PHG connects exceptional private businesses with leading investors to create win-win transactions.
Our goal is to help business owners navigate the M&A and investment ecosystem without wasting time, energy or money.
PHG was founded by former private equity professionals who believed there was a better way to handle M&A deals in the lower-mid market.
We are compensated solely by the buyer in any potential transaction – we do not take any share of proceeds from business owners.
Based in New York City, PHG leverages strong relationships with over 100 private equity firms and investors to maximize opportunities for our clients.
Key Differentiators
We focus on quality introductions over quantity, delivering pre-vetted conversations that maximize value and minimize time investment.
Although PHG is compensated solely by buyers, we aim to create win-win transactions that benefit all parties involved.
Our bespoke execution and tailored strategies ensure solutions precisely aligned with your unique needs.
We leverage extensive M&A, Private Equity, Accounting, and Board-level experience to drive optimal outcomes.
How It Works
Our process is simple, effective, and free.
We contact you because you run a great company.
We discuss your business goals and valuation requirements.
We introduce you to the best fitting buyer/strategic partner.
You negotiate directly with the buyer.
When the deal closes, you don’t owe any fees.
Year-to-Date 2024 Stats
Signed LOIs
Closed Deals
Testimonials
“PHG has been a terrific partner to North-West in helping us navigate the best path forward for the business. It was their support and knowledge that ultimately assured a very successful outcome.”
“I was initially hesitant to sell my business given all the unknowns. PHG was a tremendous help in educating me on private equity and the sale process generally. Everything they said would happen did happen. I can confidently say that I would never have achieved this great outcome without them.”
“PHG helped us identify the ideal buyer. They attentively listened to our requirements, namely our desire to ensure our legacy, and found the right party. PHG’s blend of professionalism and personability was exactly what we needed, and their involvement proved immensely impactful throughout our acquisition process.”
“From our initial conversation all the way to a signed offer with their client, it was very enjoyable and educational working with the PHG team. They understood all of my concerns and were able to answer many of the initial questions as it related to a potential sale of my business. I wanted to make sure my people and company would be taken care of with the right partner — in the end, it was a fantastic outcome overall. I can confidently say that we are thankful PHG reached out to us.”
“PHG played a crucial role in maximizing the value of my business. They conduct themselves with utmost transparency and were pivotal in achieving a highly favorable outcome. Despite initial skepticism, I am pleased that I trusted their team’s guidance.”
“PHG was instrumental in helping us find the right partner. They acted with complete professionalism and discretion. It was a quick and easy process to receive a great offer from their client and we are excited for the future growth to come with our business.”
“My in-house succession plan hit a major roadblock with an unforeseen life event. I needed to explore other options for myself and my successors. PHG introduced me to potential partners and started the conversation. Their efforts helped bring us to a partnership with a bright future.”
“PHG has been a great partner to North West in helping us navigate the best path forward for the business and its stakeholders. Their support and knowledge have been invaluable in assuring a beneficial outcome.”
FAQs
How do I know if it’s the right time to sell to private equity?
Unlike what most M&A advisors will tell you, the right answer is not always to “sell now.” We understand the significance of monetizing your business; it is a major life event and we at PHG don’t take that responsibility lightly. We take a consultative approach in helping owners uncover the right path forward, centered around genuine discussion and conversation.
We provide our thoughts and views as it pertains to several key elements to consider, including market timing, the state of a particular industry, valuation considerations, exit planning, individual goals, desired time to stay with the business, family dynamics, growth levers, and specific company nuances that may lend itself well to a near-term sale or not. We enjoy speaking with owners on this topic and providing our insights in hopes of helping an owner make the most informed decision, even if they are not in a rush to do anything.
Doing right by owners is the lifeblood of our business and relationships are often formed years in advance of selling.
If I sell to private equity, what will my role be going forward?
Your role going forward will largely be dependent on what you want it to be. In all cases, a private equity firm will want owners to stick around for a transition period of at least 6-12 months so there is no sudden shock to the system. From there, it depends on personal desires and goals.
If you are motivated to continue to run your business, you can remain the leader with a go-forward salary and can keep skin in the game/ownership through rolling over equity that can generate a large ‘second bite of the apple’ upon a subsequent sale of the business. If you plan to retire or focus attention elsewhere, a private equity-backed buyer can help you put in place a succession plan to maintain the legacy of your business.
If I sell to private equity, what happens to my employees and my brand?
By and large, your employees and brand will remain intact. The stigma around private equity layoffs to increase the bottom line has often been sensationalized and typically does not apply in the middle market, where recruiting and retaining talent is paramount. In many cases, employees are better off post-sale as their pay stays the same (or increases) and they often receive enhanced benefit packages.
In terms of your brand, a private equity firm will look to maintain the legacy of your brand throughout your community, as that stellar reputation is a big piece of what they are paying for.
What will the buyer be focused on?
A buyer will want to know several things before putting forth an offer, including but not limited to: revenue trends over time, service mix of revenue, profitability / margins, growth strategy, customer retention and concentration, organizational structure, employee count / compensation, brand reputation, and owner plans going forward. At PHG, we can work with owners to make sure they are showcasing their business in the best possible light and not leaving money on the table through a lack of preparation.
What can a buyside origination firm help me with?
As a buyside origination and advisory firm, PHG can work with owners on exit planning, diligence preparation, and ultimately connecting you with reputable potential buyers without wasting your time with inexperienced parties, opportunistic tire kickers, or undercapitalized buyers. We truly believe in a quality-over-quantity approach as it pertains to buyers.
How do I assure confidentiality?
We take confidentiality extremely seriously and view it as a key part of the value proposition that we provide as a buyside firm. We know that the topic of M&A can be very sensitive internally within a company and always operate with this in mind, setting up a contact protocol that that protects your privacy. Unlike sellside brokers, we don’t put businesses on online listing websites, which increases the risk of competitors or employees finding out, but rather focus on finding the right fit economically and culturally through knowing the industries we operate in inside and out.
Do I need representation?
To successfully execute a sale, you will need legal representation from an experienced M&A attorney and involvement from your CPA / tax attorney to understand the tax consequences in a sale.