M&A Advisory
Lower-middle-market sell-side and buy-side representation, including positioning, target identification, outreach, diligence, negotiation, and close.
Independent lower-middle-market investment bankingNewport Beach · Detroit · Global reach
Senior advisors for
consequential decisions.
IdeaTree advises founders, operators, investors, and corporate teams on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, corporate development, and strategic alternatives.
Start a confidential conversationIndependent by design
We are trusted by Fortune 1000 executives, founders, and investors. IdeaTree remains intentionally boutique: every engagement is senior-led.
TrustedBy Fortune 1000 executives, founders, and investors
25+ yearsAdvising on M&A, capital raising, and strategic transactions
20+ yearsOperating, growing, and exiting businesses
Senior-ledDirect access from strategy through close
Financial Advisory
Focused where the stakes are highest.
Capital Raising
Full-mandate debt and equity raises, from securing the lead investor through completing the round with aligned financial and strategic capital.
Strategic Alternatives
Objective counsel for lower-middle-market companies weighing a capital raise, sale, partnership, joint venture, earnout structure, or investor liquidity.
Corporate development support
Senior support across the corporate development lifecycle.
Senior, flexible support for internal corporate development and strategy teams, from pre-mandate analysis through transaction execution, including M&A, spinouts, CVC, and corporate strategy.
Sector focus
Knowledge that sharpens the process.
- Technology-Enabled Services01
- Consumer & Business Services02
- Transportation & Mobility03
- Consumer Electronics04
- Industrial & Manufacturing05
Who we work with
Built to lead.
Flexible enough to support.
Founders & Operators
Sell-side M&A, strategic alternatives, and capital raising for leaders navigating growth, liquidity, or an ownership transition.
Investors & Corporate Teams
Lead or augment mandates for VC, CVC, private equity firms, portfolio companies, and corporate teams that need added senior capacity, sector reach, or execution support. We also advise investors and management teams evaluating a capital raise versus a sale.
Senior team
Direct access.
Senior support.
Jeff brings 25 years of investment banking and corporate finance experience across M&A, capital markets, valuation, and board advisory. Before founding IdeaTree, he was a managing director at D.A. Davidson and held senior roles at Wunderlich and ROTH Capital Partners. He is a CFA charterholder and CPA.
Jake is a two-time founder whose companies, Livio and Tome, were acquired by Ford and Valtech. He brings an operator’s perspective to growth, positioning, and transaction strategy, and also serves as Technology Operating Partner at FM Capital and on the board of the Consumer Technology Association.
Private inquiry