Subscribe to Smart Business Dealmakers
July 24, 2020
LFM Capital’s Stephen Cook: In Tough Times, Pass In The Corners
The LFM Capital co-founder discusses the outlook for buyers and sellers, and the importance of compromise in getting deals done....
By Adam Burroughs
July 24, 2020
Hightower Advisors’ Omar Qureshi On Preserving Wealth In Wake Of COVID-19
Hightower Advisors Managing Director Omar Qureshi discusses the challenges and opportunities created by the pandemic, and what business owners and investors should do sooner than later to preserve wealth....
By Adam Burroughs
July 2, 2020
Cyprium Partners’ Michael Conaton: Get Ready For EBITDAC
Cyprium Partners co-founder MIchael Conaton discusses where he thinks investors will look when they begin scrutinizing deals as the economy starts to recover and the rise of EBIDTA before COVID....
By Adam Burroughs and Mark Scott
June 26, 2020
CMU’s Lynn Banaszak: Priorities are shifting, but innovation interest remains strong
Despite the uncertainty, investors are still very interested in preserving their deal pipelines — continuing to build on the promise of the portfolio of ideas already in development, says Lynn Banaszak, executive director of the Digital Transformation and Innovation Center at Carnegie Mellon University....
By Jayne Gest
June 12, 2020
Howard & Howard’s Dan Cotter: Don’t Wait To Make A Business Interruption Claim
Many companies will be taking a harder look at their business interruption and disaster recovery insurance coverage in the wake of COVID-19, says Dan Cotter, an attorney with Howard & Howard....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
June 12, 2020
Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Need To Focus On Creativity, Mitigating Risk To Close Deals
The landscape for showcasing early-stage companies to potential buyers and investors has changed dramatically in the face of COVID-19, says David Weaver, chief investment officer at City Side Ventures....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
June 8, 2020
Wintrust’s Paul Carlisle: Investors Who Weather Pandemic Will Find Deal Opportunities On Other Side
Paul Carlisle discusses how investors view the current deal market and what business owners can do to prepare for the second half of the year....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
June 3, 2020
Proformex’s Lou Schneeberger: Focus On The Fundamentals Now, Make A Good Deal Later
Business owners who can keep their companies afloat during a global pandemic will be quite attractive to investors when the economy begins to grow again, says R. Louis Schneeberger, executive chairman at Proformex....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
May 21, 2020
Oswald’s Bob Klonk: Supply Chain Risk Will Be A Critical Negotiating Point For Post-Pandemic Dealmaking
Health experts have stressed repeatedly that a COVID-19 vaccine is most likely at least a year away, a reality that will be on the minds of dealmakers at every turn, says Oswald Cos. CEO Chairman and CEO Robert J. Klonk....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
May 20, 2020
Babst Calland’s Chris Farmakis: The deal picture should be clearer by summer
While deals are still getting done, many have been pushed backed. However, we likely won't know until summer whether those delayed transactions come back to life, says Babst Calland's Chris Farmakis....
By Dustin S. Klein and Jayne Gest
May 15, 2020
Ice Miller’s Michael Jordan and Rob Ouellette: M&A and business in a turbulent market
Are deals dead? Ice Miller Partner Rob Ouellette says “no,” but they have taken on a different look. Ouellette and Ice Miller Managing Partner Michael Jordan share their thoughts on M&A and other issues C-suite executives are dealing with during the COVID-19 crisis....
By Dustin S. Klein and Jayne Gest
May 13, 2020
Deal Pulse: April M&A Activity in Central Ohio
The state of Ohio was under a stay-at-home order for the entire month of April, with many businesses shut down. While middle market M&A activity has severely slowed in Central Ohio, notable deals included Break Trail Ventures, Nationwide Ventures and Midwest Equipment Sales....
By Michael Shaw
May 7, 2020
Tucker Ellis’s Brian M. O’Neill: The Future Of Dealmaking Post-Pandemic Will Need Time To Take Shape
As Ohio seeks to reopen its economy in the coming weeks, a significant number of businesses will face a daunting challenge to simply reopen their doors to customers, says Brian M. O’Neill, a partner at Tucker Ellis....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
April 23, 2020
Ancora’s David Sowerby Sees Opportunity For Buyers Coming Out Of COVID-19
Ancora's David Sowerby expects acquisitive companies to find targets at more attractive valuations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
April 23, 2020
Greg Achten: Strategic Tips On How To Manage Your Investments In The Wake Of Economic Crisis
Liquidity is often an elusive goal in the wake of an economic downturn. As business owners and investors try to collect themselves in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greg Achten has found that many of his clients at UBS are in decent shape....
By Dustin S. Klein & Mark Scott
April 17, 2020
Deal Pulse: March M&A Activity in Central Ohio
M&A activity in Central Ohio continues to move forward despite the impact of the coronavirus on the markets and Ohio’s mandated shutdown of non-essential businesses and “shelter-in-place” orders given in March....
By Michael Shaw
April 10, 2020
What Cleveland's Top Dealmakers Are Seeing
As the unprecedented shutdown of American business continues, Smart Business magazine sat down with three top local dealmakers to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their clients and their dealmaking activity. Dealmakers has some excerpts from the upcoming magazine article....
By Michael Marzec
April 1, 2020
Drive Capital’s Chris Olsen on how coronavirus impacts VC
Drive Capital partner Chris Olsen talks about the state of dealmaking, what portfolio companies should expect from their shareholders and his advice for investors....
