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Axial The trusted online platform for small business M&A.

08/27/2026

AI can make a compelling case for almost any valuation. But a compelling argument isn’t the same thing as market evidence.

Max Friar of Calder Capital breaks down a growing dynamic in M&A: sellers using AI to justify a premium while buyers use the same tools to argue for a discount.

Both sides can walk away with an answer that validates exactly what they wanted to hear.

AI can be useful for challenging assumptions. But it can’t produce a willing buyer, a financeable structure, or a closed transaction.

At the end of the day, the market still gets the final word.

Full article in the comments.

08/13/2026

When is the right time to sell your business?

It’s rarely as simple as hitting a certain revenue number or waiting for the market to peak.

The right timing depends on a mix of business performance, market conditions, buyer appetite, and your own goals for what comes next.

This piece offers a practical framework for thinking through those factors — and recognizing when the window to sell may be open.

Full article in the comments.

07/01/2026

What do M&A advisors actually charge?

The answer depends on the deal, the client, the process — and about a dozen other variables.

That’s why Axial publishes its annual M&A Fee Guide, benchmarking how advisors structure fees, engagements, and client relationships across the lower middle market.

A few findings from this year's report:

📈 Lehman formulas remain the most common fee structure.
🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Engagement fees are the norm, not the exception.
⚖️ Valuation gaps continue to be the market's biggest headwind.
🤖 AI is beginning to influence conversations around advisory fees.

If you're planning a sale or simply want to understand how M&A advisors price their services, this report is a valuable resource.

Download the 2026 Axial M&A Fee Guide in the comments.

05/29/2026

His deal was days from closing. The price was strong, the buyer was ready — and then tariffs hit. The buyer walked, citing his reliance on a single supplier.

That's the story behind our latest owner conversation. He came back to the table with a clearer head: which risks needed addressing, which buyers to avoid, and how to position the business differently the next time around.

If you're thinking about selling and wondering whether a problem in your business might sink a deal — this is worth a read.

The short answer is that how you frame the risk matters as much as the risk itself.

Full interview in the comments.

05/14/2026

Getting an unsolicited offer for your business can feel flattering.

But in many cases, owners who engage too early — without preparation or a competitive process — end up leaving value on the table.

This piece breaks down what happens when a business owner goes from reacting to an inbound offer to running a structured sale process instead.

A useful read if you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I should take that call.”

Full article in the comments.

05/06/2026

What were some of the most notable deals of Q1?

Axial’s latest roundup highlights a range of transactions completed across various industries, including healthcare, business services, industrials and consumer goods.

The deals reflect something we continue to see across the market: quality companies are still attracting strong buyer interest, especially when they’re well-positioned and well-run.

It’s also a reminder of how broad the market really is — different industries, different buyer types, and different deal structures, all happening at the same time.

Worth a look if you want a snapshot of what’s getting done in today’s market.

Full list in the comments.

05/01/2026

Three founding partners spent 15 years building their business together. When they came to us, they didn't ask "how fast can we sell?" They asked something harder: "Can we actually walk away?"

They'd watched friends sign deals that looked great on paper, then spent the next two years working out of hotels for a new owner.

For them, a clean exit mattered just as much as the price tag.

Here's the conversation we had with them about timing, partner alignment, and how to find a buyer who lets you actually leave when the deal closes.



Full article in the comments.

04/23/2026

157 days to a 9x exit.

A full-service landscaping and property maintenance company went to market on Axial and 66 buyers lined up to compete for it.

The result for the owner: a 9x sale, with 93% paid in cash at closing and the rest tied to a one-year performance earnout.

A private equity fund signed the winning LOI 66 days after pursuing the deal, and successfully closed 91 days later.

When the right buyers see your business at the same time, you get leverage, and leverage turns into better terms, more cash up front, and a cleaner exit.

04/14/2026

What do small business exits actually look like right now?

This report anonymously breaks down 292 real, recently closed deals brought to market through Axial.

Deals span everything from HVAC and healthcare to manufacturing and software, with a wide range of revenue and buyer types, a reminder that there’s no single “profile” of a business that sells.

If you’re thinking about an exit, it’s a useful look at what’s actually getting done in today’s market.

Full report in the comments.

04/08/2026

📘The Axial Advisor 100 – 2026 Edition

How do you actually choose the right M&A advisor to sell your business?

Axial just released its 2026 Advisor 100, a list of the most highly regarded advisors in the lower middle market, based on direct feedback from buyers who work with them on real deals.

It’s not about who’s the biggest, it’s about who runs effective processes, brings strong opportunities to market, and consistently gets deals done.

If you’re thinking about selling, it’s a useful look at which advisors buyers trust most.

Full list in the comments.

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