Eaton Square

"Eaton Square has enabled us to win mandates where clients were looking for international reach." - Jim Afinowich, IBG Business Founder

In this video, Jim, our Principal from Arizona shares why they joined Eaton Square.

If you're an M&A Advisor, we are actively looking for:

- Firms in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Singapore
- Focused on M&A and capital raising services
- Established for more than five years
- 3 – 20 M&A practitioners
- Seeking national and international reach


Benefits of joining Eaton Square

- Connection into national and international mandates, clients, buyers and investors
- Global brand and marketing endorsement
- National and international conferences and professional connections
- Access to new and bigger mandates and opportunities

If interested, please send us an email at [email protected].

Jim Afinowich from IBG Arizona on Why They Joined Eaton Square Jim Afinowich, Partner at IBG Fox & Fin, on why they joined Eaton Square.“Joining Eaton Square has been important in enabling us to win mandates where nation...

Divorce is rarely a smooth process. Emotions run high, and untangling finances can feel like an insurmountable task. But what if there was a way to approach divorce with a more business-minded perspective, one that could lead to a more amicable resolution?

Enter mergers and acquisitions (M&A) – a concept more commonly associated with corporate transactions, but surprisingly applicable to the realm of family law.

M&A principles offer a framework for approaching these challenges constructively.

Here's how:

The Role of M&A in Family Law: How Business Transactions Can Facilitate Amicable Resolutions | Eaton Square Divorce is rarely a smooth process. Emotions run high, and untangling finances can feel like an…

Over the last 25 years we have had many conversations with business owners, as well as investors and buyers. Two things stand out clearly from those discussions:

1) Most business owners are not well prepared to consider succession issues,
2) There is frequently a great disparity in perceived value between owners and buyers.

Peter Hall, our Principal from Sydney, shares why there's a need for business owners to prepare for an exit plan.

Read the full story below.

Why an Exit Plan Can Help Achieve a Better Sale Outcome | Eaton Square Research suggests that only about 20% of business owners have a formal exit plan in place, leading to various challenges the sale arrives.

For family-owned businesses, decisions about whether to sell or continue the legacy are often deeply personal and complicated.

On the one hand, maintaining a family business can be a source of pride and continuity. However, there are instances where selling the company becomes not only a viable option but also a strategic move for the family’s long-term success.

Here are 3 compelling reasons why a family should consider selling their company:

Deciding the Future of Family-Owned Businesses | Eaton Square For family-owned businesses, decisions about whether to sell or continue the legacy are often deeply personal and complicated.

After a slow start, deal activity is surging back.

Reduced credit spreads and increased flexibility in deal structures are reshaping opportunities for family-owned businesses and investors alike.

As the market landscape evolves, understanding these driving forces becomes crucial for informed decision-making. Read Stefan Shaffer's full report below.

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Three Drivers Behind the Surge in M&A Activity | Eaton Square Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for March 2024. After a slow start,…

With credit spreads lowered for private market issuers across various segments, optimism is on the rise fueled by robust economic data and a decline in new transaction activity.

As economic conditions continue to improve, lenders are transitioning to a more bullish stance, creating a favorable environment for issuers of all kinds.

Read the full report below.

A Private Market Evolving for the Better | Eaton Square Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for February 2024. With credit spreads lowered…

The lines between venture capital and private equity have always been more fluid than rigid.

Traditionally, these two investor categories pursued distinct opportunities, with PE funds prioritizing historical profitability and VC funds focusing on the potential for future value.

However, recent years have witnessed a fascinating evolution with the emergence of a new player – the Growth Capital investor.

Let’s explore how Growth Capital could be the catalyst for your next phase of expansion and provide you a path to exit. Read the full article below.

If you have questions and would like to discuss, please reach out to Neil Bourne.



https://eatonsq.com/blog/bridging-the-gap-the-rise-of-growth-capital-in-todays-investment-landscape/

The lines between venture capital and private equity have always been more fluid than rigid.

Traditionally, these two investor categories pursued distinct opportunities, with PE funds prioritizing historical profitability and VC funds focusing on the potential for future value.

However, recent years have witnessed a fascinating evolution with the emergence of a new player – the Growth Capital investor.

Let’s explore how Growth Capital could be the catalyst for your next phase of expansion and provide you a path to exit. Read the full article below.

If you have questions and would like to discuss, please reach out to Neil Bourne.

Bridging the Gap: The Rise of Growth Capital in Today's Investment Landscape | Eaton Square Recent years have witnessed a fascinating evolution with the emergence of a new player – the Growth Capital investor.

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for January 2024.

In a positive turn of events for January, we are reducing the credit spread indications across the middle market credit spectrum by approximately 50 basis points.

