andrew Petryk
Investment banker Andrew Petryk shares his thoughts and observations about how best to prepare for the M&A process and maximize the result.
November 16, 2018
Lou Schneeberger's advice to first-time buyers
The master dealmaker talks about the best approach to beginning a deal negotiation and key items that experienced dealmakers know to check off their list when making a transaction.
November 16, 2018
Reading people is critical to acquisitions
Greg Skoda examines the risk of not fully exploring the wants and needs of the seller when pursuing an acquisition.
November 16, 2018
Negotiated deals
Resilience Capital Partners' Bassem Mansour offers five reasons why a negotiated deal can make sense for companies looking to sell themselves.
November 9, 2018
Choosing a strategic buyer pays off for Walsh Equipment family
It was bittersweet for Charles Walsh to no longer see his family’s name on their construction equipment dealership. But by all accounts, the sale to Stephenson Equipment Inc. in 2017 has been a success.
November 9, 2018
Explorys co-founder Charlie Lougheed
Charlie Lougheed looks at the importance of clarity, the value of embracing opportunity and why a great idea alone isn’t enough to capture the excitement of potential investors.
November 8, 2018
Blue Point Capital's Jim Marra
BluePoint's Jim Marra about the challenge of competing in today’s private equity market and the best strategy to minimize risk with your investments.
November 2, 2018
Mark A. Filippell
Mark Filippell talks about important points to consider before you put your company on the market and a pivotal moment for M&A advisory firm Western Reserve Partners.
November 2, 2018
LaunchHouse’s Todd Goldstein
LaunchHouse' s Todd Goldstein talks about the evolution of Cleveland’s entrepreneurial community and the value of looking at a deal from different points of view.
November 2, 2018
Carveout transactions
Scott Becker has been involved with his fair share of acquisitions. And while all come with a level of complexity, a carveout can be the most challenging.
October 26, 2018
A big payday for FacilitySource
CEO Bill Hayden was upfront with his FacilitySource team when it came time to discuss the firm's sale by PE firm Warburg Pincus. He asked them to judge him by his actions because he is confident there would be growth ahead.
October 26, 2018
Douglas J. Sibila
Peoples Services CEO Doug Sibila talks about his methodical approach to dealmaking and the role networking plays in his company’s M&A strategy.
October 26, 2018
Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs' Michael A. Ellis
Attorney Michael Ellis talks about when noncompete agreements come into play and how to avoid a prolonged legal confrontation.
October 26, 2018
Business Pulse – October 2018
In an optimistic economy that seems to churn out favorable economic indicators on a weekly basis, the continued decline in deal activity on the local and national level may seem startling.
October 25, 2018
A look into the wild world of raising capital
Three dealmakers with different experiences raising capital came together in a panel discussion at ASPIRE 2018 to discuss the ins and outs of funding.
October 19, 2018
Jon J. Pinney
KJK Managing Partner Jon Pinney talks about the need for speed in closing transactions, his passion for learning and the role Blockland can play in facilitating more business activity going forward.
October 19, 2018
Chas Withers: Build a strong, consistent narrative for your deal
The Dix & Eaton CEO talks about how to tell a consistent narrative that ties together everyone's interests and conveys the value being created.
October 19, 2018
Set yourself up to win
Being an entrepreneur is a ballsy endeavor. A deep belief in yourself and what you are doing is required for being successful.
October 12, 2018
Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing Institute’s Suzy Teele
Entrepreneur Suzy Teele has helped at least 50 companies grow into market leaders, either as a consultant, adviser or executive. In this Q&A, she talks about how entrepreneurs can build relationships to create partnerships or find investors to grow their companies.
October 12, 2018
Richard R. Hollington III
CapitalWorks CEO Dick Hollington talks about the role preparation plays in developing an effective acquisition strategy and what private equity firms do to make sure they stay on top of their game.
October 12, 2018
MRI's John Ensign on strategy, due diligence and 10,000 rats
John Ensign talks about his acquisition strategy and the importance of making in-person visits to potential acquisition targets.
