Updated June 1st, 2025
Originally published April 5th, 2025
In the midwest, trust and timing often determine outcomes and the ability to connect with credible partners and qualified deals is more important than ever. Whether you’re part of a private equity firm, advising a client, or preparing your next acquisition, the MBBI network is where serious connections happen. Our community is more than a directory, it’s a trusted environment where deals take shape and strategies sharpen.
Table of Contents:
Each section below explores how MBBI supports every step of the deal lifecycle from first conversations to final terms.
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In the middle market, every successful transaction relies on more than numbers. It relies on the intermediaries who bridge the gap between buyer intent and seller priorities.
For sellers, especially closely held or family-owned businesses, representation means ensuring that more than valuation is considered. Protecting legacy, preserving teams, and safeguarding reputation are as critical as price. Experienced guidance helps owners position their companies with clarity, confidentiality, and credibility, making sure cultural fit and continuity are part of the conversation.
Buyers, from private equity to small family offices, depend on prepared, qualified opportunities. Strong preparation brings reliable records, realistic expectations, and clearly defined transition plans into the room. This reduces friction, accelerates due diligence, and sets up smoother transactions.
The MBBI network connects dealmakers to an active base of investors, lenders, and advisors across the Midwest. In practice, this means sellers gain sharper representation, buyers gain better aligned opportunities, and deals move forward with confidence.
One of the primary reasons deal professionals turn to MBBI is to gain access to deals and partners that they might not find elsewhere. Executives and advisors leading transactions in the Midwest seek strategic partnerships and consistent access to off-market opportunities.
MBBI’s member network acts as a trusted marketplace for middle-market businesses, connecting business brokers who represent sellers with PE firms and other investors looking for acquisitions. Members can forge relationships with fellow dealmakers and service providers (attorneys, lenders, insurers, etc.) who understand the local market. This peer network not only uncovers more acquisition targets and buyer capital but also accelerates deal-making by ensuring that opportunities are vetted and partners are reliable.
Private equity fund managers involved with MBBI are actively allocating capital across sectors. Many focus on platform investments (larger initial acquisitions) with subsequent bolt-on acquisitions (add-ons) and succession-based deals that fit their long-term portfolio goals. By participating in MBBI events, investors can articulate their acquisition criteria and quickly find matches. Business brokers can benefit from tapping into a ready pool of buyers who are financially capable and strategically motivated. This targeted matchmaking means faster, more efficient closings and often better valuations for sellers, since multiple interested parties can create a competitive bidding environment.
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Business owners preparing for an exit, and investors searching for quality acquisitions, share a need for trusted guidance.
Listing a business goes beyond simple form submissions. It requires proper valuation, documentation, confidentiality management, and alignment with the right buyer pool. Proper documentation should include details about the company’s intellectual property and other corporate assets, as these are key considerations for buyers. Buyers, meanwhile, need access to real opportunities that are properly represented and fit their investment thesis. Buyers are often seeking a target company or target business that aligns with their strategic goals.
MBBI’s network connects both sides through active channels and events that encourage meaningful dialogue. Whether your interest lies in industrial services, healthcare, manufacturing, or technology, there are members with direct relationships and localized insight. Understanding the companies involved and the role of the other company in the transaction is essential for a successful deal.
Investors engaging through MBBI include individual buyers, family offices, and accredited investors seeking private equity investments outside of public markets. The ability to access businesses for sale and explore transactions aligned with strategic goals is a central value of membership. The buyer purchases the acquired company to add it as a portfolio company within their investment portfolio.
For many Midwest family businesses, transitions happen quietly, only becoming public once the deal is done. Whether it’s a third-generation construction company or a regional mechanic group with deep community roots, these businesses carry more than just numbers on a balance sheet. They hold history, relationships, and identity. For families starting to think about what comes next, the process doesn’t have to be rushed or public. It can start with quiet learning, private conversations, and the space to consider the best move with the right timing and trusted expertise.
As a member, you can gain access to platforms, insights, and relationships that support both buy-side and sell-side transactions. From sourcing to integration, these tools give dealmakers the clarity, speed, and connections needed to support portfolio growth at every stage.
These tools do more than support the transaction. They enhance preparation, improve communication, and reduce risk. Members can leverage them during pre-deal assessments, financial modeling, documentation review, and post-close transitions.
Resources also include introductions to operational experts, succession planners, and advisors who help businesses stabilize and scale after acquisition. MBBI creates the environment for thorough preparation and confident execution. Whether listing a company, preparing documentation, or conducting review, these tools help M&A professionals move with speed and precision.
Regional strength is more than geography. In the Midwest, businesses are built on trust, reputation, and shared values. MBBI members operate with proximity and familiarity. Many deals are the result of in-person connections, warm intros, or years of reputation-building.
This matters in middle market transactions, where founder-led companies and family-owned businesses are transitioning leadership. These are not faceless entities. They carry legacy, community roots, and leadership vision. Proximity allows for deeper understanding and better alignment between parties.
Events held regularly across our state chapters create consistent opportunities to deepen relationships, uncover new deals, and grow networks with purpose. Signature gatherings like the Annual Golf Outing in August, Minnesota’s Manufacturing M&A in September, Wisconsin’s Private Equity Connection in December, and Chicago’s Annual Conference in January draw experienced dealmakers from every corner of the region.
More informal connections happen throughout the year, from Rising Star networking nights and boat outings to peer-led sessions on valuation, lending, succession, and private equity trends. These moments reflect what matters most in Midwest M&A: showing up, staying involved, and growing together.
Access to Midwest-specific events, peer groups, and referral networks keeps members in the loop. They uncover deals early, understand local market dynamics, and move with less friction. When relationships come first, the results tend to follow.
MBBI members are involved in hundreds of successful mid-market transactions across the Midwest. Every member brings their own experience. Some have even made connections at events to close their first acquisition. Others rely on the network to source repeat opportunities and grow their firm’s reach. The common thread is traction. One stakeholder shared that “their dues are offset 10x because of the deals they are able to make.”
Nearly 90% of members have referred or received a referral through MBBI, and 91% say they’re likely to renew. As one member put it, “Some of my best referral sources are through MBBI; we’re trying to achieve the same goal, not compete.”
For many, the value lies in the ability to learn and connect. One advisor noted, “Networking and educational opportunities are a key part of my business development strategy in the Midwest.” Another shared, “Learning and connecting with other professionals is critical to my business. Also, having access to certain information is very valuable.” MBBI is seen as a place that promotes trusted advisor relationships, where professionals understand how to better help one another and move deals forward.
Sponsors maintain long-term relationships because they see measurable returns. Over 80% renew to stay in front of active dealmakers across the region. Their visibility spans newsletters, webinars, directories, and live events that consistently engage decision-makers.
Trust isn’t a checkbox. It’s built transaction by transaction, conversation by conversation. MBBI offers a professional environment where brokers, investors, owners, and advisors operate with clarity and shared purpose.
MBBI reflects Midwestern values and long-standing relationships with a deep regional network in M&A. Members describe the network as a place for professional collaboration built on trust, credibility, and shared goals. Its scale is intentional. Large enough to access opportunity and small enough to stay personal.
Whether you’re listing your business, evaluating an acquisition, supporting a client, or sponsoring future dealmakers, the MBBI network provides the structure to move forward.
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