Middle Market Growth

Upskilling is an important component to a human capital management strategy, but isn't enough to fill today’s AI talent gap. Daniel Pianko, cofounder and managing director at private equity firm Achieve Partners, offers a look into the firm’s apprenticeship program that begins filling that gap for porticos at the very top of the talent acquisition funnel—with demonstrable impact on EBITDA growth....

The middle market continues to face an uncertain and challenging environment, but new data from KeyBank’s Middle Market Snapshot survey reveals something surprising about midmarket borrowers’ use of private capital: It’s become an important lever for strategic growth, not just survival. KeyBank’s Chris Picardi joins the podcast in a conversation about more of the survey’s findings and considers ho...

Firms that can respond swiftly to a complicated and rapidly shifting investment environment have a competitive advantage. Creating that agility requires the right human capital strategy, a component that is often overlooked, says Insperity Private Capital Consultant Brad Burke. He joins the podcast to offer tips on enhancing operational agility through people pre- and post-close, how AI plays into...

Since 2020, private equity has seen high highs and low lows, and in a more competitive and condensed market, firms are having to pull different levers to see value. Adrian Nohr, principal with CLA, joins the podcast to share her perspective on how shifting market dynamics are influencing buyer behavior, discuss how dealmakers are navigating valuation gap, and explore the latest considerations lead...

AI has fueled white-collar layoffs at blue chip companies, but many middle-market workers and leaders are uncertain of exactly how and when AI will impact their lives and businesses. Stephen Murray, founder and president of Grow Fast Advisory, shares how AI is driving change in the middle market, where value can leak during the transition to AI, and what well-managed AI adoption gets right. This e...

Geopolitical tensions have shaken the markets, spiked fuel prices, and created new financial challenges for consumers at the gas pump and beyond. Joining the podcast to share more about the health of the consumer sector and what it means for lending in the space are WhiteHorse Capital’s Javier Casillas and Stephen Migdal. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital. To learn more about Wh...

In the last fifteen months, private equity investment in law firms has gone from theoretical to reality. Tom Lenfestey of the Law Practice Exchange is back with the podcast to talk about new legal and regulatory developments, what drives multiples in law firm valuations, the cultural elements dealmakers should consider, and more. This episode is brought to you by Hilco Global. Learn more at hilcog...

Recent research from the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) found there are four distinct styles of decision making for strategic leaders in the middle market, each with impacts on performance and growth. Doug Farren, executive director of the NCMM, is back with the podcast to talk about those decision-making styles and what they mean for business leaders and investors. This podcast is b...

New research from RSM argues that the way we define the middle market is due for a major change. Tuan Nguyen, an economist at RSM, says the shifts in the makeup of the middle market have major implications for the people that work within it. Nguyen joins the podcast to dive into the findings and share the biggest takeaways for middle-market business leaders and dealmakers. This episode is brought...

For the sixth episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series, we talk to two attendees who ended up inking a deal at last year's DealMAX. Doug Cullen, chief strategy officer of Datasite, and Henry Lindemann, cofounder and chief growth officer of Blueflame AI, join the podcast to share their story, tips for those who hope to replicate their success at this year's DealMAX, and data-based insights for...

ACG’s Q1 Market Pulse Survey found that retail was the sector least likely to see increased M&A activity in the first half of 2026. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced market, says Mike Ross, U.S. consumer markets deal leader at PwC. He joins the podcast to explore the consumer habits creating investment opportunity, why carve-outs have grown in popularity, and more. The Middle Market Growth...

What’s ahead for the lending world in the year ahead, and how does that play into why lenders come to DealMAX? In our fifth Inside DealMAX episode of 2026, we’re joined by Christine Nowaczyk, SVP at U.S. Bank, and Jalal Taby, SVP at Comerica Bank—both veteran lenders and DealMAX attendees—to talk about their lending outlook for 2026 and how they get the most out of DealMAX. Register today at dealm...

Have you ever wished you could get a memo on what the person negotiating with you across the table is really thinking? You can, says microexpressions expert Annie Sarnblad, if you learn to read the minute and universal facial cues that everyone makes. Sarnblad joins the podcast to explain why microexpressions matter and how to make them work for you in negotiations. This episode is brought to you...

