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December 13, 2024

Leveraging Social Media in Venture Capital

Carrie Colbert of Curate Capital, Aquila Mendez-Valdez of Haute in Texas and Darek Woodward of ROI Ventures talked with Smart Business’s Dustin Klein about how to craft a captivating online brand that attracts investors, builds a thriving community of future deal flow, and uses influencers to skyrocket the value of your investments. ...

By Adam Burroughs

December 13, 2024

Settling Into the New Deal Paradigm

Murphy Clark of Inspira Financial, Patty Comer of AccruePartners and Greg Fornelli of SRI and Stock Car Steel & Aluminum talk with First National Bank’s David Sedor about the drivers behind valuations, assessing and retaining talent during an acquisition, how interest rates are impacting M&A, and more....

By Adam Burroughs

December 13, 2024

The pivotal role played by representations and warranties insurance

MelCap Partners Vice President Domenick Cristino on the role Reps & Warranties insurance may have in M&A in the coming year and this month’s stand-out deal....

By Domenick Cristino

December 5, 2024

How NIL Is Reshaping The Business Of College Sports

Panelists Blake Baratz of IFA, Katie Harms of Space Options, Cale Johnston of Roy Inc. and Gabriel Szerda of AB CarVal discuss the business future of college sports with moderator Steve Kozachok of Taft, offering insights into the trends and complexities driving this dynamic market. ...

By Adam Burroughs

November 21, 2024

Colorado's Rise As A BioTech And HealthTech Powerhouse

Elyse Blazevich, Kimberly Muller, Afshin Safavi and Blake Unterreiner on the forces propelling Colorado to the forefront of the biotech, life sciences, and healthtech industries and what’s expected in the coming years....

By Dealmakers Staff

November 14, 2024

Sports, Business And The M&A Arena

Andrew Berlin of Shield.AI, Berlin Packaging, Chicago Cubs and South Bend Cubs; along with Rob Sine of Blueprint Sports, on how strategic opportunities in asset diversification and the current economic climate are reshaping the landscape for athletes, institutions and franchises. ...

By Dealmakers Staff

November 7, 2024

Redefining Value In M&A

Tiugo Technologies’ Mark Hatton on how the concept of value in M&A has changed in recent years....

By Adam Burroughs

November 7, 2024

M&A and Non-Competes: Now What?

Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld partners Matt Brinker and Alex Nassar break down the trends and offer advice on how M&A professionals can prepare and structure deals in the current environment. ...

By Adam Burroughs

October 31, 2024

The Rise Of Earn Outs

Gordon Rees LP’s Craig Heryford on how earn outs are being used in the market and why owners should use caution when negotiating them....

By Adam Burroughs

October 24, 2024

Settling Into the Current Deal Paradigm

Debbie Ricci of Guidehouse, Don Bassell formerly of ARKO Corp, Alex Shahidi of Riveron and Chris O’Geen of Wells Fargo, on a panel moderated by Riveron’s Robert Berdanier, explore today’s market conditions and what it all means for executives looking to get deals done. ...

By Adam Burroughs

October 17, 2024

Preparing For The Unexpected

Brady Ware & Company Advisory Group Practice Leader Jon DeMoss and Shareholder Eric Carter offer their take on the current market and how dealmakers can capitalize on opportunities despite the obstacles....

By Adam Burroughs

October 17, 2024

Doubling Down on Columbus

Dr. Linda Lehmkuhl of MedVet, Aaron Weir of CollisionRight, Kim Zavislak of KPMG, Katie Bishop of J.P. Morgan Private Bank and moderator Leslie Johnson of Ice Miller discuss the opportunities they see in Central Ohio and how they are attacking the challenges of expanding in a city on the rise....

By SBN Staff

October 10, 2024

State of M&A in the Middle Market

Bank of America’s Jim Dever and Fritz Franz, Archetype Solutions Chetan Bagga, PeopleShare’s Ryan Clark and SeventySix Capital’s Chad Stender share their experiences operating in this market and discuss what it takes to get M&A deals done in today’s environment. ...

By SBN Staff

September 19, 2024

Facing Financial Ups And Downs

Chartwell Financial Advisory’s Will Bloom on how financial conditions have affected M&A....

By Adam Burroughs

September 12, 2024

Cleveland Deal Activity: Upcoming Rate Cuts Could Spark Q4 M&A Activity

MelCap Partners’ Luke Hippler elaborates on potential interest rate cuts, and highlights notable recent transactions....

By Luke Hippler

August 8, 2024

Pittsburgh Deal Activity: Enhance business value before selling with a Tax Diagnostic Review

MelCap Partners' Tom Freeman explores tax diagnostic reviews and how they can provide significant value to sellers as they seek to exit their businesses. ...

