Canada’s 2026 Lower Middle Market M&A Outlook: What Business Owners Need to Know Before Selling
The Canadian lower middle market is entering 2026 with steady buyer demand, disciplined valuations, and real opportunity for owners who prepare early. While deal activity has moderated from pandemic-era highs, qualified buyers, particularly private equity groups, family offices, and well-capitalized individuals—remain active. For clarity, when we refer to the lower middle market, we mean businesses […]
What Buyers Are Looking for in 2026: Trends That Could Boost Your Sale Price
If selling your business is on the horizon, 2026 may be one of the most opportunity-filled years we’ve seen in quite some time. Buyer activity is strong, capital is available, and strategic acquirers are hungry for well-run companies that check the right boxes. The good news? Most of the trends driving higher valuations are controllable—and […]
Year-End Isn’t Just About Closing the Books
As year-end approaches, most business owners shift their focus to financial reviews, inventory counts, and final reconciliations. It is the annual push to wrap things up neatly for accountants and tax planners. But the most successful owners know something others miss: Year-end is not just about closing the books; it is about preparing the business […]
When Insiders Step Up: Why Management Buyouts Create Some of the Best Transitions in Business
Every so often, you come across a succession plan that just fits. One of the most rewarding, in my experience, is a management buyout — whether it’s a full leadership team stepping up or one key individual who has effectively been running the business already. When the alignment is there, these transitions feel natural, smooth, […]
Understanding the Value of an Opinion of Value
Every business owner wonders it at some point — usually after a strong quarter, a new opportunity, or a late-night conversation about “what’s next.” What’s my business actually worth? It’s a simple question — but the answer isn’t always straightforward. That’s where an Opinion of Value (OOV) comes in. What Is an Opinion of Value? […]
Why September is the Right Time to Prepare for a Business Sale
As summer winds down and the pace of business life picks up, many owners shift from a mid-year rhythm into a sharper, forward-looking mindset. September is often seen as a “reset month” — the moment when strategy, focus, and execution come back into alignment. For some business leaders, this means re-engaging with growth. For others, […]
Rethinking Capital: How Business Owners Are Funding Growth in Uncertain Times
In today’s tightening credit environment, traditional lending is becoming harder to access. As a result, many business owners are turning to more strategic and flexible ways to source capital. Whether the goal is scaling operations, upgrading infrastructure, expanding internationally, or preparing for a future exit, the capital is still available—you just need to know where […]
Helping Trusted Advisors Help Their Clients Sell Successfully
If you’ve ever walked alongside a business owner during the sale of their company, you know—this isn’t just a transaction. It’s emotional. It’s deeply personal. And it’s often the biggest financial moment of their life. As trusted advisors—accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, wealth planners—you’re typically the first to hear the early “what if” questions. You’re there […]
What Private Equity Groups Are Looking for in Canada Right Now
At Portage, we talk to buyers — a lot. Every week, we’re in conversation with private equity groups, family offices, and strategic acquirers who are looking for their next opportunity in the Canadian market. If you’re working with business owners in your network — especially those nearing retirement or succession — it’s worth knowing which […]
Tariff-Resilient Businesses: Why They’re Attracting Premium Valuations in Today’s M&A Market
In recent months, tariffs between Canada and the United States have dominated economic headlines, sparking significant uncertainty for many businesses. While industries highly dependent on cross-border trade are facing disruptions, there’s a notable segment of lower-middle-market businesses flourishing amidst this volatility: those demonstrating tariff resilience. What Makes a Business Tariff-Resilient? Tariff-resilient businesses typically share a […]