Detroit's M&A market is active in 2026. These 14 advisors - from local boutiques to national middle-market banks - handle automotive, industrial, and healthcare deals across southeast Michigan.
What Detroit M&A advisors cover
Detroit advisors span the full deal lifecycle, from pre-sale preparation through close. Most firms cover both sell-side and buy-side mandates.
The region's industrial base shapes advisor specialization. Automotive supply chain, manufacturing, and aerospace are the dominant sectors for most Detroit-area boutiques.
Healthcare services has grown sharply as a second pillar. Behavioral health, specialty clinics, and vision care have driven deal volume since 2023.
Many sellers use Ellty's virtual data room to organize financials before engaging an advisor. Having clean documents ready shortens the engagement-to-close timeline.
| Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln International | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Automotive, Industrials, Technology | lincolninternational.com |
| Brown Gibbons Lang | Both | $25M-$500M | Healthcare, Industrials, Consumer | bglco.com |
| PMCF Investment Banking | Both | $10M-$250M | Plastics, Industrials, Technology, Healthcare | pmcf.com |
| Donnelly Penman & Partners | Both | $10M-$500M | Automotive, Financial Institutions | donnellypenman.com |
| Greenwich Capital Group | Both | $10M-$250M | Automotive, Industrials, Aerospace | greenwichgp.com |
| Cascade Partners | Both | $10M-$200M | Healthcare, Industrials, Business Services | cascade-partners.com |
| FINNEA Group | Both | $10M-$150M | Industrials, Technology, Healthcare | finneagroup.com |
| Blue River Financial Group | Both | $5M-$100M | Healthcare, IT, Automotive, Aerospace | goblueriver.com |
| Huron Capital Partners | Buy-side | $10M-$150M | Specialty Services, Business Services | huroncapital.com |
| Conway MacKenzie (Riveron) | Both | $10M-$500M | Automotive, Aerospace, Healthcare | riveron.com |
| UHY Advisors Corporate Finance | Both | $5M-$250M | All sectors - southeast Michigan focus | uhy-us.com |
| REAG Advisory | Both | $2M-$50M | Lower middle market - all sectors | reag.com |
| Angle Advisors | Both | $10M-$200M | Industrials, Business Services, Healthcare | angleadvisors.com |
| Dykema Gossett | Both | $5M-$1B+ | Automotive, Industrial, Technology | dykema.com |
Vetting a Detroit advisor
Choosing the right advisor starts with sector fit. A firm that closes automotive deals regularly knows the buyer pool and can compress your timeline.
Deal size alignment matters equally. Ask each firm to name three closed deals in your revenue range - not just their overall track record.
Team continuity is often overlooked. Confirm the senior banker who pitches you will manage the process, not hand it to a junior associate.
Review sell-side process quality before signing. Read how sell-side due diligence works to know what questions to ask each firm.
Prep your Detroit M&A data room
Share your financials and CIM with your Detroit advisor securely.
Start free 14-day trialThe Detroit M&A deal timeline
Most Detroit deals run six to nine months from first advisor meeting to close. Having documents ready before engagement compresses every stage.
| What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Advisor audits your business and financials | 3 years of P&L, balance sheets, and tax returns |
| 2. Marketing | CIM distributed to qualified buyers | Signed NDA list, management presentation |
| 3. Indications of interest | Buyers submit non-binding offers | Preliminary term comparisons, advisor guidance |
| 4. Due diligence | Winning buyer reviews all documents in depth | Organized virtual data room with full document set |
| 5. Negotiation | Final terms, reps and warranties, escrow | Legal counsel, QoE report, working capital peg |
| 6. Close | Signatures, wire transfers, transition planning | Board approvals, lender payoffs, transition docs |
14 top Detroit M&A advisors in 2026
The firms below are active in the Detroit market in 2026 with verified recent transactions.
1. Lincoln International
Lincoln International is the Midwest's leading non-bulge-bracket adviser for manufacturing and automotive deals, with 192 M&A professionals globally and 1,730+ completed transactions.
Recent Deals: Advised on the acquisition of NSi Industries by Hubbell (May 2026) and advised American Industrial Partners on the sale of Optimas International to Exponent (2025).
LinkedIn: Lincoln International on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Automotive and mobility technology, industrials, technology
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: Chicago, IL (primary Midwest hub serving Detroit market)
Website: lincolninternational.com
2. Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL)
BGL is a 30-year-old middle-market investment bank known across the Midwest for healthcare real estate, healthcare M&A, and industrial services transactions.
Recent Deals: Advised on the sale of Surgical Affiliates Management Group to A&M Capital Partners and the sale of Frontier Waste Solutions to GFL Environmental.
LinkedIn: Brown Gibbons Lang on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Healthcare, industrial services, consumer
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $25M-$500M
Location: Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH (serving Midwest/Detroit corridor)
Website: bglco.com
3. PMCF Investment Banking
PMCF is an affiliate of Plante Moran and has completed 300+ transactions since 1995, with deep roots in Detroit's plastics, packaging, and industrial manufacturing community.
