The M&A Advisor Marks 25 Years of Recognizing Dealmaking Excellence For 25 years, The M&A Advisor has honored the leaders, firms, and transactions shaping M&A, restructuring, private equity, and corporate finance. This milestone will be celebrated at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit on November 16th & 17th in New York City. The summit will feature curated M&A Connects™ 1-on-1 meetings, M&A Ideas™ Thought Leadership Sessions, M&A TV™ recorded interviews, and a gala celebrating the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards, the 2026 Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Thomas Farrell Memorial Award, and the 2026 Hall of Fame induction. 👉 Click the link to read the full press release and learn more about registration, the agenda, and sponsorship opportunities. zurl.co/MXiyb #FutureOfDealmaking #TheM&AAdvisor #25YearsOfExcellence #PrivateEquity #CorporateFinance #Restructuring #DealmakingSummit2026 #MAAwards25

The future of M&A begins with bold ideas. Click here to apply: zurl.co/eyffH The M&A Advisor Deal Forum 2026 is seeking visionary leaders who are ready to share innovative perspectives and practical insights with the global dealmaking community. As a speaker, you'll: • Establish yourself as an industry authority • Inspire meaningful discussions • Expand your executive network • Gain recognition among senior decision-makers Apply now and make your voice part of the future of dealmaking. #DealForum2026 #ThoughtLeadership #MAAdvisor #MergersAndAcquisitions

Congratulations to the team behind the Sale of Crownpeak to Rezolve AI on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in three categories: • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEAL OF THE YEAR ($100MM TO $250MM) • CORPORATE/STRATEGIC DEAL OF THE YEAR ($100MM TO $250MM) • M&A DEAL OF THE YEAR ($100MM TO $250MM) Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/QGlKV #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

The next wave of private equity isn't chasing mega-deals—it's unlocking value in the lower middle market. 🎧 Watch now and learn how to transform your business into a premium acquisition opportunity: zurl.co/gITI5 As founder-led and family-owned businesses prepare for a generational transition, private equity firms are accelerating buy-and-build strategies to capture high-quality opportunities. But maximizing value requires more than timing—it demands transaction readiness. In this episode of the M&A Advisor Podcast, Dena Jallbert of Align explains why the lower middle market has become one of the most attractive segments in M&A and what business owners can do today to command premium valuations. 🎙️ Key topics include: • Why private equity is investing heavily in lower middle market businesses • How the "Silver Tsunami" is reshaping succession planning and exit strategies • Common deal killers—from messy financials to restrictive contract provisions • Practical steps to position your business for institutional-grade valuations Whether you're a founder, family business owner, investor, or M&A advisor, this conversation provides valuable insights for preparing businesses to attract the right buyers and maximize transaction value. 🎧 Watch now and learn how to transform your business into a premium acquisition opportunity. #MAAdvisor #PrivateEquity #LowerMiddleMarket

Congratulations to the team behind the Sale of Carrier Logistics Inc. to STG on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in two categories: • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEAL OF THE YEAR ($50MM TO $100MM) • PRIVATE EQUITY DEAL OF THE YEAR ($50MM TO $100MM) Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/iTek9 #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

Congratulations to the team Arcadia Capital on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in category:: • INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM OF THE YEAR Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/42W7f #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

Lead the conversation that moves the industry forward. Click here to apply: zurl.co/rfTHk The M&A Advisor Deal Forum 2026 is inviting accomplished professionals to take the stage and share ideas, strategies, and trends influencing the future of M&A. As a speaker, you'll: • Showcase your expertise before a highly engaged audience • Influence industry best practices • Connect with top dealmakers and investors • Strengthen your professional brand Apply today and become part of the industry's leading conversations. #DealForum2026 #ThoughtLeadership #MAAdvisor #MergersAndAcquisitions

Congratulations to the team Consulting for Human Services on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in category: • SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/V6gEG #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

🌟 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: TH GLOBAL CAPITAL 🌟 A strong future for dealmaking starts with the right partnerships. We’re proud to spotlight TH Global Capital as a sponsor of The M&A Advisor’s Future of Dealmaking Summit 2026, taking place November 17–18 in New York City! With expertise in sector-focused investment banking, asset management, and growth advisory, TH Global Capital brings its commitment to wealth creation and strategic growth to a gathering of industry leaders, investors, and dealmaking professionals. 🤝 Where influential connections meet tomorrow’s opportunities. #FutureOfDealmaking #TheMAAdvisor #SponsorSpotlight #THGlobalCapital #MergersAndAcquisitions #InvestmentBanking #PrivateEquity #Dealmaking

Congratulations to the team Mirus Capital Advisors on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in category: • INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM OF THE YEAR Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/mtcpQ #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

Congratulations to the team behind the Sale of RAM Photonics to TE Connectivity on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in two categories: • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEAL OF THE YEAR (OVER $250MM) • CORPORATE/STRATEGIC DEAL OF THE YEAR ($250MM TO $500MM Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/0EPMD #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

The deals that define tomorrow begin with the conversations you have today. Join senior executives, investors, private equity professionals, investment bankers, and M&A advisors in New York for two premier gatherings designed to accelerate meaningful connections and strategic growth. 🔴 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit — September 14–15 Register here: zurl.co/Wp5Mn 🔴 Future of Dealmaking Summit — November 16–17 Register here: zurl.co/KN7Yk Expect curated networking, one-on-one meetings, actionable insights, and opportunities to build relationships that extend well beyond the event. Curated. Intimate. Impactful. Register today. #TheMAAdvisor #DealForum2026 #LeadershipInDealmaking #FutureOfDealmaking

Congratulations to the team behind the Investment in Boston Green Company by Fort Point Capital on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in two categories: • INDUSTRIALS DEAL OF THE YEAR ($50MM TO $100MM) • PRIVATE EQUITY DEAL OF THE YEAR ($50MM TO $100MM) Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/2ct6F #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

