The State of Mission-Driven M&A in 2026: The Top 10 Trends Reshaping the Market
Mission driven M&A has entered a new era. Off market deal flow is now the preferred lane. Employee ownership models are scaling. Impact investors are moving upstream. And aligned consolidators are starting to outperform traditional private equity. Here are the top ten trends that will define 2026.
The 2026 Founder’s Playbook: How to Prepare Your Business for a Values-Aligned Exit
2026 is the year of intentional exits. Here’s how founders can prepare their business for a values-aligned transition, from culture and financial clarity, to confidentiality and the buyers reshaping M&A.
Off-Market, On-Mission: What to Know About M&A Heading Into 2026
The future of M&A is quiet, intentional, and deeply values-driven. As we head into 2026, off-market conversations, employee ownership, impact investors, and trust-based sourcing are reshaping how founders choose their successors.
Scaling with Soul: How Impact Investors Are Rewriting the M&A Playbook
A new class of impact investors is using M&A to expand employee ownership, preserve legacy businesses, and build community wealth. This is the next era of acquisitions. It’s scaling with soul.
Finding the Right Buy-Side Partner: Why Values-Aligned Sourcing Outperforms Traditional Deal Flow
The best deals aren’t found in a spreadsheet. They’re sparked through trust. Values-aligned buy-side sourcing is outperforming traditional deal flow, and founders are choosing alignment over volume. Here’s why the fit-first approach wins.
Why Values-Based M&A Is the Future of Ethical Business Growth
The old strip-and-flip playbook is dying. The Silver Tsunami is here, women ETA buyers are surging, and employee ownership has cash to deploy. Values-based M&A isn’t a niche anymore. It’s the future.
How Mission-Driven Buyers Structure IRR to Build Regenerative Wealth for All Stakeholders
When done intentionally, M&A can be a force for good — a way to preserve founder legacies, scale impact, and create wealth that regenerates instead of extracts. In this post, we break down how mission-driven investors structure IRR to align profit with purpose and build regenerative wealth for all stakeholders.
So You Want to Sell Your Business?
Not every buyer is a steward. Some are flippers in disguise. Learn how IRR reveals a buyer’s true intent—and the questions every founder should ask before signing the dotted line.
That Ben & Jerry’s Resignation Letter
Jerry Greenfield’s resignation letter reads like a eulogy. A heartbreak, a warning, and a call to reflect on what our companies are truly worth when profit collides with purpose.
Preparing Your Business for Sale
Thinking about selling your business? Don’t wait until the last minute to get your house in order. From clean books to strategic operations, here’s how to protect your mission, your people, and your valuation before you exit.
Private Equity 101: What It Is, Why It's Everywhere, and How Founders Can FIGHT Back and Protect Each Other
Private equity is reshaping the economy and most people don’t even realize it. From hospitals to housing to your 401(k), this post breaks down what PE really is, how it got so powerful, and what that means for mission-driven business.
tHE NEWCOMER’S GUIDE TO M&A, PART 6
In mission-driven M&A, integration is where your vision either becomes reality or unravels. This post dives into the human side of integration: the systems, rituals, and communication that turn shared values into real momentum. Learn how to lead with intention, build trust from the start, and make your acquisition stick in all the right ways.
This final post marks the finish line of our Newcomer’s Guide to M&A. Celebrating the full arc from first steps to a mission-aligned close and integration.
The Newcomer’s Guide to M&A, Part 5
The deal’s not done until it’s really done. In Post 5 of The Newcomer’s Guide to M&A, we walk through the final legal gauntlet: what’s in a closing package, why it matters, and how to avoid costly missteps. Whether you're buying your first business or your fifth, this is where small oversights can have outsized consequences. Let’s make sure you don’t sign something you’ll regret.
The Newcomer’s Guide to M&A, Part 4
Funding your deal doesn’t have to mean giving up control or getting buried in jargon. It’s really about choosing the kind of future you want to build. Part 4 of our Newcomer’s Guide to M&A breaks down the five most common ways to fund a small business acquisition—no finance degree required.
From SBA loans to seller notes to mixing it all together like a funding smoothie, this post helps you shape a deal structure that fits your values, risk tolerance, and long-term goals. Whether you're mission-driven, impact-curious, or just trying not to get lost in the fine print, we’ve got you.
The Newcomer's Guide to M&A, Part3
Thinking about buying a business but feeling intimidated by due diligence? This guide breaks it all down in a way that actually makes sense, no finance degree required. From building your checklist to spotting red flags without getting overwhelmed, Part 3 of our Newcomer’s Guide to M&A helps you stay curious, confident, and in control.
The Newcomer's Guide to M&A, Part 2
Off-market deals are where the best business acquisitions often hide, but finding them can feel like a full-time job. In this guide, we break down what “off-market” really means, why buyers love these opportunities, and how partnering with a sourcing expert can give you a powerful edge. If you're a purpose-driven buyer looking to stay focused while uncovering aligned companies, this one's for you.
The Newcomer’s Guide to M&a
Whether you’re a founder exploring growth through acquisition or a mission-driven entrepreneur eyeing your first deal, you’re in the right place. This is Post 1 of our new six-part series, The Newcomer’s Guide to M&A — your step-by-step roadmap to buying a business with confidence. We’re breaking down the process into clear, actionable posts designed to turn overwhelm into clarity and hesitation into momentum.
What Are the Best Ways to Finance an Acquisition as a Founder Who Cares About Impact?
Mission-driven entrepreneurs face unique challenges in securing funding. In our latest post, we explore how impact investors are stepping in to provide patient, mission-accelerating capital. Learn how these investors focus on long-term growth, social returns, and how you can access the funding you need to scale while staying true to your mission.
Is M&A Only for Sharks—Or Can Founders Like Me Actually Use It for Good?
The toughest part of an acquisition is finding the right partner. In this post, we dive into the unique challenges mission-driven businesses face during M&A and provide actionable strategies for aligning values, preserving culture, and securing the right fit. From navigating financial complexities to maintaining your mission’s integrity, this guide will empower you to approach your acquisition with confidence.
How Can My Small Business Compete in a Market Full of Mergers?
𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐩. 𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭?