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
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
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
Every so often, you come across a succession plan that just fits. One of the most rewarding, in my experience, is a management buyout —
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
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
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
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.
In today’s M&A landscape, uncertainty isn’t a red light—it’s a challenge that calls for sharper thinking. While interest rates remain high, geopolitical tensions linger, and
The New M&A Landscape We’re seeing a surge in buyers—but not in quality deals. That’s the new normal in today’s M&A market: more capital chasing
We’re officially halfway through 2025—a great time for business owners to hit pause and take stock. Whether you’re scaling up, maintaining steady growth, or starting
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
I often emphasize to clients that business valuation is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s deeply connected to the strategy of the business.
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
There’s a wave of optimism building across global M&A markets in 2025—and Canada is very much part of the momentum. As an M&A advisor working
I get a variety of questions from business owners, entrepreneurs, and other professionals seeking clarity on business valuation. Below, I’ve compiled answers to some of
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) present exciting opportunities for businesses looking to expand into new markets, gain competitive advantages, and enhance operational efficiencies. However, these
I often encounter business owners who are ready to scale their ventures but struggle to secure investor interest. One of the most effective ways to
As an M&A Advisor, I’ve had the privilege of guiding business owners through one of the most critical phases of their entrepreneurial journey: the sale
As a Chartered Business Valuator, I have been closely monitoring the recent developments surrounding Canada’s capital gains tax legislation. The federal government’s decision to defer
Selling your business is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. It’s a process filled with opportunities but also potential pitfalls. Having
When it comes to selling your business, understanding its value is crucial. One of the most common tools used in business valuation is the application
The recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve presents a pivotal moment for business owners considering an exit. A 0.5% reduction in rates may seem small, but its ripple effects are profound – especially here in Canada.
The recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve presents a pivotal moment for business owners considering an exit. A 0.5% reduction in rates may seem small, but its ripple effects are profound – especially here in Canada.
In M&A, an equity rollover, or recapitalization (recap), occurs when a business owner sells their company but chooses to reinvest, or “roll over,” a portion
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen was joined by Portage Partner and Head of Valuations, Ryan
A significant number of business owners do not know how much their business is worth. That can be a source of conflict in the face
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen was joined by Ed Lee, Investment Advisor at RBC, to
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen gets the inside scoop and buyer perspective from recent client
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Kevin Fernandes, Partner at KMB Law, discussed the critical
Making the decision to acquire a business can be a complicated process fraught with risk. Even when the financials look good and the potential rewards
In Episode 4 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Portage VP, Thomas Bevilacqua, get together to talk all about
A business valuation is a critical step in a management buyout (MBO) process, as it helps the management team understand the true worth of the
In Episode 3 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen chatted with longtime friend of the firm and former Portage client,
If you follow global M&A news, you may know that larger deals have seen a slowdown these last six months, as rising interest rates and
When it comes time to sell your business, the right M&A firm can make all the difference. From running a well-organized process, to generating multiple
If you’re thinking of selling your business in the next 3-5 years, you may want to consider possible risk drivers that could affect the purchase
Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen sat down with Wesley Haynes, Senior Investment Advisor RBC Wealth Management, Parekh-Haynes Group for the second installment of The
Lights, camera, action! Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen kicked off the inaugural episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast with special in-house guest, Portage Partner
When selling your business, you make a set of promises to the buyer. You “represent and warrant” certain facts about the business. Essentially, you’re certifying
So, you’re ready to sell your business. You have an M&A advisor helping you, your numbers are in order, and you’re feeling confident. But did
We’re selling a business in which a management team member holds a minority equity stake. This critical employee stands to get a small windfall in
Changes to the Income Tax Act have brought significant shifts in the taxation of small businesses, especially when it comes to intergenerational transfers. The new
Selling your business can be a profitable venture, but it also comes with the responsibility of capital gains tax (CGT). Calculating the correct amount of
Orchestrating an M&A deal involves several key steps, including valuation, documentation, buyer identification, negotiation, and due diligence. Here is a general outline of how to
Over 75% of small and medium-sized business owners in Canada are looking to sell their business over the next decade according to new research from
As a business owner, the value of your company is more than just a number. Yet, it is essential to understand that number to make
No matter how motivated the buyer and seller are, selling a business is always a challenge. There’s a lot that can go wrong, and deals
The interpersonal side of a negotiation refers to the way in which the individuals involved in the negotiation interact with each other. This can include
Tom West is considered by many to be the founder of modern-day business brokerage. A few years ago, he calculated what percent of businesses on
The M&A world isn’t quite sure what to expect in the next recession. Private equity players weren’t nearly as dominant through the last market downturns.