October 12, 2018
Align Capital Partners’ Chris Jones and Steve Dyke
Jones and Dyke talk about their approach to helping companies maximize their growth potential and their view on the economy heading into 2019.
October 5, 2018
Baiju R. Shah
BioMotiv CEO Baiju Shah talks about his approach to building a team that can get deals done and the opportunity that health care innovation presents to other industries.
October 5, 2018
Thogus' Matt Hlavin: Why I take dealmaking slow and steady
The CEO talks about the drive he had to become more entrepreneurial and factors that have kept him from being more active on the deal scene.
October 5, 2018
The unwritten rules of M&A
Retired RPM President Jim Karman shares the “unwritten rules” that defined the acquisition negotiation and preparation strategy he used for his family-owned furniture manufacturer.
September 28, 2018
Tony Ciepiel
Step2Discovery CEO Tony Ciepiel talks about his strategic approach to dealmaking and the importance of reaching beyond M&A as a means of completing deals that can benefit your business.
September 28, 2018
Tom Chema: Getting Gateway done and the value of taking risks
Tom Chema played a lead role in overseeing the public/private partnership that brought downtown Cleveland a new ballpark for the Indians and an arena for the Cavaliers.
September 28, 2018
Austin Capital Partners' Darrell Austin
Darrell Austin talks about the effect that rising purchase prices have had on M&A players who used to be a lot busier.
September 27, 2018
Managing the six stages of the sale process
Ideally, there are six stages to selling a business. When a deal isn’t successful, one of those stages was likely derailed. Four experts take a look at those six stages, including their advice on best practices and avoiding pitfalls.
September 19, 2018
Paul Smucker Wagstaff
Paul Smucker Wagstaff shares his dealmaking strategy, the role that his team plays in M&A transactions and some key lessons he learned from his time at J.M. Smucker.
September 19, 2018
Steve McHale on flawed deals and knowing when to pivot
Steve McHale shares his thoughts on deals he has made and the approach that leaders take when things don’t go according to plan.
September 19, 2018
Business Pulse – September 2018
For the Northeast Ohio market, August was filled with deal activity by local private equity and corporate buyers.
September 14, 2018
MTD sells 20 percent stake to Black & Decker, leaves door open for more
Cleveland
September 14, 2018
Dan T. Moore III
Dan Moore reflects on his career in business, his skill as an innovator and how dealmaking has helped bring it all together.
September 14, 2018
Team NEO’s Bill Koehler
Bill Koehler talks about one of the most gratifying moments of his dealmaking career and the value that a formal M&A strategy can bring to your business.
September 14, 2018
EY’s Chris Smyth
We catch up with EY's Chris Smyth to talk about his principles of effective dealmaking.
September 7, 2018
Sam Petros
Real estate developer Sam Petros talks about his approach to making deals happen and a pivotal moment when he was 14 that shaped his career.
September 7, 2018
Cascade Partners’ Ken Marblestone
Ken Marblestone explains why he’s always concerned about something and why there are times when you should not take the advice of your financial adviser.
September 7, 2018
Don’t be caught unprepared
4 ways to improve the sale process and achieve the highest possible price in the transaction.
August 31, 2018
Jon W. Park
Westfield Bank's CEO talks about how to build an effective M&A strategy and common pain points that arise when looking to make a deal.
August 31, 2018
Signet's Tony Manna: Why I'm always ready for a deal
Tony Manna talks about his readiness to examine deals and some great advice he got in his youth from Worthington Industries founder John McConnell.
August 31, 2018
Beth Haas
Cyprium Partners' Beth Haas shares her thoughts on how to find the right vehicle to obtain the necessary capital for your business and how to work through any anxiety you may have over working with an outside firm.
August 28, 2018
The whys and hows of buying a business
When growing through acquisition, it’s imperative that the acquisition is the right company at the right price with the right integration strategy. That way you can make sure the company strengthens your existing business and accelerates your business goals.
