The Transaction Abstract Podcast

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, we revisit a foundational part of the M&A process that is often misunderstood yet plays a direct role in value and outcomes: the M&A advisor. Redpath's Joe Hellman sits down with Mike Hirschberg from Franklin Partners to break down what an advisor actually does in a sell-side transaction. With experience across middle-market investment banking a...

In this episode of the Transaction Abstract Podcast, we focus on a part of the M&A process that doesn't always get enough attention but ultimately determines whether a deal delivers on its promise: integration planning. Redpath's Joe Hellman sits down with Joe Hagen, founder of 29th Street Advisors, to talk through what it really takes to turn deal strategy into execution. With experience spanning...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sits down with Ashlyn Gray, a Tax Senior Manager in Redpath's Transaction Advisory Services practice, to discuss Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and why it can play an important role in transaction planning. QSBS, governed by Section 1202 of the tax code, can allow certain founders and investors to exclude a significant portion...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Redpath's Joe Hellman sat down with Rob Cherun, founder and managing partner of Legate Partners, to talk about what ownership really requires and how the search journey shapes better operators and investors. Drawing from his experience building and scaling a business to nearly 2,000 employees before exiting and returning as an investor, Rob shar...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sits down with Lee Koury, Managing Director at Smart Business Network, to talk about the role networking really plays in M&A and business transitions. Drawing from decades of experience building relationships with founders, CEOs, and investors, Lee shares how trust, transparency, and long-term connection shape better outcomes... ofte...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sits down with Nonye Thompson, Managing Director in Redpath's Transaction Advisory Services practice, to break down one of the most important, and often misunderstood, components of the deal process: the Quality of Earnings (QoE).  Drawing from years of experience leading buy-side and sell-side diligence engagements for transactions...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sits down with Dan Hennessey, the newly appointed CEO of Sam Schwartz Pedestrian Traffic Management Services, Inc.  Dan is a former M&A professional who successfully completed his own Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) search. Drawing from years of deal experience on both the banking and private equity side, and now as an ope...

In the latest episode of the Transaction Abstract podcast, host Joe Hellman, Transaction Advisory Services Practice Lead at Redpath and Company, sits down with Kim Lowe, a founding partner at Avisen Legal, to unravel the complexities of buying and selling businesses.  Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience, Kim shares frontline insights from both the legal buy-side and sell-side of transaction...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman speaks with Jake Parsley, a partner at SMB Law Group specializing in search fund transactions. They discuss the specific legal hurdles self-funded searchers face when acquiring Main Street businesses. The Self-Funded Search Landscape Self-funded search funds often involve first-time entrepreneurs acquiring businesses valued at less t...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sat down with Emma Gergen from Carlson Private Capital Partners to explore quality of earnings (QoE) studies and why they have become essential in M&A transactions. Many business owners wonder if they even need a sell-side QoE if the buyer will already conduct one. The answer, according to Gergen, is simple. She argues that you want...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sat down with Marshall Johnson from Northspring Partners to explore the search fund model and how it provides opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to exit their companies. What is a Search Fund? "A search fund is when an aspiring operator wants to go find and lead a great company, and they raise money,...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sat down with Ross Hamann, Executive Vice President at CAC Specialty , to explore the crucial role insurance plays in mergers and acquisition transactions. What is Transaction Insurance? Transaction insurance encompasses several products designed to facilitate deals by addressing risks that might otherwise prevent a successful closin...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman sat down with Tom Walker, an attorney from Winthrop and Weinstein with over 35 years of ESOP experience, to explore Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as a business exit strategy. What is an ESOP? An ESOP is a qualified retirement plan similar to a 401(k), but with two key differences. First, the primary investment is company sto...

In this latest episode of The Transaction Abstract, Joe Hellman sits down with Alex Stuart from PGIM Private Capital to discuss current market conditions and transaction trends.   Introduction to PGIM Private Capital PGIM Private Capital , part of Prudential Financial's investment management business, operates across various asset classes including public debt, real estate, and private equity. The...

In this latest episode of the Transaction Abstract Podcast , Joe Hellman explores the crucial differences between private equity and strategic buyers in mergers and acquisitions, providing valuable insights for business owners considering a sale. Joe is joined by Ben Axelrod , Managing Director at Borgman Capital , bringing over 20 years of M&A experience. Drawing from his extensive background, Ax...

In this latest episode of the Transaction Abstract Podcast, Joe Hellman dives into the intersection of wealth management and mergers and acquisitions. Joe is joined by Craig Kleis and Bob Dietz from  Bernstein Private Wealth Management to explore how succession planning and wealth strategies can impact post-transaction outcomes. From pre-transaction preparation to navigating life post-sale, Kleis...

In this episode of The Transaction Abstract podcast, Joe Hellman of Redpath and Company welcomes Kiel Larsen of  Bridgeway Partners to discuss how strategic acquisitions and operational improvements can drive growth in fragmented industries.  The conversation highlights the potential of roll-up strategies for creating value, building a sustainable operational foundation, and fostering growth. Sett...

Anders Olson, director at Hennepin Partners , joined  The Transaction Abstract podcast host, Joe Hellman of Redpath and Company , to explore the key aspects of technology mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly in the software sector. As they delve into the topic, they emphasize the growing relevance of software and the specific factors that make it a highly sought-after asset in today's mark...

Maggie Tatton, partner in Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions practice group and leader of the firm's Private Equity M&A practice, joined Joe Hellman, Redpath and Company partner and host of The Transaction Abstract, to discuss the many hats an M&A attorney might wear in the deal process—and how their specialized insights can impact the transaction process and outcome.  Maggie and Joe discuss...

Spencer Gerberding joined Joe Hellman, host of The Transaction Abstract and partner at Redpath and Company , to talk about his personal experience—and what he learned—going through an M&A transaction process with his extended family and their business.  Like many individuals going through a transaction for the first time, Spencer had limited knowledge of the process and what it would demand from h...

Kevin Bibelhausen, Principal at Fruition Capital , joined host Joe Hellman, Partner at Redpath and Company , on The Transaction Abstract podcast. On this episode, Kevin and Joe discuss the "self-funded" transaction, what that means, what does that process look like, and why self-funding could be a viable option for business owners—or self-funded searchers—looking to acquire other businesses. Accor...

Ryan Miske, Partner at Faegre Drinker and chair of the law firm's private equity practice, joined The Transaction Abstract to discuss the state of the 2024 M&A market.  Ryan and Joe cover what has happened over the past year along with M&A characteristics and market trends in 2024, including: Buyer and seller leverage Transaction financing Process timelines (including diligence) Antitrust regulati...

 Sam Van Hon, CFO of PACK Private Capital, joined the Transaction Abstract podcast to discuss his experiences and lessons learned through the buy-side transaction process.  Van Hon describes PACK Private Capital as a multi-family office with 16 partners and an "evergreen model" (holding acquisitions in perpetuity to grow and deliver shareholder value) that maintains a large focus in the constructi...

There are countless matters to consider when preparing to sell your business—one of which is your supply chain.  In this episode of The Transaction Abstract, Rob Kress, CEO of Waypost Advisors , joined Joe Hellman, partner at Redpath and Company , to discuss opportunities to shore up supply chain challenges or concerns to maximize the value of your business—or make your business more attractive—wh...

Mike Hirschberg, Director at Northborne Partners , joined Joe Hellman, Partner at Redpath and Company , to reflect on 2023 M&A activity and discuss the current state of the marketplace for low to middle market organizations.  2023 finished the year as a tale of two time periods. The first part of the year provided a bit of market turmoil (including the failing of some major banks). Deal flow slowe...