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Griffins are ETA's Unicorns: Why Search is a Hits Business

Griffins are ETA's Unicorns: Why Search is a Hits Business

Are search fund investors really getting the 4.5x MOIC promised by the famous Stanford study? A new Yale paper analyzed actual investor data and found the real-world return is only 2.5x. The difference comes down to one thing: "griffins."

Image: The ROI of True Transaction Readiness

From the Buyer's Desk: The ROI of True Transaction Readiness

After looking at nearly 300 potential acquisitions, I’m convinced the deals that fail usually don't fail because the business is bad. They fail because the business is illegible.

Forget 90 Days. You Have 100 Hours.

Quick Win Featured

Forget 90 Days. You Have 100 Hours.

The Recruiter's Litmus Test for Finding a Contract Financial Analyst Who Can Add Value on Day One

Image - I've Seen This Movie Before-The Twin Illusions That Will End the AI Gold Rush

I've Seen This Movie Before: The Twin Illusions That Will End the AI Gold Rush

After three decades analyzing market cycles, today's AI boom feels like déjà vu. It's a gold rush fueled by two illusions—platform and data dependency. This is the pattern I've seen play out right before every bust.

Image - The Twin Illusions of the AI Boom: A Research Report on Platform and Data Dependency

The Twin Illusions of the AI Boom: A Research Report on Platform and Data Dependency

The AI gold rush is built on a precarious foundation. This report reveals the fatal flaws of platform and data dependency that will trigger the next major market correction. Read it before you invest.

Your Business's GPS: A 3-Minute Intro to FP&A

In analyzing nearly 300 Canadian businesses for sale and working on nine post-merger integrations at IBM Analytics, I’ve seen a common blind spot. Leaders are experts on where their company has been, but they often fly blind into the future. They have a historian meticulously recording the past, but

Piloting a small aircraft through thick fog is the daily reality for a business owner in the lower middle market.

OperatorsEdge Featured

Finding Your Operator's Edge: How to Navigate the Lower Middle Market and Land a Premium Exit

Imagine you're piloting a small aircraft through thick fog. You have no instruments, no co-pilot, and your destination is a place you've never been. To make matters worse, you're building the plane as you fly it. This is the daily reality for a business

The Mirage of "Dry Powder" in Lower Middle Market Buyouts

PrivateEquity Featured

The Mirage of "Dry Powder" in Lower Middle Market Buyouts

In conversations with dozens of business owners over the last three years, one phrase comes up constantly: "There is a record amount of private equity dry powder looking for a home." While technically true, this statement is a dangerous mirage for sellers and owners of lower middle market

Backer North Investments at the 7th McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference (#MWISC24)

Backer North at the 7th McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference (#MWISC24)

Email info@backernorth.com to join our exclusive in-person presentation for investors in Dallas, TX, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Backer North Investments Strengthens the Advisory Team

Backer North Investments Strengthens the Advisory Team

George Stefanovic, CFA, a mid-market private equity and financial risk management veteran, joined Backer North's advisory team.

Backer North Investments at American Water Works Association's (AWWA's) 2024 Annual Conference & Expo (ACE24)

Backer North Investments at American Water Works Association's (AWWA's) 2024 Annual Conference & Expo (ACE24)

We are thrilled to announce our intention to attend the American Water Works Association's 2024 Annual Conference & Expo (ACE24) in Anaheim, California, June 10-13, 2024. As private equity investors with unique insights into the water sector, we actively seek to invest in companies that share our vision

Suvd Tserenkhuu, CFA, joins Backer North Investments

Suvd Tserenkhuu, CFA, joins Backer North Investments

Backer North Investments is thrilled to welcome Suvd Tserenkhuu, CFA, to our team as a new analyst. This addition reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our capabilities and enhancing our focus on acquiring mid-market businesses in Canada. About Suvd Tserenkhuu Suvd Tserenkhuu is a seasoned professional with over nine years

Backer North Investments Adds Depth to the Operating Partner Team

Backer North Investments Adds Depth to the Operating Partner Team

Mr. Vidovic, CEO & Founder of Devamo Inc., joins Backer North Investments as an Operating Partner and IT Sector Leader. This news follows last month's addition of five associates and analysts to the investment team. Mr. Vidovic is one of the most trusted IT partners to Canadian government

Five New Associates and Analysts Join Backer North Investments Team

Five New Associates and Analysts Join Backer North Investments Team

Backer North Investments is excited to announce the expansion of our investment management team with five new associates and analysts. This growth enables us to intensify our focus on acquiring at least four Canadian mid-market businesses in 2024-25. Our enhanced team is a blend of diverse and dynamic professionals, each

Backer North at the 10th Annual Search Funds in Canada Event by Stikeman Elliott

Backer North at the 10th Annual Search Funds in Canada Event by Stikeman Elliott

While Backer North is not a Search Fund, we're delighted to attend this event promoting entrepreneurship in Canada. We look forward to meeting the event participants at Stikeman Elliott's event venue in Toronto on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Click on the button below to book an

The 21st ACG Capital Connection and the 7th DealSource North Conference

Backer North at the 21st ACG Capital Connection and the 7th DealSource North Conference

We will attend the 21st ACG Capital Connection and the 7th DealSource North Conference, hosted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 13-14, 2023.

Backer North at the GF Data's Mid-Market M&A Seminar

Backer North at the GF Data's Mid-Market M&A Seminar

We look forward to attending GF Data's Mid-Market M&A Seminar and research update, hosted at the Cassels office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 13, 2023. It's been almost two months since GF Data's 2Q23 press release reported on the challenges facing

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters 2023 Annual Conference

Backer North at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters 2023 Annual General Meeting and Manufacturing Conference

We will attend the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CM&E) 2023 Annual General Meeting and Manufacturing Conference, hosted in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on November 6-8, 2023.

The 6th McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference

Backer North at the 6th McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference

We will attend the 6th McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference, hosted in Dallas, Texas, USA, on October 3-4, 2023.

ACG 2nd Annual Atlantic Network Conference 2023

Backer North at the 2nd ACG Atlantic Network Conference

We will attend the 2nd ACG Atlantic Network Conference, hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on September 27-28, 2023.