August 24, 2018
Ron Weinberg
Ron Weinberg talks about the origins of today’s active private equity market and his hands-on approach to creating opportunities that lead to profitable deals.
August 24, 2018
Independence Excavating's Victor DiGeronimo Jr.
Vic DiGeronimo talks about taking risks and his key to finding happiness when making a deal.
August 24, 2018
Business Pulse – August 2018
July continued many of the M&A trends that we’ve seen over the first half of 2018.
August 17, 2018
Mitchell Schneider
Mitchell Schneider about the role his team has played in transforming Northeast Ohio’s retail culture, his own evolution as a dealmaker and a valuable piece of strategy he uses to close a deal.
August 17, 2018
McCarthy Lebit’s Kenneth B. Liffman
Ken Liffman about the difficulties that often arise when you’re looking to sell your business and three critical questions that can help inform your decision.
August 17, 2018
JPMorgan Chase’s Rudy Bentlage
Rudy Bentlage explains the value of transparency in M&A activity and talks about how to know when it’s the right to time to consider selling your business.
August 10, 2018
Metz Lewis’ Chris Brodman
Metz Lewis partner Chris Brodman talks about deal-killing issues and the principles of successful dealmakers.
August 10, 2018
SCA has its eye on $300M
Christopher Valerian talks about Sweeping Corp. of America's acquisition strategy and the key steps his team followed to execute on aggressive growth goals.
August 10, 2018
Michael Siegal: How I approach acquisition targets
The Olympic Steel CEO talks about being a chameleon, assessing culture and spending your time well.
August 10, 2018
Create a viable plan
Jeremy Eberlein, managing director of investment banking, offers four steps to creating a viable plan.
August 3, 2018
Fred Nance
The global managing partner at Squire Patton Boggs talks about the craft of dealmaking and shares the lessons he has learned to get things done under difficult circumstances.
August 3, 2018
Flashstarts’ Charles Stack
How poker shaped his approach to dealmaking, the problem with risk in Cleveland’s investor community and the one thing entrepreneurs get totally wrong when making a pitch to potential investors.
August 3, 2018
Evolution Capital Partners’ Jeffrey Kadlic
Jeffrey Kadlic about what could be done to open up private equity investment to more people, the common pain points he sees in the M&A process and one of his most memorable deals.
July 27, 2018
Risk International 'buys' a partner
Chairman Dave O’Brien takes us inside his approach to searching for investors and explains how he was able to execute the process seamlessly.
July 27, 2018
Stewart Kohl
The co-CEO of The Riverside Co. talks about how he got his start and mentors who guided him early in his career.
July 27, 2018
Broken deals can create real hardship
Think twice and understand all the ramifications before you commit to taking a seat at the negotiating table.
July 25, 2018
Two approaches to ownership change
Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, chairman of Hanna Holdings Inc., has experienced ownership transfer amongst his family, and Audrey Dunning, senior vice president at CGI, facilitated the sale of the company she led. They share their perspectives on the process.
July 19, 2018
Citymark Capital’s Daniel Walsh
Dan Walsh talks about his approach to crafting a deal, lessons learned about minimizing mistakes and what Cleveland needs to do to generate more liquidity.
July 19, 2018
Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV
Hoby Hanna talks about what drove two pivotal transactions for his real estate company, the value he places on market share and his perspective on turnarounds.
July 19, 2018
Calfee’s Brent Pietrafese
The dealmaking attorney talks about recent trends in dealmaking and how to avoid legal headaches when involved in M&A activity.
July 13, 2018
XaTek raises $9M in under 90 days
John Zak talks about his work, his team and his ambitious strategy to take this project across the finish line.
July 13, 2018
Ancora’s Fred DiSanto
Fred DiSanto talks about his approach to dealmaking, his willingness to take risk and his partnership with Carl Grassi.
July 13, 2018
Business Pulse – July 2018
Despite lower middle-market deal volume, which is primarily the result of a scarcity of quality assets, the current M&A market is expected to remain favorable to sellers.
