The 2025 M&A market has seen shifting momentum as interest rates, private equity dry powder, and buyer selectivity redefine deal dynamics in the lower middle market. Strategic acquirers remain active, but valuation discipline and due diligence rigor have intensified, rewarding well-prepared companies with stable cash flow and clean financials. As we look ahead to 2026, indicators point to renewed deal flow driven by expected rate cuts, pent-up buyer demand, and an aging ownership base accelerating exits. This session will highlight key 2025 trends, forecast 2026 deal conditions, and outline how owners can position their businesses to attract premium offers when the market reopens in full stride.
Learning Objectives:
1. Review 2025 M&A performance drivers — Understand how macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, inflation, and private equity capital deployment shaped deal volume and valuations.
2. Identify emerging 2026 opportunities — Explore expected market catalysts, including lower borrowing costs, sector-specific recovery, and strategic buyer activity across manufacturing, services, and tech.
3. Recognize valuation and diligence trends — Learn what today’s buyers scrutinize most—quality of earnings, customer concentration, leadership depth—and how these factors impact deal multiples.
4. Align business readiness with market timing — Gain clarity on how to strengthen financial transparency, operational independence, and risk reduction ahead of a sale or recapitalization.
5. Prepare for multiple exit pathways — Examine how partial sales, minority recapitalizations, and strategic partnerships can serve as interim liquidity or succession solutions in a shifting M&A environment.
About the Presenter:
Hear from industry expert Michael Butler.
Event Location
Event Details
Who Should Attend?
-
Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
-
CPAs/Accountants
Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.
-
Wealth Managers
You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.
-
Financial Advisors
One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.
-
Valuation Analysts
Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.
-
Investment Bankers
Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.
-
Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
-
Strategic Consultants
One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.
-
Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
-
Mergers & Acquisition Advisors
Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.
-
Commercial Lenders
One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.
-
Family Business Advisors
More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.
-
Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
-
Private Business Owners
-
Members of Family Business Boards
-
Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
-
Business Owners
-
Other Business Professionals
-
Business Consultants
-
Professional Advisors
EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.