Deal-making among private equity firms in the U.S. declined in the third quarter as prices for middle-market companies remains well above their value, according to a report from PitchBook Thursday. Learn more…      

Vant Capital Partners (VCP), a division of The Vant Group, recently acquired Thornhill Catering, a 32-year-old Corporate catering company specializing in business breakfast, lunch and company events. “VCP is thrilled to add Thornhill Catering to its portfolio of companies,” said Alex Vantarakis, Founder of The Vant Group. “Though there are many catering companies to choose from, Thornhill sets itself apart in four differentiating areas; Flexibility, Quality of Food, Price and 10% of all profits are allocated for charitable purposes.” Please

When You Start Or Buy A New Business A career as a business owner has a beginning and an end. If you are giving birth to the business of your own or adopting one that is already operating, it is important to spare a moment’s thought for how you plan to end this chapter of your life. You need an exit strategy. Take the time to review this information before your busy career as an owner gets too far along.

PitchBook Dealmakers Column The current private equity deal-making environment is dynamic, marked by several key factors that may seem at odds with the economic landscape. It is counter-intuitive to think that there is a liquidity surplus of both debt and equity capital. Not only are there plenty of funds available, interest is strong from all lender/investor constituencies. Companies with solid operational profiles and sound financial reporting are being well received by all funding sources. The senior debt market has eased,

By Axial | April 7, 2016 For the owner of any small business, deciding to bring in an M&A advisor or investment banker is a big decision. For family businesses, the decision can bring additional trepidation around questions of ownership, legacy, family leadership dynamics, and more. Says Mark Kincannon of Confidential Business Intermediaries, which works primarily with family-owned businesses, family business owners “want to make sure that this business that has been their baby for many years, sometimes even generations,

How to Maximize Valuation in 2016