July 6, 2018
Len Pagon Jr.
Len Pagon talks about how he recovered and got a deal done to sell Brulant to Rosetta and the many twists and turns that come with being a successful dealmaker.
July 6, 2018
PWC Group’s Ansir Junaid
Ansir Junaid talks about principles of dealmaking strategy and how two trips led to pivotal business deals that made his business what it is today.
July 6, 2018
Mazzella Cos.’ Tony Mazzella
Tony Mazzella talks about the fresh approach he brings to each new deal and the effort he undertook to bring a stronger dealmaking mindset to his family’s business.
June 28, 2018
Mezu: New venture, old friends
How Yuval Brisker leveraged his success and relationships at TOA Technologies to raise $10 million and get Mezu up and running.
June 28, 2018
First National Bank’s Boyd Pethel
Boyd Pethel talks about why companies seek outside capital, the tools banks provide to help in this process and what Cleveland needs to do to take the next step in its own evolution.
June 28, 2018
How to create value when you sell
Each owner typically sells their business only once. The right advisers manage transactions every day. Use them.
June 25, 2018
A look at the Pittsburgh environment for raising capital
Four of Pittsburgh’s prominent business leaders share their experiences on the front lines of M&A in an environment of rising valuations. The higher prices are being driven in part by private equity-backed portfolio companies that buy strategically and do add-ons to other deals, as well as family offices with money to spend and a will to do direct acquisitions.
June 22, 2018
On the green
Master dealmaker Monte Ahuja talks about his plans to remake his newly acquired golf properties and the role golf has played in his success as a dealmaker.
June 22, 2018
How captive insurance can add value to your deal
Kelly Price about the challenges that business owners face when it comes to negotiating a deal, how captive programs can fit into the mix and what can happen when you sell to a buyer that hasn’t done the proper due diligence.
June 22, 2018
Cyprium Partners’ John Sinnenberg
John Sinnenberg talks about his evolution as a dealmaker and the lessons he’s learned from deals good and bad.
June 15, 2018
Ranpak reportedly on the block
Bloomberg reports that Rhone Capital LLC is considering a sale of the Concord Township company, and it’s working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to find a buyer.
June 14, 2018
Michael E. Gibbons
Mike Gibbons talks about selling a business, his perspective on the growth of the international M&A market.
June 14, 2018
Transtar’s Neil Sethi
Transfer CEO Neil Sethi talks about what experience has taught him about the flow of deal activity and the important distinction between markets and micromarkets.
June 14, 2018
Business Pulse — June 2018
In 2018, a noticeable shift in corporate divestiture trends has taken place.
June 8, 2018
Behind the scenes of the Fairmount-Unimin merger
CEO Jennifer Deckard discusses the relationship of the two companies, the factors that finally enabled them to merge and the powerful role that external M&A advisers played.
June 8, 2018
Family Heritage Life Insurance’s Howard Lewis
Howard Lewis about his approach to selling his company, the critical importance of tax planning and the opportunity that exists after you sell your business.
June 8, 2018
IMCD’s John Mastrantoni
John Mastrantoni shares his advice on how to maximize results and minimize surprises by preparing — personally and financially — for the sale of your business.
June 1, 2018
Anthony Manna
Anthony Manna talks about his approach to dealmaking and the team he’s built to vet and often take the lead on potential opportunities.
June 1, 2018
Ganley Auto Group’s Ken Ganley
Ken Ganley talks about the value that experience can bring to dealmaking and his fondness for taking on challenges when making an acquisition.
June 1, 2018
5 rules for dealmaking
A few do’s and don’ts from a dealmaker's own experiences (and mistakes) over the years.
May 25, 2018
Victor DiGeronimo Jr.
Vic DiGeronimo talks about how he got his start in the family business and first began to develop the entrepreneurial and dealmaking skills.
May 25, 2018
Kichler Lighting’s Dave Pamer
Dave Pamer discusses how preparation, delegation and communication can facilitate a smooth transaction.