It's possible that no one knows more about DealMAX than Kate Weaver, vice president of events at ACG. She joins us for the fourth episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series to share the secrets behind the scenes and what attendees can look forward to this year, as well as hot tips and conference hacks only an insider would know. To join us at DealMAX, learn more at dealmax.org. The Middle Market...

While data providers may see M&A conferences as an opportunity to seek out dealmakers, GF Data's Ruben Burke and Ryan McCann say DealMAX flips the script and offers a chance for the dealmakers to come to them. The two sit down for the third episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series to share how they engage with the middle-market M&A community, plus offer some sneak peeks into the latest of GF D...

From geopolitical events to tariff fallout, 2025 brought plenty of surprises, and 2026 will surely hold some of its own. Pankaj Gupta, CEO of WhiteHorse Capital, and Stuart Aronson, chair of WhiteHorse Capital, are back with the podcast to share their observations on how the lending space was impacted by the events of 2025 and their predictions for the year ahead—for the lending world and the broa...

Many industries, including management consulting and legal firms, have long used a talent model that requires hiring large classes of entry-level workers. Now that AI efficiency gains have appeared in many sectors, that large pool of new hires is being trimmed down—but what does that mean for firms that will need mid-career and senior workers in a few years? Atta Tarki, founder and chair of ECA Pa...

Last August, President Trump issued an executive order for the Department of Labor and Securities and Exchange Commission to lay a framework allowing private equity investments within 401(k)s. The initiative would unlock a new, potentially massive source of capital. But democratizing private equity for retail investors would have many implications for firms, says Jim Walker, partner and global hea...

Michael Feuz, economist with ITR Economics, is back to share what middle-market business leaders and dealmakers can expect in the year ahead. From interest rates and inflation to deal flow and AI, Feuz discusses the biggest trends that will shape the economy in the U.S. and globally in 2026. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear...

The shape that M&A takes in the first quarter of 2026 will color the mood at DealMAX and what dealmakers are looking to accomplish as they hit the deal floor in April. Doug Brookman, managing director at Mesirow Investment Banking and this year’s DealMAX chair, and Mike Alberts, principal and head of business development at Cohere Capital and vice president of ACG Boston, join the podcast for the...

Roughly 16 weeks out from DealMAX 2026, we’re kicking off this year’s Inside DealMAX series, taking you behind the scenes of ACG’s flagship conference for the middle market, taking place April 27th through 29th at the ARIA in Las Vegas. Brent Baxter, CEO of ACG Global, and Suzie Doran, partner at SingerLewak and the incoming ACG chair, sit down with the podcast to discuss what they expect from the...

Forvis Mazars recently held a set of exclusive events for high-level dealmakers, in partnership with ACG and GF Data, to dissect the latest data on deal activity and to take a look into what 2026 might hold for PE-backed midmarket M&A. Scott Linch of Forvis Mazars and Bob Dunn of GF Data join the podcast to share what they discovered about fundraising, exits, the performance of specific sectors, a...

A recent survey of manufacturing executives conducted by Forvis Mazars found strong optimism for future growth, despite supplier price hikes, tariff shock waves, and other pressures. Bryan Wright, national manufacturing sector leader at Forvis Mazars, sits down with the podcast to share what’s driving this positive sentiment, how AI and automation are shaping the sector, and how he sees manufactur...

Past cycles have proven the beauty sector is resilient to downturns, but how will beauty M&A make out in the coming year? Fromm Beauty's Marty Okner and DC Advisory's Luc-Henry Rousselle join the podcast to discuss the most promising sectors, the challenges and opportunities in celebrity beauty brands, and what they expect for deals in 2026. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produc...

Youth sports is estimated to be a $40 billion dollar industry, and one that private equity has been eyeing with interest. Christopher Russo, CEO and founder of Fifth Generation Sports, joins the podcast to discuss the risks and opportunities in the youth sports sector, as well as other sports niches that could be home runs for investors. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced b...