Schneider Downs Capital

Value Advisors for the Middle Market

A premier, full-service, value growth and investment banking practice serving middle market companies.

Forged from the combined experience of former owners and operators, seasoned investment bankers and senior executives, the SD Capital team provides a unique perspective on value creation and company sales. We are trusted advisors who assist business owners in creating and maximizing business value through strategic evaluation and execution of multiple pathways for downstream sales and monetization.

With decades of collective experience and 100+ transactions, we are uniquely positioned to help owners navigate the complex journey of selling their company. We understand this is a life-changing event and are committed to providing guidance tailored to your goals.

Value Advisory

We have extensive experience collaborating with companies as strategic and operating partners to develop and execute inorganic growth by identifying and addressing business challenges to unlock significant value before initiating a sale process. Leveraging top-tier investment banking capabilities, we implement powerful strategies to enhance value pre-transaction.

Investment Banking

For owners who are ready to pursue a transaction immediately, we offer a comprehensive range of investment banking resources and expertise. This includes a best-in-class process and various sell-side options, such as control sales, recapitalizations, buy-outs, carve-outs, and ESOPs.

If you want to discuss what’s next for your company, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

The Value Advisory Process

Using our three-phase approach, our clients routinely create maximum value and achieve exit multiples well beyond industry norms.

SD Capital Creation Progress
Baseline Readiness Assessment

Our baseline readiness assessment is performed through the lens of a buyer, identifying those areas most likely to result in discounting and a reduction of purchase price in a transaction. It also consists of identifying upside opportunities for value enhancement, such as repositioning a product or service offering as a recurring versus project-based revenue stream.

Utilizing workshops, interviews, and data analysis, we identify opportunities for enhancing company value. Our team comprises subject matter experts across multiple disciplines including estate and wealth management, tax , etc., to comprehensively assess all potential impacts on a potential future event.

Each of the value gaps or value creation opportunities identified as part of the Phase I assessment process are ranked based on impact, timing, and cost (level of effort). A targeted plan to address each gap and value creation activity is identified as are key performance indicators to track and monitor progress. Significant progress can be made in a little as 6 months, but the time frame to create measurable improvement is often 12 – 18 months.

In the value realization phase, we capitalize on the improvements identified and addressed in phases I and II, harnessing SD Capital’s collective investment banking expertise to guide business owners through a monetization or liquidity event. The intimate knowledge of our client’s business gained during the first two phases provides unparalleled insight to successfully represent and position the Company to achieve its owner’s desired outcome.

Investment Banking

We provide comprehensive sale advisory services, ensuring sellers achieve maximum value through an approach that efficiently connects them with a diverse pool of domestic and global buyers or investors, maximizes focus on business operations and minimizes deal-related distractions.

While price is crucial for sellers, the form of consideration, deal structure, and buyer compatibility are equally important factors in securing the right deal. We place special emphasis on a detailed analysis of the potential buyer/investor pool, which may allow for a more targeted and abbreviated auction process, if appropriate, but also identifies a comprehensive set to maximize reach and options for a seller. We play a pivotal role in driving the process toward an optimal outcome by offering the following services:

  • Leadership and management of the transaction process.
  • Primary contact and interaction with buyers and investors.
  • Real-time market intelligence and comprehensive valuation guidance.
  • Facilitation of buyer and investor due diligence.
    • Identification of a comprehensive pool of potential buyers and/or investors.
    • Strategic advisory to develop a unique sale proposition, positioning the client for future growth.
    • Structuring and negotiation of transaction terms.
Sales, Divestitures, Leveraged Buyouts and Recapitalizations

We play a critical leadership role in sales process, providing comprehensive sale advisory services that generate maximum value for sellers. We combine a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and industries with a rigorous and disciplined process to execute efficiently and allow our clients to stay focused on running their businesses. We are experts in navigating the unique needs of mid-market companies, recognizing that a sale for many owners is not just a financial transaction, but a life event that impacts management, employees and family.

While price is crucial, the form of consideration, deal structure, and buyer compatibility are equally important factors in securing the right deal. We place special emphasis on a detailed analysis of the potential buyer/investor pool, which may allow for a more targeted and abbreviated auction process, if appropriate, but also identifies a comprehensive set to maximize reach and options for a seller.

Our team has extensive experience and success assisting clients in their pursuit of specific acquisition targets and in tailoring acquisition programs. We partner with you to develop criteria, identify and contact candidates, coordinate diligence and structure deal terms.

Who We Are

  • Owner-operators with successful exits.
  • Consultants and Executives to the private equity community.
  • Corporate C-suite, M&A and growth roles in acquisitive Fortune 100 companies.
  • Experts in commercial, GovCon and international business models.

  • Value creation experts that achieve upside exit multiples.
  • Investment banking professionals with expertise in a range of complex assignments.
  • Leaders across the full M&A continuum as buyers and sellers with 100’s of transactions.
  • Specialists in debt restructuring, turn-around, and special situations.

Why SD Capital?

Transaction and Hands-On Operating Expertise
Benefit from our firsthand experience as former owners who have built and sold companies and as transaction professionals who have dedicated our careers to advising owners of firms in transition.

Executive Insights and Industry Expertise
Tap into executive insights from our tenure as former C-Suite executives in Private Equity Portfolio Companies and transactions advisors across countless industries.

Integrated Practice with a Deep Specialty Knowledge
Access a deep talent pool of tax, wealth management, accounting, due diligence and valuation professionals through our relationship with Schneider Downs.

Best-in-Class Transaction Execution
With extensive experience in mid-market M&A and corporate finance, our team prioritizes seamless communication, relentless effort, and technical expertise to ensure optimal outcomes for our clients and closely held businesses.

Industry Experience

SD Capital Resources

About Schneider Downs

Schneider Downs is a Top 60 independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm providing accounting, tax, audit and business advisory services to public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations and global companies. We also offer Internal Audit; Technology Consulting; Software Solutions; Personal Financial Services; Retirement Plan Solutions and Corporate Finance Services. Schneider Downs is the 13th largest accounting firm in the Mid-Atlantic region and serves individuals and companies in Pennsylvania (PA), Ohio (OH), West Virginia (WV), New York (NY), Maryland (MD), and additional states in the United States with offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH and McLean, VA.

Schneider Downs Capital LLC is a subsidiary of Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.

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