May 24, 2018
A dive into today’s aggressive deal market
Four of Pittsburgh’s prominent business leaders share their experiences on the front lines of M&A in an environment of rising valuations.
May 18, 2018
Stewart Kohl
The Riverside Co. co-CEO talks about how curiosity fuels his passion for dealmaking, how he judges the success of a transaction and the factors that determine the ideal amount of a capital to provide a young business.
May 18, 2018
Rakuten OverDrive’s Steve Potash
Steve Potash talks about the challenges he faced launching OverDrive in the pre-digital world of the 1980s and the pros and cons of debt vs. equity investors.
May 17, 2018
Target identification
In the follow-up to his popular first column on how culture shapes his M&A strategy, Alliance Solutions Group founder Aaron Grossman explains how he takes the guesswork out of acquisitions by painstakingly finding the right acquisitions prospects
May 11, 2018
J.W. Sean Dorsey
Master dealmaker Sean Dorsey discusses how the dealmaking business has shifted through the decades and the insights he’s learned along the way.
May 11, 2018
Tucker Ellis’ Jayne Juvan
M&A attorney Jayne E. Juvan talks about what’s driving the increased scrutiny on corporate transactions and the points companies should consider before entering into their next deal negotiation.
May 11, 2018
AdCap Management’s Joel Adelman
Joel Adelman talks about the keys to raising capital, taking risks and doing business in the disaster recovery space.
May 11, 2018
Business Pulse — May 2018
M&A activity for the month of April followed the downward trend that was expected to occur during 2018. Total deal volume decreased 13 percent as compared to April 2017, and decreased 9 percent from March 2018.
May 4, 2018
Stephen J. McHale
Steve McHale about the evolution of Explorys, his altruistic approach to dealmaking and what he’s working on now.
May 4, 2018
How M&A strengthens the entrepreneurial economy
JumpStart's Ray Leach is excited about the potential that exists in Cleveland’s entrepreneurial economy to make huge strides in the years ahead.
May 4, 2018
Attorney Margaret W. Wong
Margaret Wong started her firm in 1978 and it’s only since 2000 that she became more active in dealmaking. She talks about the important deal she made with her godchild and her approach to making acquisitions.
April 27, 2018
Forward progress: The State of Technology in Pittsburgh
From material science, life science and data centers to energy technology and research on artificial intelligence and social ventures, Pittsburgh is on the cutting edge of technology in many sectors.
April 27, 2018
Raising startup capital
There are a few things that any entrepreneur considering raising capital needs to think about.
April 27, 2018
RPM's Frank Sullivan
RPM CEO Frank Sullivan talks about his approach to making acquisitions and how he balances M&A with his leadership of the business.
April 27, 2018
Gregory J. Skoda
Master dealmaker Greg Skoda talks about the philosophy of dealmaking, lessons learned creating CBIZ and why it’s so important to listen.
April 27, 2018
Fifth Third Bank’s Joe DiRocco
Joe DiRocco talks about what you should know about your business before you pursue your next M&A transaction.
April 20, 2018
Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV
Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV talks about negotiating deals with a key competitor, the value of developing an M&A formula and sticking to it, and how he responds to market pressure to keep pursuing more acquisitions.
April 20, 2018
ShurTech Brands’ John Kahl
ShurTech Brands CEO John Kahl talks about the importance of listening and the effort it takes to zero in on the right company to acquire.
April 20, 2018
Developer Scott Wolstein
Former Developers Diversfied CEO Scott Wolstein talks about how to know when to walk away, how to minimize mistakes and why you need a strong team to be an effective dealmaker.
April 13, 2018
What’s your exit strategy?
The top seven questions you should ask yourself before making the decision.
April 13, 2018
Umberto P. Fedeli
Umberto Fedeli is a prolific investor who has bought stock in hundreds, if not thousands of businesses, banks and other organizations over the years. We talk with him about his approach to dealmaking and investing, his read on the M&A sector today and the value of being really good at something.