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Acquisition Intelligence.
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Frameworks, analysis, and deal intelligence for private equity professionals, search fund operators, and M&A practitioners who want an edge.
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Common Acquisition Red Flags in Private Market Deals
Experienced investors recognize warning signs early. Here are the most common red flags that surface in LMM deal analysis and what they actually signal.
Sarah Chen
April 28, 2026
Building a Repeatable Deal Screening Process
Deal volume in the lower middle market demands a disciplined screening framework. Here is how leading search funds and PE firms build a process that scales without sacrificing quality.
Marcus Reid
April 10, 2026
Search Fund Acquisition Frameworks That Scale
The best searchers combine systematic sourcing with disciplined acquisition frameworks. This piece breaks down the frameworks that produce repeatable outcomes.
Sarah Chen
May 20, 2026
Evaluating Proprietary vs. Brokered Opportunities
Not all deal flow is created equal. Understanding the structural differences between proprietary and brokered opportunities shapes both how you diligence and what you pay.
Marcus Reid
March 15, 2026
First-Pass Deal Evaluation Best Practices
A fast, rigorous first-pass evaluation separates high-volume searchers from those who waste months on unqualified opportunities. Here is a proven methodology.
James Whitfield
February 22, 2026
EBITDA Adjustments Explained for LMM Deals
Adjusted EBITDA is central to LMM deal valuation, but the adjustment methodology varies widely. Here is a rigorous framework for evaluating addbacks.
Marcus Reid
May 5, 2026
Key Metrics PE Firms Monitor Through Ownership
From acquisition to exit, PE firms track a specific set of operating and financial KPIs. Understanding this framework helps management teams prioritize what moves the needle.
James Whitfield
April 18, 2026
Investment Committee Preparation Best Practices
A well-prepared IC memo makes the difference between a confident vote and a prolonged debate. Here is how experienced deal teams structure and present investment decisions.
Sarah Chen
March 28, 2026
DCF Fundamentals for Private Market Investors
Discounted cash flow analysis remains a foundational valuation tool even in private markets. Here is how to apply it rigorously to LMM acquisitions.
James Whitfield
May 28, 2026
EBITDA Multiple Analysis in the Lower Middle Market
EBITDA multiples are the primary pricing currency in LMM transactions. Understanding what drives multiple variation is essential for both buyers and sellers.
Sarah Chen
April 5, 2026
Valuation Mistakes in Lower Middle Market Deals
Even experienced investors make systematic valuation errors in LMM transactions. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Marcus Reid
March 8, 2026
Financial Due Diligence Checklist for M&A
A rigorous financial due diligence process protects buyers from post-close surprises. This is the checklist institutional investors use on LMM transactions.
Sarah Chen
June 1, 2026
Customer Concentration Analysis in Acquisitions
Customer concentration is one of the most significant risk factors in LMM deals. Here is a framework for measuring, mitigating, and pricing for concentration risk.
Marcus Reid
May 14, 2026
Evaluating Management Teams in Private Market Deals
Management team quality is the hardest dimension of a private company to diligence and the most predictive of post-acquisition outcomes. Here is how to do it well.
James Whitfield
April 22, 2026
Lower Middle Market M&A Outlook 2026
After two years of market adjustment, LMM deal activity is showing signs of durable recovery. Here is what investors should expect in 2026 and beyond.
Sarah Chen
June 10, 2026
Industry Multiples in the Lower Middle Market
Multiple benchmarks vary significantly by sector in the LMM. Here is a data-informed breakdown of where different industry segments trade and why.
Marcus Reid
May 22, 2026
Private Market Trends Shaping Deal Flow
Structural shifts in private markets—from GP-led secondaries to AI-augmented diligence—are reshaping how deals are sourced, evaluated, and transacted.
James Whitfield
June 8, 2026
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