It’s hard to pinpoint what is driving the new sense of optimism and enthusiasm, but it is readily apparent that, after twelve months of repeated interest rate increases, the threat of recession, marked declines in M&A and refinancing activity, and an ever increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical landscape, almost all investing constituencies in the private capital markets are ready get to back to deal-making.

Read the full report below:

eatonsq.com

Introducing our ESOP Advisory for Middle Market Businesses

Our partners in Chicago, Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc., is a leading ESOP advisory firm.

An ESOP is a qualified employee benefit plan that offers business owners a solution to their ownership transition and liquidity needs. Prairie has guided hundreds of companies through the ESOP evaluation and transaction process.

What Makes A Good ESOP?

- $3+ million in EBITDA

- 25+ employees

- Ownership is, or should be, considering transition

- Profitable and growing

- Strong management team

- Solid operating model

- Desire for independence

- Looking for tax favored exit

- Debt capacity

If you're interested to learn more about our ESOP advisory service, please contact us at [email protected].

Or download the brochure here:https://eatonsq.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Prairie-ESOP-Advisory-Brochure_2023.pdf

We are delighted to share that John Zayac, our Principal from Colorado, received the Top M&A Source Award for 2023.

John R. Zayac has received the prestigious Darrell Fouts Award for “visionary leadership and contributions” in the M&A profession.

"Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition, and here's to the continued impact of your leadership," Reece Adnams, CEO

Eaton Square’s Principal John Zayac Receives Top M&A Source Award | Eaton Square John Zayac Receives Prestigious Darrel Fouts Award We are delighted to share that John Zayac, our…

We would like to congratulate Australian Soil and Concrete Testing (ASCT) on its recent partnership with the Phenna Group!

ASCT was advised by Roger Collins-Woolcock, Principal (Melbourne) and Mark Goodwin, Managing Principal (Perth).

ASCT was formed in 2014 and is a NATA accredited geotechnical testing company that offers soil testing, concrete testing, and other related services to the Australian construction and infrastructure market.

Patrick Paynter, ASCT Director commented,

“The ASCT team and I are genuinely excited to be joining Phenna Group. This was clearly a strategically important decision for the business and from our first dealings with the Phenna Group team, it became obvious that their culture and differentiated business model would provide a great home for ASCT.

Eaton Square worked closely with us throughout the transaction, providing invaluable assistance in structuring a deal that met the short and long-term objectives of our shareholder group.”

Learn more about this deal below.

Eaton Square Advises Australian Soil And Concrete Testing (ASCT) On Its Partnership With Phenna Group | Eaton Square Eaton Square would like to congratulate ASCT on its recent partnership with the Phenna Group. ASCT…

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for Oct 2023.

Private market deal flow is surprisingly light this October. As a general rule, new deal activity begins to build dramatically in the first few weeks after Labor Day, but that is definitely not the case in 2023.

What is driving the current liquidity conditions?

Read the full report below.

https://eatonsq.com/blog/private-market-deal-flow-lighter-in-october-2023/

Private Market Debt Deal Flow Lighter in October 2023 – Eaton Square Posted on Nov 6, 2023 by Reece Adnams in Private Debt Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for Oct 2023. Private market deal flow is surprisingly light this October. As a general rule, new deal activity begins to build dramatically in the first few weeks after Labor Day, but th...

We would like to congratulate Finch Australia on its recent sale to Caravan And Camping Aus (C&C).

Bringing together the C&C and Finch brands will further strengthen the position of C&C to be the #1 supplier to the RV industry. The Finch brand will continue to operate under the combined C&C group, under the direction of Roshan Chelvaratnam and C&C General Manager Chadie Helou. Current Finch Co-Founders Olaf Bach and Petra Turville will also remain with the business to continue to support the direction, transition and integration of the combined group.

Learn more about the acquisition below.

eatonsq.com

We would like to congratulate Gary Partridge and Lexington Corporate Finance, our partner firm in Wales, UK for their exceptional achievements at the Insider’s Wales Dealmakers Awards.

Lexington Corporate Finance has won the following awards:

- Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year
- Deal of the Year
- Private Equity Deal of the Year.

This recognition reflects Lexington's unwavering dedication to excellence and their pivotal role in advising the Idwal Marine Services Management Team on a substantial investment facilitated by Lloyds Development Capital.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Lexington Corporate Finance for this well-deserved recognition. We eagerly anticipate continuing our successful partnership and achieving even greater milestones together in the years to come.



Meet the team here: https://eatonsq.com/blog/eaton-square-congratulates-lexington-corporate-finance-winner-at-the-wales-dealmakers-awards-2023/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=lexington_award

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for Sept 2023.