🌟 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: ALLIANT 🌟 A strong future for dealmaking starts with the right partnerships. We’re proud to announce that Alliant is a sponsor of the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit, featuring the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards! Thank you, Alliant, for supporting the dealmaking community and helping us bring together the industry’s top leaders, innovators, and dealmakers for a landmark celebration of excellence. We’re grateful for your partnership and can’t wait to welcome you in 2026. 🤝 #FutureOfDealmaking #MAAdvisor #MAAdvisorAwards #Alliant #MergersAndAcquisitions #DealMaking #SponsorSpotlight

What happens when one of the largest sources of post-deal value is treated as an administrative exercise? In this M&A Advisor discussion, David M. Neikrug of Optimatum Solutions and Manuel Padilla of McAndrews & Forbes unpack the often-overlooked financial impact of HR harmonization in M&A. Benefits, compensation, insurance, and workforce programs can add up to an eight-figure opportunity or liability, yet they’re often assumed to be fully captured in the deal model. They also discuss how to balance savings with the employee experience, including culture, communication, and retention. A practical listen for private equity professionals, corporate development teams, executives, HR leaders, and dealmakers looking for value hiding in the workforce economics of an acquisition. Faculty Speakers: David M. NeikrugChief Executive Officer, Optimatum Solutions Manuel PadillaVice President, Risk Management and Insurance, McAndrews & Forbes Listen now on Spotify: zurl.co/NbNU8 Apple Podcasts: zurl.co/ulmFM YouTube: zurl.co/CFvTc #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquity #HumanResources #ValueCreation #MandAInsights #Dealmaking #OptimatumSolutions

Congratulations to the team behind the Sale of AeroDynamics Metal Finishing to Talica, a portfolio company of JLL Partners, on its recognition as a finalist at the 25th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. 🏆 The transaction has been named a finalist in two categories: • INDUSTRIALS DEAL OF THE YEAR ($25MM TO $50MM) • PRIVATE EQUITY DEAL OF THE YEAR ($25MM TO $50MM) Join us at the 2026 Future of Dealmaking Summit to celebrate this year’s finalists and connect with leaders across the M&A community. zurl.co/90YIv #MAAdvisor #MAAwards #FutureOfDealmaking #Dealmaking

“AI is transformative.” Jeffrey Schwarcz, Managing Director and U.S. Private Equity Leader at Alvarez & Marsal, explains how AI is changing the speed, analysis, and execution of deals across the private equity lifecycle. He discusses how firms are using AI to review information faster, advise clients more efficiently, and evaluate how portfolio companies are adapting to the technology — while emphasizing that AI should enhance, not replace, human judgment. Watch this exclusive interview from the 2026 Leadership and Dealmaking Summit, where Jeffrey also shares how Alvarez & Marsal supports private equity clients from diligence and acquisition through integration, value creation, and exit — and why training the next generation to work effectively with AI will be one of the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. zurl.co/RKrO8 #LeadershipInDealmaking #MandAInsights #PrivateEquity #AIinFinance #ArtificialIntelligence #DealMaking #AlvarezAndMarsal #MergersAndAcquisitions #FutureOfDealmaking #MandATV

In today's M&A market, speed is an advantage—but only if diligence keeps pace. 🎧 Watch now and learn how to transform due diligence from a process into a strategic advantage: zurl.co/GT8uL With deal timelines shrinking from 60 days to just 30, successful acquirers are rethinking due diligence. The firms creating the most value aren't just checking boxes—they're using technology, insurance solutions, and smarter execution to gain a competitive edge. In this episode of the M&A Advisor Podcast, Dan Lee, Marc McCabe, Jeffrey Michelson, and Erika Highland share practical strategies from the 2025 LID Summit for navigating accelerated dealmaking without compromising quality. 🎙️ Key topics include: • How to conduct effective due diligence under compressed deal timelines • The growing role of AI-powered Quality of Earnings (QofE) analysis • Using Reps & Warranties insurance to reduce transaction risk and bridge indemnity gaps • Why independent sponsors are reshaping the middle-market private equity landscape Whether you're an investor, advisor, lender, or corporate acquirer, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you move faster, mitigate risk, and close with greater confidence. #MAAdvisor #DueDiligence #PrivateEquity #MiddleMarket

“There are immense opportunities in HR that are still being left on the table.” David Neikrug, CEO of Optimatum Solutions LLC, shares how private equity firms can capture more value by treating HR as a strategic workstream, from pre-deal due diligence and Day One readiness to post-close synergies. He also explains why HR operational savings can translate into meaningful EBITDA impact. In this exclusive interview from the 2026 Leadership and Dealmaking Summit, David also covers continuation vehicles, private credit, and portfolio operations, including how lenders can reduce risk by bringing practical operating tools and experienced partners into portfolio companies when conditions get tough. Watch the full interview now. zurl.co/LwyLU #LeadershipInDealmaking #MandAInsights #PrivateEquity #HumanResources #ValueCreation #PrivateCredit #PortfolioOperations #OptimatumSolutions #Dealmaking #MergersAndAcquisitions #MandATV

Your voice could inspire the next generation of dealmakers. Click here to apply: zurl.co/QCvWV The M&A Advisor Deal Forum 2026 is looking for experienced executives, advisors, investors, and innovators ready to share their expertise with an audience of industry leaders. As a speaker, you'll: • Position yourself as a trusted thought leader • Share insights that drive meaningful conversations • Build valuable relationships with industry peers • Increase your visibility across the M&A community Apply now and help shape the future of dealmaking. #DealForum2026 #ThoughtLeadership #MAAdvisor #MergersAndAcquisitions