Services

Three services.
One goal: your best outcome.

Carleton McKenna & Co is a Cleveland-based middle market investment bank. Whether you are ready to sell today, need capital for growth, or are years away from a transaction, we have a program built for where you are right now.

01 · M&A Advisory

Sell-side M&A that puts
you in control.

We specialize in sell-side M&A and majority recapitalizations for closely-held businesses, family-owned companies, financial sponsor portfolio companies, and divisions of public corporations.

No process is the same. We custom-build each engagement around your goals: maximizing headline price, preserving your team, finding the right cultural fit, or all three.

Our experience on both sides of the table, including significant buy-side work, means we understand exactly how acquirers think, what they value, and where there is room to negotiate.

Exclusive representation. We work only for the seller. We never represent both parties in a transaction.
Custom buyer universe. Strategic buyers, private equity, and family offices, targeted to your business specifically.
Competitive process management. We create and sustain tension throughout to maximize your outcome.
Senior bankers at every step. From positioning through closing, you work with experienced M&A professionals.
Proven price enhancement. We average a 21%+ increase from initial bid to closing price.
02 · Capital Advisory

The right capital,
at the right terms.

When your business requires outside capital to grow, acquire, recapitalize, or address liquidity, we source and structure the right solution from the right partners.

Our relationships span commercial banks, finance companies, credit opportunity funds, family offices, and insurance companies. We deliver real-time insight on market terms, structures, and alternatives. Not generic guidance.

Debt Capital. Senior secured, asset-based, and unitranche facilities optimized for your capital structure.
Subordinated Debt. Mezzanine and subordinated notes to bridge gaps in acquisition or recapitalization financing.
Structured Equity. Minority equity and preferred solutions for owners who want capital without a full sale.
Acquisition Financing. Advisory to companies seeking financing to complete add-on acquisitions.
03 · Strategic Advisory

Not ready to sell?
Start preparing now.

Our Strategic Advisory program is for owners who want to maximize enterprise value before going to market, whether that is one year out or five. We benchmark your business against comparable transactions, identify gaps, and build a concrete value-creation plan.

Led by professionals with private equity backgrounds, our program provides board-level guidance without requiring you to sell any equity. Fees include performance-based components. We win when you win.

Valuation benchmarking. We compare your financial, commercial, and operational profile against recent transactions in your sector.
Value gap analysis. Identify and close the gaps that reduce your multiple before going to market.
Market testing. Selective outreach to a targeted group of strategic parties to gauge market reception, with no public process.
Succession planning. Objective guidance on ownership transition, management continuity, and deal structure.
Not sure which service
is right for you?

Start with a conversation. We will listen to where you are, share our perspective, and tell you what we think the right path is. No pressure, no obligation.

Speak With Us