As the calendar inches closer to the fourth quarter, the private market experiences a familiar surge in deal activity.

This year in particular, they anticipate a literal deluge of new deal flow—all with identical timing—closing by year-end. In this article, we'll delve into the dynamics at play in this year's year-end rush. The private market is poised for a busy and transformative period. Those who act early may find stability and favorable conditions.

Read the full report below.
https://eatonsq.com/blog/private-market-a-closer-look-at-the-q4-2023-rush?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=spp_sept2023

Private Market: A Closer Look at the Q4 2023 Rush | Eaton Square Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for Sept 2023. As the calendar inches…

How can an earnout maximize your deal's potential?

An earnout, a potent tool in negotiating a business’s purchase price, serves as a bridge between the buyer’s willingness to pay and the seller’s price expectations.

One of the common obstacles in structuring a business sale arises from differing perceptions of value. Sellers often envision the highest profit potential, whereas buyers tend to focus on risks and past earnings. Sellers emphasize recent company performance, while buyers consider the average performance over previous years. This disparity can hinder the buyer’s comfort and protection while impeding the seller’s profit goals.

Learn the benefits of earnouts and how it can maximize the deal's potential below.

Earnout: Bridging the Gap in Price Negotiation | Eaton Square An earnout, a potent tool in negotiating a business's purchase price, and bridges the gap between the buyer and seller's price expectations.

We'd like to welcome the Strand Hanson team to Eaton Square!

Founded in 1993, Strand Hanson is one of London’s foremost, long standing independent advisory boutiques, and is a leading adviser to companies in both developed and emerging markets.

"Partnering with Eaton Square aligns with our aim of delivering a comprehensive suite of services to our clients globally," said Simon Raggett, Chief Executive of Strand Hanson. “We are pleased to join a network of firms that share our commitment to excellence and client success.

Reece Adnams, CEO of Eaton Square, echoed this sentiment. “We are excited to have Strand Hanson join us in London. Strand Hanson has deep sector expertise, and is a market leader across natural resources in the UK market and will provide many opportunities for our North American and Asian clients.”

Learn more about the London team here:
https://eatonsq.com/blog/strand-hanson-partners-with-eaton-square-in-the-uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=strand_joins_eaton_square

Strand Hanson partners with Eaton Square in the UK | Eaton Square Eaton Square is pleased to announce the expansion of its network, with Strand Hanson, head-quartered in London, joining as an affiliate firm.

Recognizing the shared traits among different buyer categories can empower sellers to create balance in any scale of business sale.

In the middle-market, the value of the deal and the path to a successful closing are significantly influenced by a factor that many sellers tend to underestimate: the specific type of buyer evaluating their company.

Here's why understanding buyers can empower sellers in a sale: https://eatonsq.com/blog/identifying-3-types-business-buyers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=business_buyers

Identifying the 3 Types of Business Buyers When Selling Your Business | Eaton Square Recognizing the shared traits among different buyer categories can empower sellers to create balance in any…

"Increasingly, however, the prospect of a recession this year or in 2024 continues to fade."

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for July 2023. From a purely capital markets perspective, investors remain solidly in “risk off” mode. The non-bank direct lending market, however, is more difficult to gauge; abundant capital for deployment is available, but lenders continue to maintain a “wait and see” attitude, remaining selective, but willing to drop pricing and increase leverage metrics to garner the most competitive assets.

Read the full report below.

Investors Remain Solidly in “Risk off” Mode | Eaton Square From a purely capital markets perspective, investors remain solidly in “risk off” mode. Stefan Shaffer shares the latest report for July 2023.

The private credit markets are evolving from recession to resilience.

While credit committees across the lending spectrum remain solidly in “risk-off” mode, there are expanding “green-shoots” of optimism that macroeconomic conditions might be improving, and that the long anticipated late 2023 recession may not actually materialize.

Read the full report below.

From Recession to Resilience: Shifting Outlook of Private Capital Market | Eaton Square The private credit markets are evolving from recession to resilience. Stefan Shaffer shares the latest Private Capital Report for June 2023.

“I am delighted to welcome the Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. team to Eaton Square.

Prairie has invaluable client experience especially in the industrial, consumer, and food & beverage sectors which nicely complements our existing key areas of focus.

Prairie’s presence in the mid-west will also allow us to link clients from across the US and around the world to this significant commercial centre," - Reece Adnams, Eaton Square CEO

Welcome Timothy Witt, CFA, Dan DeLap, Anthony Dolan, Terrel (Terry) Bressler and John Waller to Eaton Square!

Prairie is a leading investment banking firm specializing in ownership transition strategies for middle market companies and provides M&A, ESOP, and valuation advisory services to clients nationwide. With over 750 closed transactions, Prairie brings sound advice and focused strategies to help their clients monetize or grow their businesses.