Recent Deals: Advised The Anderson Group on a 2025 transaction; active across plastics, software, and business services mandates in southeast Michigan.
LinkedIn: PMCF Investment Banking on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Plastics and packaging, industrials, business services, software and technology, healthcare
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$250M
Location: Southfield, MI
Website: pmcf.com
4. Donnelly Penman & Partners
Donnelly Penman is Michigan's largest independent middle-market investment bank, with 340+ closed transactions and unique dual expertise in automotive/truck and financial institutions.
Recent Deals: Advised on the sale of Methode Electronics' dataMate business to Bel Fuse (2026) and the Zeal Credit Union acquisition of The Miners State Bank (2025).
LinkedIn: Donnelly Penman & Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Automotive and truck, commercial vehicles, aerospace and defense components, financial institutions
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$500M
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Website: donnellypenman.com
5. Greenwich Capital Group
Greenwich Capital Group is a Birmingham, MI boutique with 105 completed deals and a reputation for cross-border automotive and industrial transactions, including Managing Director Andrew Dickow named to Crain's Detroit Business 2025 Notable M&A Dealmakers list.
Recent Deals: Advised on the sale of Bay Cast Incorporated to Auxo Investment Partners (2025) and the acquisition of EnovaPremier LLC by James Group Inc. (2026).
LinkedIn: Greenwich Capital Group on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Automotive, automotive aftermarket, industrial manufacturing, aerospace and defense, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$250M
Location: Birmingham, MI
Website: greenwichgp.com
6. Cascade Partners
Cascade Partners is a Detroit-based middle-market firm known for healthcare M&A and restructuring work, with Ron Reed named ACG Investment Banker of the Year in March 2026.
Recent Deals: Advised on the sale of First Care Medical to Excelsia Injury Care (backed by Bain Capital, February 2025) - named Healthcare/Life Sciences Deal Finalist at M&A Advisor Awards and Cross Border Deal of the Year winner (June 2025).
LinkedIn: Cascade Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Healthcare (behavioral health, oncology, neurology, vision), industrials, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$200M
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: cascade-partners.com
Prep your Detroit M&A data room
Share your financials and CIM with your Detroit advisor securely.
Start free 14-day trial7. FINNEA Group
FINNEA Group is a Birmingham-based investment bank that pairs M&A advisory with operational improvement services, covering 83 completed deals across industrials, technology, and healthcare.
Recent Deals: Advised on the DWM Holdings recapitalization and the acquisition of Dream Giveaway by Jumbo Interactive (October 2025).
LinkedIn: FINNEA Group on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Industrials, technology, business services, healthcare, consumer
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$150M
Location: Birmingham, MI
Website: finneagroup.com
8. Blue River Financial Group
Blue River Financial Group is a Bloomfield Hills lower middle-market adviser with 45 active engagements as of Q1 2026 and broad sector coverage across healthcare, IT, automotive, and industrial services.
Recent Deals: Buy-side advisory for Solve Industrial Motion Group; sell-side advisory for Optimation Technology; sale of an ERP/MES implementation company to a PE-backed acquirer (May 2026).
LinkedIn: Blue River Financial Group on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Healthcare, IT and software, automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M-$100M
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Website: goblueriver.com
9. Huron Capital Partners
Huron Capital Partners is a Detroit-based private equity firm that builds companies through its ExecFactor platform, with $2B+ under management and 275+ acquisitions across specialty services since 1999.
Recent Deals: Launched Rampart Exterior Services platform and completed the acquisition of Colorado Moisture Control (January 2026); exited Pacific Shoring (January 2025).
LinkedIn: Huron Capital Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Specialty services (HVAC, exterior services, lawn care), business services, industrial services
Deal Type: Buy-side
Deal Size: $10M-$150M
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: huroncapital.com
10. Conway MacKenzie (Riveron)
Conway MacKenzie, now part of Riveron, is a Birmingham-founded firm with 30+ years in the Michigan market providing transaction advisory, M&A due diligence, and restructuring support for middle-market companies in distressed and complex situations.
Recent Deals: Facilitated 4 M&A deals as of November 2025; ongoing transaction advisory and due diligence across automotive, aerospace, and healthcare sectors.
LinkedIn: Conway MacKenzie on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$500M
Location: Birmingham, MI
Website: riveron.com
11. UHY Advisors Corporate Finance
UHY Advisors Corporate Finance is the investment banking arm of Michigan's fifth-largest accounting firm, with Managing Director Jeremy Falendysz completing 80+ transactions totaling $65B+ in enterprise value over his career.
Recent Deals: Active across southeast Michigan M&A market; William Kingsley leads the Detroit office with a focus on middle-market sell-side and buy-side mandates.
LinkedIn: UHY Advisors on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: All sectors - southeast Michigan focus including manufacturing and business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M-$250M
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: uhy-us.com
12. REAG Advisory
REAG Advisory is a Detroit-based lower middle-market investment bank that focuses on founder-owned business transitions, serving entrepreneurs and owner-operators across the greater Detroit area.