By Adam Burroughs
March 27, 2020
Dealmaking In The Age of Coronavirus
Drew Caylor, managing director at WILsquare Capital, and Kevin Short, managing partner and CEO of Clayton Capital, share their insights on the state of dealmaking and what we might expect to see through the remainder of the year....
By Adam Burroughs
March 23, 2020
Deal Pulse: Central Ohio companies active in health care tech
Central Ohio companies were active last month in transactions involving health care tech. Copper Run Capital's Michael Shaw shares what deal activity he's seen throughout February 2020....
By Michael Shaw
March 20, 2020
Greenwich Capital Group’s Andrew Dickow Shares How Coronavirus Is Impacting His Approach To Dealmaking
Dealmaking won't be the path to economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, but it can certainly play a role in it, says Andrew Dickow....
By Mark Scott
March 19, 2020
Dealmakers Share Perspective On How Coronavirus Pandemic Is Impacting Their World
The coronavirus pandemic has brought our everyday routines to a grinding halt, including those in the business and dealmaking community. Read how those typically on the frontlines of deal activity are reacting to what’s happening....
By SBN Staff
March 19, 2020
Cyprium Partners’ John Sinnenberg: Noncontrol Capital Market Provides A Wide Range Of Dealmaking Options
Cyprium Partners’ John Sinnenberg works with business owners who need capital but don't want to give up control. It’s a unique market that leads to a variety of deal types....
By Mark Scott
March 6, 2020
PNC’s Gus Faucher doesn’t see a U.S. recession in the near future — even with global concerns
A recession isn’t on the horizon, thanks to factors like consumer spending, PNC Chief Economist Gus Faucher predicts. The U.S., though, may see slower growth in 2020. The X factor, however, could be an external shock like the coronavirus....
By Jayne Gest
March 4, 2020
Chemical Bank’s Jim Robinson: Family Offices On The Rise As Entrepreneurs Look To Deal
The dealmaking environment in Detroit is alive and well, says Chemical Bank’s Jim Robinson. Family offices are one trend driving increased M&A activity....
By Mark Scott
February 26, 2020
Deal Pulse: Investors Back Columbus Tech Firms
Recently, investors made significant investments into Columbus-based tech companies that are forward thinking and utilizing new technologies in the marketplace. Copper Run Capital's Michael Shaw shares what deal activity he's seen throughout January 2020....
By Michael Shaw
February 20, 2020
Signet’s Anthony Manna: U.S. Deal Activity Remains Steady As China Responds To Coronavirus
As the Chinese government continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus within its borders, the disease’s impact on the U.S. economy has been negligible....
By Mark Scott
February 14, 2020
Investing in Ohio’s medical marijuana industry
The cannabis space is an interesting investment opportunity that comes with a variety of risks, but as Ohio’s medical marijuana cultivators and dispensaries slowly gain ground, the nascent industry should pick up speed in 2020....
By Jayne Gest
February 4, 2020
Rich Lunak on the hot technology market in Pittsburgh
The market for technology companies and disruptive startups remains red hot in Pittsburgh. Innovation Works' Rich Lunak shares what he's seeing in terms of valuations and deal flow....
By Jayne Gest
January 16, 2020
LaSalle Network’s Tom Gimbel: Entrepreneur Still Searching For The Right Deal
The decision to make a deal is often a matter of perspective, says LaSalle Network’s Tom Gimbel....
By Mark Scott
January 10, 2020
The State of M&A In St. Louis
It's an active M&A environment across industries and the entire spectrum of companies — from large to middle market to small. And that’s not expected to change much this year, despite warnings of a possible economic downturn....
By Adam Burroughs
January 3, 2020
2020 shaping up to be a great deal year, with some caveats
Following 2019's strong dealmaking year, the expectation is an even stronger M&A market in 2020. However, as Griffin Financial Group’s John Lee notes, there may be uncertainties ahead that could prove disruptive....
By Adam Burroughs
January 2, 2020
Dealmaking predictions for 2020’s M&A activity in Central Ohio
Smart Business Dealmakers spoke with Ice Miller's Rob Ouellette, Dickinson Wright's Scot Crow and U.S. Bank's Steve Bennett about what they forecast for the 2020 dealmaking climate....
By Jayne Gest
January 2, 2020
A forecast of what to expect for 2020 Dealmaking in Pittsburgh
Smart Business Dealmakers spoke with Tecum Capital’s Stephen Gurgovits Jr., S&T Bank’s Brian Dobis and Innovation Works' Rich Lunak about what they anticipate for the 2020 dealmaking climate....
By Jayne Gest
January 2, 2020
2020 Forecast: What To Expect For The Year In Dealmaking In Detroit
We spoke with Greenwich Capital Group's Andrew Dickow, Michigan Capital Advisors’ Gerry Giudici and Renaissance Venture Capital Fund’s Christopher L. Rizik to get their thoughts on what to expect from a dealmaking perspective in 2020....
By Mark Scott
January 2, 2020
2020 Forecast: What To Expect For The Year In Dealmaking In Cleveland
We spoke with Copper Run Capital's Matt Roberts, ErieBank’s Wes Gillespie, Carleton McKenna’s Chris McKenna and Folio Photonics’ Steven Santamaria to get their thoughts on what to expect from a dealmaking perspective in 2020....
By Mark Scott
January 2, 2020
2020 Forecast: What To Expect For The Year In Dealmaking in Chicago
We spoke with LaSalle Network's Tom Gimbel, Sun Acquisitions’ Domenic Rinaldi and Cendrowski Corporate Advisors’ Harry Cendrowski to get their thoughts on what to expect from a dealmaking perspective in 2020....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Mark Scott
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Jayne Gest
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....
By Jayne Gest
