Merv Capital Group | Buy-Side Deal Sourcing for Private Equity & Independent Buyers

What We Do

We find businesses before they go to market.

Most acquisitions never see a banker. The best opportunities surface through trust, local knowledge, and the right conversations, not auction processes. That is where we operate.

No. 01 Proprietary Deal Sourcing We identify and approach business owners who are open to a transition, growth capital, or partnership, before they have engaged a broker or gone to market.

No. 02 Relationship-Driven Introductions We make warm, credible introductions between motivated sellers and qualified buyers, building trust on both sides to set deals up for success.

No. 03 Acquirer Advisory For buyers building a consistent pipeline of qualified targets, we serve as an embedded sourcing partner across target geographies and sectors.

Our Process

From first conversation to closed deal.

I Target Identification We map acquisition targets in your focus geographies, screening for quality, fit, and owner receptivity before any outreach begins.

II Owner Outreach We initiate direct, relationship-driven conversations with business owners. No cold blast, no auction dynamic.

III Qualified Introduction When an owner expresses genuine interest, we make a warm introduction to the right buyer with full context on the opportunity.

IV Deal Support We stay close through early diligence to support rapport and momentum, giving both sides the best chance of reaching close.

Focus Areas

Where we source.

The businesses

Main Street & Lower Middle Market

Established, owner-operated businesses with $1M to $20M in annual revenue. Profitable, well-run operations where the owner is the key decision maker on any transition.

The profile

Recurring Revenue & Services

Businesses with loyal customer bases, repeat revenue, and durable competitive positions. The kinds of companies that perform well under new ownership.

The map

Wherever You're Growing

We source nationally, concentrating our outreach wherever our buyers' mandates point. Coverage follows the thesis, not the other way around.

For Business Owners

Curious what your business could be worth to the right buyer?

You do not have to be ready to sell. If you have ever wondered what a sale, partnership, or succession plan could look like someday, we are happy to have a quiet, no-pressure conversation. When the time is right, we introduce you to one serious, qualified buyer. Quietly, and on your terms.

Completely confidential, no obligation
No fees to you, ever
One serious buyer, not an auction or a listing
No pressure to decide anything today
You set the pace, from first call to close

Common Questions

Deal sourcing, explained.

What is buy-side deal sourcing?

Buy-side deal sourcing, also called deal origination, is the work of finding acquisition opportunities for a buyer before those businesses are publicly for sale. Merv Capital identifies established, owner-operated companies, builds relationships with their owners, and introduces them to one qualified buyer, typically a private equity firm, family office, search fund, or independent acquirer.

What does off-market mean?

An off-market business is one that has not been listed with a broker, marketed by an investment bank, or put through an auction process. Off-market opportunities are often the best acquisitions because the buyer negotiates directly with the owner, without competing bids driving up price and without process fatigue on either side.

What size businesses does Merv Capital source?

We focus on the lower middle market and Main Street segment: established businesses with roughly $1M to $20M in annual revenue, healthy profitability, and an owner who is open to a sale, succession, or partnership conversation.

How does Merv Capital get paid?

We are compensated by buyers through a success fee that is due only when a transaction closes with a business we introduced. Business owners never pay us anything at any point.

Is Merv Capital a business broker?

We operate as a buy-side sourcing firm: we work for buyers, we do not list businesses for sale, run auctions, or represent sellers. We comply with applicable registration requirements for our services in the states where we operate.

Get in Touch

Buying, or considering a transition?

We work with a small number of buyers and connect with business owners selectively. Tell us a bit about your situation and we will respond within one business day.

contact@mervcapital.com

Based In

Chicago, Illinois (working nationally)

Response Time

Within one business day