Recent Deals: Active in Detroit lower middle market across multiple sectors; specific deal terms not publicly disclosed per client confidentiality.
LinkedIn: REAG Advisory on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Lower middle market - all sectors, with emphasis on founder-owned businesses
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $2M-$50M
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: reag.com
13. Angle Advisors
Angle Advisors is a Detroit-headquartered firm with offices in Frankfurt and Shanghai, enabling cross-border deals on approximately 80% of its mandates, with 325+ completed transactions and a 92% sell-side success rate since 2009.
Recent Deals: Advised on a medical device manufacturer acquisition, an aluminum casting company acquisition, and a micromobility logistics acquisition with international buyer components.
LinkedIn: Angle Advisors on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Industrials, business services, residential services, transportation, consumer, healthcare
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$200M
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: angleadvisors.com
14. Dykema Gossett
Dykema Gossett is one of Michigan's most active M&A law firms, with an integrated Corporate Finance Practice Group that handles deal structuring alongside legal work for PE firms, venture capital, and strategic buyers across automotive and industrial sectors.
Recent Deals: Ongoing representation across automotive, industrial, and technology M&A in 2025-2026; publishes the widely cited annual Detroit M&A Outlook survey tracking Michigan deal sentiment.
LinkedIn: Dykema on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Automotive, industrial, technology, financial services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M-$1B+
Location: Detroit, MI
Website: dykema.com
How to find a Detroit M&A advisor
Start by mapping your sector to the firms most active in it. Automotive sellers have the most advisor options in Detroit.
Ask your CPA or attorney for referrals first. Southeast Michigan's professional services community is close-knit and referrals carry real weight.
Check ACG Detroit membership lists and Crain's Detroit Business dealmaker coverage for names that appear repeatedly in closed transactions.
Review the types of M&A structures before interviewing advisors so you can ask informed questions about deal structure options.
Sell-side vs buy-side in Detroit
Sell-side mandates in Detroit are dominated by founder exits in manufacturing, auto supply, and healthcare services. Most boutiques see 70%+ sell-side deal flow.
Buy-side work comes primarily from strategic acquirers and PE firms executing roll-up strategies. Huron Capital and Cascade Partners are active buy-side platforms.
Fee structures differ by mandate. Buy-side retainers are often higher because target searches are open-ended; sell-side success fees are larger as a percentage of deal value.
Understand the full M&A process timeline before choosing a mandate type - it affects how long you will work with your advisor and what documents you need.
Preparing for your advisor call
Gather three years of audited or reviewed financials before your first call. Advisors will assess your EBITDA and working capital profile immediately.
Prepare a one-page business summary with revenue trends, customer concentration, and any owner dependencies. This becomes the foundation for your CIM.
Use Ellty's secure file sharing to send documents safely to prospective advisors before signing an engagement letter. Avoid unprotected email attachments for sensitive financials.
Ellty's virtual data room lets you track which advisors open your documents and how long they spend on each file - useful signal before you commit to an engagement.
How Ellty helps you close a Detroit M&A deal
Your advisor shortlist is ready. Open a data room before your first call.
- 1.Upload your M&A documents to a secure roomAdd your financials, legal docs, and cap table now.
- 2.Set view and download rights for each partyControl who sees what across buyers and advisors.
- 3.See who reads what and follow up fasterTrack opens and page time to find serious buyers.
Common questions about Detroit M&A advisors
- Detroit M&A advisors cover automotive supply chain, industrial manufacturing, healthcare services, and technology. Many firms have dedicated sector teams - Donnelly Penman and Greenwich Capital Group for automotive, Cascade Partners and BGL for healthcare. Most handle deals from $10M to $500M.
- The average timeline from engagement to close in the Michigan market is approximately 79 days. Complex transactions involving cross-border elements or carve-outs can take 6-12 months. Sellers who arrive with organized data rooms and clean financials tend to compress the timeline.
- Most middle-market Detroit advisors charge a monthly retainer of $10,000-$25,000 plus a success fee at close, typically 1%-5% of transaction value using the Lehman Formula or Double Lehman. Lower middle-market specialists may charge higher percentage success fees of 3%-7%.
- For Michigan-headquartered businesses, a Detroit-area advisor offers knowledge of the local buyer and PE landscape plus sector expertise in automotive and industrial manufacturing. National firms like Lincoln International add value when your deal needs cross-border reach. Many sellers use a local boutique for preparation and a national firm for broader buyer marketing.
- Healthcare services led deal volume in 2025, followed by automotive aftermarket and automotive technology. Industrial services - particularly HVAC, exterior services, and specialty manufacturing - was highly active driven by private equity roll-up strategies. Technology and software also attracted strong buyer interest.
- Key criteria: sector expertise matching your business, deal size fit confirmed by closed transaction references, buyer network depth, team continuity (senior banker stays engaged through close), and track record in your sector. Always ask for three closed deal references in your revenue range before signing an engagement letter.
