2026 M&A Boom? What Dealmakers Must Know
Brent Baxter, CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth, predicts 2026 will be a "swell" year for middle‑market M&A as deal flow accelerates. Private‑equity firms are extending hold periods from four to six years, creating a backlog of exits and driving heightened competition. Record levels of dry‑powder capital and the growing use of AI for operational efficiency and valuation are reshaping deal dynamics. Meanwhile, relationship‑focused networking remains the primary catalyst for closing transactions, as evidenced by DealMAX’s 3,400 attendees and 20,000+ meetings.
Beyond the Numbers Operational Excellence Drives Deal Value
The episode centers on why operational excellence matters throughout the M&A lifecycle, especially for midsize manufacturing platforms. Host Roger Agenaldo interviews Henning Bronze and Gizai of Komoto Consulting, who argue that financial models alone miss critical plant‑level realities that can...
Lessons in Leadership, Ethics, and Legacy From the Thomas Farrell Memorial Awards Honorees
The episode of the M&A Advisor podcast spotlights the 2025 Thomas Farrell Memorial Award honorees, focusing on Jacob For, a dairy‑farm‑born investment banker turned co‑founder of Capstone Partners. Host Roger Agenaldo frames the conversation around leadership, ethics, and legacy, bringing...
Business Restructuring: Looking Into a Crystal Ball or Down a Rabbit Hole
The episode of the M&A Advisor podcast tackles the growing wave of corporate restructurings, probing whether firms are merely peering into a crystal ball or diving down a rabbit hole of financial engineering. Host Roger Agenaldo and his guests discuss...
Dealmaking DNA: A Conversation with a Lifelong Entrepreneur
The M&A Advisor podcast featured a candid conversation with lifelong entrepreneur George Zimmer, who recounted his path from founding Men’s Warehouse in 1973 to launching the wedding‑focused rental platform Generation Tux. He explained how a desire to avoid working for...