Learn more about our Chicago team here: https://eatonsq.com/blog/eaton-square-grows-in-chicago?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prairie_joins_eaton_square

Eaton Square Grows in Chicago | Eaton Square Eaton Square is pleased to announce our continued growth in the United States with the addition…

Having worked with a lot of propane and petroleum clients in the past, we’ve seen what drives value and price.

While these companies operate in a highly competitive and volatile market, where fluctuations in oil prices and demand for energy can significantly impact their profitability, there’s a proven way to protect your company against these external factors.

As mentioned in our previous post, the oil & gas sector remains a hot sector this year which means there are acquirers ready to invest in the right business.

To succeed in this industry, companies must prioritize value drivers that can help them remain competitive and profitable.

Here are the top ten value drivers for propane and petroleum companies.

If you have questions about an exit strategy or valuation for your company, our Oil & Gas team can help. Feel free to contact Gary Papay, our lead Principal in this sector.

Top 10 Value Drivers of Propane and Petroleum Companies | Eaton Square Companies must prioritize value drivers that can help them remain competitive. Here are ten value drivers for propane & petroleum companies.

The private credit markets are evolving and increasingly playing host to both larger issuers and global credit funds that have historically transacted in the 144A, public, and syndicated loan markets.

As this transition has unfolded, transaction activity has increased in the private credit markets, while deal flow in the syndicated and 144A markets has correspondingly declined.

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for May 2023. Read the full report below.

Liquidity Conditions in the Private Market Remain Challenging | Eaton Square Liquidity conditions in the private market is still exceedingly challenging. Stefan Shaffer reports the state of the Private Capital Market.

With a growing demand for energy sources in the United States, petroleum and propane distributors are becoming increasingly valuable, making them attractive targets for M&A activity.

What's driving M&A activity in the Oil & Gas space?

1) Growing demand for alternative fuels

2) Need for scale

3) PE firms looking for stable, cash-generating companies

What does this mean for the Oil & Gas industry? Learn more below.

If you'd like to contact our team, please reach out to Gary Papay, our lead Principal in this sector.

Oil & Gas Remains a Hot Sector in 2023 | Eaton Square M&A activity in the oil & gas industry has been on the rise in recent years, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.

We're offering a complimentary one-hour consultation with our M&A experts.

Despite uncertainties in the financial markets, buyers are still looking to make acquisitions and prices are holding up because of lack of companies for sale.

M&A activity in the middle market is returning to more normalized levels and pricing after the post-COVID bubble remains strong. Certainly better than many years before COVID.

The following sectors remain strong:

- Engineering and Construction
- IT Services (AI, Machine Learning, Cloud, Data Cybersecurity)
- Business Services
- Manufacturing and Logistics
- Transportation

If you have questions about your exit strategy, we're offering a free consultation with our M&A experts. Book a call here: https://lnkd.in/gTerMvRS

Stefan Shaffer shares the latest US Private Capital Report for April 2023.

Private market liquidity conditions currently are among the most arduous in the last decade.

The recent crises surrounding SVB/Signature/FRB/CS only serve to exacerbate already bearish credit markets rocked by high interest rates (SOFR at ~4.85%), stubborn inflationary influences, and continued macroeconomic weakness. Read the full report below.



https://eatonsq.com/blog/a-very-challenging-private-capital-market/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=spp_april2023

Cybersecurity, HealthTech, FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, and GovTech are the most appealing sub-sectors for M&A interest in 2023.

According to Scott Mitchell of Investment Bank SDR Ventures, the most performant sub-sectors fall into two categories: “horizontal software that supports core business operations, the common operating environment or spend reduction, and vertical software in industries that are less prone to cyclical end-markets.” All 5 of the sub-sectors highlighted above share these traits.

[Part 2] 2023 Software M&A Market Outlook: Which sub-sectors are hot versus cold? Look at “Cloud Software’s” incredible 10-year run. The category enjoyed incredible growth in overall size, market capitalization, and equity performance.…

We are pleased to announce our continuous growth in the US with the addition of BGX Advisory.

Joining us are Joe Golden, Scott Kendrick and Anthony Beverina.

BGX | Advisory is a national, full-service, middle-market investment bank based in Washington, DC.

The firm has significant transaction experience with companies operating in the following sectors:



· Healthcare

· Cybersecurity

· Government Services

· Safety & Security

· Public Health

· Franchising & Consumer Goods

Learn more about the team below.

BGX Advisory Joins Eaton Square in the US | Eaton Square BGX Advisory joins Eaton Square. BGX Advisory is a national, full service, middle-market investment bank based in Washington, DC.