Approximately 20% of business owners are over the age of 65. Another 30% are between the ages of 55 and 64, according to estimates from
Approximately 20% of business owners are over the age of 65. Another 30% are between the ages of 55 and 64, according to estimates from
When selling your business, the M&A lawyer plays a crucial role throughout the negotiation and transaction process. They help you understand the complexities involved in
Business values increased in 2021 despite ongoing challenges from the pandemic, talent shortages, and supply chain disruption. Deal activity continued at an intense pace, with
For an optimal selling price, you’ll want to engage with an M&A firm 3-5 years prior to the sale of your business. An M&A firm
If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably had a rough couple of years – and the challenges aren’t over. While COVID-19 may be weakening its
Business owners take any number of perks from their business, from the more standard items like auto expenses, memberships, and insurance plans to extras like
As a valuation expert I often get asked, ‘should I overpay in order to close the deal?’ One of the main things I ask anyone
If you are a business owner, at some point you have likely asked yourself, “I wonder how much my business is worth.” Perhaps you’re considering
Some business owners worry that a niche will limit their opportunities and they’ll miss sales. But a niche can often be the key to growth.
Many business owners say selling their business feels like giving a child up for adoption. As it turns out, that’s not just a metaphor. Research shows entrepreneurs
Employees. Finding them. Keeping them. It’s on everyone’s mind right now. And for the company or person who buys your business, it just may be
“To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.” Those words of Doug Conant, business leader and former CEO of Campbell Soup
I recently came across Bo Burlingham, the former executive editor for Inc. magazine and author of several books, including Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top.
Business owners often come to us concerned about employee jobs and retention issues after a sale. They worry that selling their business will lead to
When selling your business, you may receive offers from three kinds of buyers: strategic, financial, and individual. Here’s a look at the most common buyers and
I don’t know of anyone whose business wasn’t affected, at some level, in 2020. Businesses were either on the COVID slump or the COVID bump.
During a business conference I attended a couple of years ago, the facilitator asked, “What is the biggest characteristic that contributes to future success?” Think
Over my career, I have witnessed business owners who spent more time planning for their children’s wedding, their 50th wedding anniversary, or even their fantasy
We’re just a few weeks into spring and that means it’s time for spring cleaning – both at home and at work. Putting in this
As a business owner, you have to evaluate the role you want in a transition as part of your overall evaluation of the suitors interested in your business.
Economically speaking, COVID-19 was a “natural disaster.” That’s according to Brian Beaulieu, CEO and chief economist of ITR economics. Beaulieu spoke at the virtual State of M&A conference
As you start thinking about selling your business, it is important to engage with someone who can coach you. There’s a lot of value you can create over the
The year 2020 was anything other than ordinary and customary. Deal volume was down, like in most recessions. But unlike other recessions, valuations held strong
One year ago, buyers were looking for talent. Every company we talked to was up against the same problem – there was so much opportunity
When it’s time to sell your business, you may have multiple buyers to choose from. You could receive offers from strategic, financial, and individual buyers.
As we continue to take companies to market during COVID, we’re asking new questions about business response plans and resilience. It’s been interesting to see
The M&A market does not usually respond well to times of uncertainty, such as election years. But in Q3 2020, in a time of uncertainty
When selling your business, you can expect to hit a couple of snags before the deal is complete. But proper planning can help you avoid
Business owners tend to think about selling when things aren’t as much fun as they used to be. Running a business in the COVID era
With all the upheaval in the world right now, you’d expect M&A deal value to take a dip. But recent market analysis shows that’s anything
Finding the right advisor when selling a business is paramount. Knowing their capabilities is the first step. When we originally began our journey, we put
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