Private Equity

Minerva Valuations

Private Equity Advisory

We work with smaller private equity groups, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and wealthy families to help them source, evaluate, and transition investments. Our team brings expertise in M&A advisory, business valuations, and debt capital raises, supported by deep experience in governance, strategy, legal, finance, and operations.

Deal Sourcing & Evaluation

We leverage a broad network of entrepreneurs, family businesses, and capital markets professionals to identify proprietary deal flow. Our team conducts rigorous due diligence — financial, operational, and strategic — to ensure every opportunity is evaluated through a disciplined lens before capital is committed.

M&A & Transaction Advisory

From acquisition to exit, we guide clients through every stage of the transaction lifecycle. We structure deals that protect legacy, employees, and reputation while unlocking long-term value — whether through fast closings, patient capital partnerships, or recapitalizations tailored to client objectives.

Family & Institutional Wealth

Our services are designed to preserve and grow wealth across generations. We create tax-efficient vehicles for joint ventures and family investment platforms, and draw on the operational knowledge of families and firms that have successfully built and sustained businesses for over a century.

We offer transaction support from end-to-end: fast closings where required, structured partnerships for patient capital, and the creation of tax-efficient vehicles for joint ventures or family investment platforms. With a network that spans entrepreneurs, family businesses, and capital markets professionals, we provide clients with direct access to opportunities and insights across industries.

4 Ways to Buy a Business

4 Ways to Buy a Business

  • Self-Funded Search – Personal funding, $500K–$10M businesses, 60–100% ownership, role as Owner-Operator.
  • Traditional Search – Investor-backed, $10M+ targets, 5–20% ownership, board control, exit in 5–7 years, role as CEO.
  • Independent Sponsor – Self-funded with outside investors, $10M+ deals, 5–20% ownership, multiple deals, role as Chairman/President.
  • Operating Partner – Investor-sponsored, flexible size, 0–5% ownership, no debt guarantee, role as CEO.
EBITDA Zones

EBITDA Zones – At a Glance

  • <$2M – 3–5x multiple, founder-led, SBA + seller financing, seller exits, sales-driven.
  • $2–5M – 4–6x+, small funds/independent sponsors, founder + lieutenants, regional bank debt + equity, seller stays involved, ops-driven.
  • $5–10M – 5–8x, PE funds, built-out teams, SBICs/mezz financing, seller strategic, M&A-driven.
  • $10M+ – 6–10x, established PE funds, multi-layered C-suite, banks/credit funds w/ leverage, seller rarely retained, balance-sheet driven.

Locations