By Tom Freeman

August 1, 2024

For PE, People Increasingly Make The Deal

BluWave's Sean Mooney on how PE's perception of people in a deal has changed over decades. ...

By Adam Burroughs

July 25, 2024

Columbus Deal Activity: The Unpredictable Yet Significant Variable Of Deal Fatigue

MelCap Partners' Mike Kostandaras talks about the phenomenon, highlights deal numbers for the market and spotlights notable Columbus deals. ...

By Mike Kostandaras

July 18, 2024

Longer Buy/Sell Timelines Are Introducing Novel Challenges

Lead Capital Partners’ Pryor Smartt on how higher interest rates have affected seller, buyer timelines....

By Adam Burroughs

June 20, 2024

Driving Growth: Northeast Ohio's Destination Potential

In this roundtable discussion led by First National Bank's Boyd Pethel, David Gilbert from the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, Greg Harris from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Brian Zimmerman from the Cleveland Metroparks highlight how their collaborative efforts drive economic growth and position the region as a must-visit destination....

By SBN Staff

June 14, 2024

How Capital Realities Are Shaping M&A Outlook

Bank of America's José Tavarez leads a conversation with Revel's Frank Reig, ChargeLab's Shaun Stewart and Bank of America's Shawn Hoyer on what dealmakers can expect for the remainder of 2024 and beyond....

By Adam Burroughs

May 22, 2024

Columbus Deal Activity: Navigating M&A turbulence amid economic and political uncertainty

MelCap Partners' Andrew J. Chalhoub talks about M&A trends, and highlights notable local deals, in this month's Columbus Deal Activity....

By Andrew J. Chalhoub

May 16, 2024

Essential Leadership Traits For Uncertain Times

Brightstar Capital Partners Tom Meredith on how today's market conditions impact business leaders....

By Adam Burroughs

May 16, 2024

How The Market Is Affecting Deal Processes, Outlook

Lance Bonner on how changes in the market are affecting the company's approach to M&A. ...

By Adam Burroughs

May 9, 2024

Economic Realities Change Buying Criteria, Seller Outlook

Louis Plung & Co. Partner Tony Montanaro on the conditions in today's market and how they're impacting both buyers and sellers. ...

By Adam Burroughs

May 9, 2024

Sellers Have Opportunities, If They Prepare

Bank of America's Brendan Hanley on what sellers can expect in today's M&A market....

By Adam Burroughs

May 2, 2024

Labor Trends And Their Impact On Business

Mac Tisdale, Ahmed El Nokali, Philip Tulkoff, Richard McGee, Jr. on how changes in the labor market are affecting business....

By Adam Burroughs

April 10, 2024

Pitsburgh Deal Activity: Increased scrutiny on forecasts in a volatile market

While the primary impetus for this change in buyer perspective stems largely from the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors like interest rate increases and complex geopolitical conditions, we expect that this aspect of buyer assessment will become a regular step in the deal process for the foreseeable future....

By Daniel Bowman

April 4, 2024

Cleveland Deal Activity: Resurfacing of financial sponsors as both buyers, sellers

Because of the record levels of uninvested capital from record levels of fundraising by private equity groups over the past three years, financial sponsors are expected to be more aggressive and active on the buy side in 2024. ...

By Anthony Melchiorre

March 27, 2024

Former FBI Agent On The Alarming Evolution Of Cyberthreats

Cyber Defense CEO Labs Robert Anderson, Jr. on the state of cyberthreats today and how they've evolved in recent years...

By Adam Burroughs

March 27, 2024

Columbus Deal Activity: Resurfacing of financial sponsors as both buyers, sellers

Because of the record levels of uninvested capital from record levels of fundraising by private equity groups over the past three years, financial sponsors are expected to be more aggressive and active on the buy side in 2024....

By Anthony Melchiorre

March 21, 2024

The Importance Of Driving Local Investment In St. Louis

BioSTL Founding President and CEO Donn Rubin, along with USAKO Group President and CEO Dr. Han Ko and Capacity Chief Strategy Officer Douglas Wilber shared their perspective on what it takes to build a company in the region. ...

By Adam Burroughs

March 7, 2024

It's Complicated: Earnouts And Their Impact On A Deal

The full Pittsburgh Smart Business Dealmakers Conference Kickoff panel offer their takes on the earnout's role in a deal — for better and worse. ...

By Adam Burroughs

March 7, 2024

AI Trends for the Progressive CEO: Navigating the Transformative Landscape

Chief Outsiders' Ed Valdez and Angus Robertson rank the eight most important factors in the AI scene to pay attention to right now....

