We work with owners across the United States; many of our mandates originate in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, and nearby markets.
Mergers & Acquisitions
The Midwest economy spans construction, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and services across major metros from Chicago and Milwaukee to Indianapolis, Detroit, and St. Louis. We run disciplined, confidential processes that attract strategic and private equity buyers across the Midwest, create competitive tension, and negotiate terms that protect value. From positioning and outreach through diligence and purchase agreement, we handle the heavy lifting so you stay focused on the business.
ESOP Advisory
Our ESOP team serves companies in every industry across the Midwest, including Chicagoland. We assess feasibility through multiple scenarios, structure and negotiate all transaction terms, advise on tax-efficient plans, arrange senior and mezzanine financing, and coordinate trustees, lenders, and legal advisors. Our experience spans manufacturing, distribution, business services, healthcare, technology, construction, consumer, and more. Post-close, we support boards with fairness opinions and repurchase-obligation analysis so the plan remains compliant and sustainable.
Capital Raise
We raise the capital you need, on terms that fit your plan. Our team evaluates debt and equity options side-by-side, models the impact on cash flow and ownership, and negotiates structures that support growth without compromising control. We run a competitive process among banks, credit funds, mezzanine lenders, family offices, and equity investors to expand your choices and improve pricing and covenants. Whether you are funding expansion, acquisitions, or liquidity, we design a capital stack tailored to your objectives.
Capital Solutions We Arrange
- • Minority or majority equity
- • Mezzanine / subordinated debt (with or without warrants)
- • Senior secured revolvers and term loans
- • Unitranche facilities
- • Structured preferred equity
Buy-Side
Identify the right targets. Structure the best deal. Maximize growth. We guide acquisitions from strategy through close, delivering research, sourcing, valuation, diligence, and negotiation so you can focus on the business. Our network opens doors to off-market opportunities, and senior bankers stay hands-on at every stage.
Support for Every Stage
- • Targeting and screening: market scans, fit analysis, proactive outreach
- • Diligence and valuation: financial review, red-flag detection, integration prep
- • Deal structuring: terms, timeline, and negotiation support
Performance-Based Fee Structure
- • Strategy Fee: one-time fee to build your acquisition plan and target list
- • Support Fee: monthly fee post-LOI for diligence and deal support
- • Success Fee: payable at closing only
Dual-Track Exit Advisory
A dual-track process runs an M&A sale and an ESOP in parallel, giving you real-time market data, leverage in negotiations, and flexibility to choose the path that best fits your goals. The approach can maximize value, preserve culture, and reduce risk by keeping multiple options open until the finish line.
Why Owners Choose Dual-Track
- • Comprehensive market evaluation and pricing tension
- • Better alignment with personal, tax, and legacy goals
- • Negotiation leverage and flexibility as conditions change
- • Risk mitigation if one path stalls
How Our Dual-Track Works
- 1. Initial assessment: objectives, readiness, and financial health
- 2. Dual execution: CIM, buyer outreach, and competitive auction; ESOP feasibility, valuation, structure, and financing
- 3. Side-by-side analysis: compare price, terms, taxes, and timing
- 4. Negotiation: use alternatives to improve offers on both tracks
- 5. Decision and transition: select the path and plan post-close
Business Valuation
Decision-grade valuation underpins deals, tax, reporting, and litigation. We deliver defensible opinions for ASC 805 purchase-price allocation, ASC 350 and 360 impairment testing, equity compensation under ASC 718 and IRC 409A, fairness and solvency opinions, shareholder matters, and more. Our models reflect Midwest market comps and the specific drivers of your company.
Strategic Advisory
If a sale is not on the horizon, we build value-creation roadmaps: operating improvements, capital-structure planning, add-on acquisition screens, and minority recapitalizations. The goal is clear: raise enterprise value and optionality so you can choose the right exit, on your timeline.