By Ed Valdez and Angus Robertson

December 15, 2023

Cleveland Deal Activity: Cultural Fit Matters

One of the most critical aspects of a successful transaction is cultural fit. There are several reasons it matters. Here are a few that can determine success or failure....

By Al Melchiorre

November 17, 2023

The Fourth Quarter Comeback

Sports enthusiasts can attest that there are few scenarios more thrilling than a fourth quarter comeback. And no NFL quarterback has led more fourth quarter comebacks than future Hall of Famer Tom...

By David Shibley

November 16, 2023

The Impact of Human Capital on M&A Deals

Caliber Midstream Company's Joseph Mills and Cooper Machinery Services' John O'Brien on the power of people in dealmaking....

By Adam Burroughs

November 10, 2023

Deal Activity: The 4th Quarter Comeback

A brief look at history would indicate that total U.S. deal volume and Tom Brady have something in common: completing a 4th quarter comeback....

By David Shibley

November 10, 2023

Mayor, Business Leaders On The Evolution Of Downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis city and business leaders discuss downtown revitalization and the role that the business community leaders play in making a dynamic and vibrant downtown a reality....

By Adam Burroughs

August 18, 2023

An Uncertain Economy Brings The Focus Inward

The uncertainty of the current state of the economy has driven Jim Banovich, CEO of Marsh Electronics to invest into the company and start getting it in position for the next generation and the next...

By Adam Burroughs

July 28, 2023

Slowed inflation to temper rising cost of capital ... hopefully

Sharply increasing inflation rates over the past two and a half years in the U.S. are a result of several contributing factors, but none more than the relationship between the prices for goods and...

By Anthony Melchiorre

June 2, 2023

Estate Tax Planning Considerations for Contemplated M&A Transactions

The landscape of estate tax planning is set to undergo a significant change in the coming years, as the estate tax exemption is set to revert to pre-2018 levels at the end of 2025. This means that...

By Tom Freeman & Evan Lyons

May 26, 2023

Stifel Financial Corp.'s Greg Urban On The Mixed M&A Market and Its Culprits

Confidence in the macro environment is a significant driver of M&A activity in this uneven market, says Stifel Financial Corp Managing Director Greg Urban. "The availability of equity capital —...

By Adam Burroughs

May 5, 2023

Baltimore Business Leaders See An Economy of Both Ups And Downs

Mahogany Inc.'s Jeff Hargrave, Acme Paper & Supply Co.'s Andy Attman, MacKenzie, Commercial Real Estate Services' Owen Rouse, Jr., and FNB Corp.'s Mac Tisdale share anecdotes from their experiences on the front lines and observations of trends during this choppy economy....

By Adam Burroughs

April 26, 2023

Hall of Fame Roundtable Weighs In On Today's Deal Challenges

Valenti Capital's Sam Valenti III, along with MSX International's Fred Minturn, BELLE Michigan Impact Fund's Carolyn Cassin, and BDO Consulting Group's Robert Berdanier share their view on the current M&A climate. ...

By Adam Burroughs

April 26, 2023

Deal Pulse: It's the best of times and the worst of times

The domestic M&A market is in a state of great disparity. Valuations from buyers receded to pre-pandemic levels while sellers continue to expect the lofty valuations seen in the latter portion of 2020...

By Al Melchiorre

April 26, 2023

The 180° Turn of M&A Conditions

Gavin Slader, head of the investment bank for JMP, a Citizens company, offers his state of M&A — an overview of the conditions dealmakers are facing and predictions for how the 2023 deal year finishes up....

By Adam Burroughs

April 21, 2023

Finding Opportunity In Disruption

Defiant Capital Group Founder Jonathan Dane on launching the firm, his perspective on how the investor mindset has changed over the years since, and offers tips on post-business investment life....

By Adam Burroughs

March 17, 2023

Sellers Sharpen Their Pencils Looking For The Right Transaction In 2023

Brightstar Capital Partners Principal Jacob Herschend, along with Wallis Companies CEO Anson Scoville and CIBC Cleary Gull Director Brian Howley, kicked off the 2023 St. Louis Smart Business Conference talking about the climate for sell-side M&A transactions in 2023 and how it might impact deals...

By Adam Burroughs

March 3, 2023

Columbus Deal Pulse: Positive Trends During Turbulent Times

The Central Ohio M&A market realized a modest decline in deal volume of 20 percent during January 2023 compared to January 2022. Still, several noteworthy transactions occurred in Central Ohio during the month....

By Mike Kostandaras