13 M&A advisors active in Minneapolis in 2026. Covers manufacturing, healthcare, food, tech, and business services deals with firm profiles and recent transactions.
Minneapolis has a strong base of M&A advisors in 2026. Manufacturing, food, healthcare, and business services are driving most deal volume in the Twin Cities.
US M&A deal value finished 2025 up 43% to $4.7 trillion. Lower interest rates and record private equity capital are making 2026 unusually favorable for sellers.
The Twin Cities market has both local boutiques and national firms with on-the-ground presence. Finding the right match depends on your sector and deal size.
Set up your virtual data room before you start advisor conversations. Buyers expect organized materials from day one in this market.
| Firm | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quazar | Quazar | Both | $5M - $150M | Manufacturing, Construction, Business Services | quazarinc.com |
| Piper Sandler | Piper Sandler | Both | $50M - $5B+ | Healthcare, Financials, Technology, Consumer | pipersandler.com |
| TripleTree | TripleTree | Both | $25M - $1B | Healthcare IT, Health Services, Life Sciences | triple-tree.com |
| Aethlon Capital | Aethlon Capital | Both | $5M - $75M | Technology, Business Services, Healthcare | aethlon.com |
| Chartwell Financial Advisory | Chartwell Financial Advisory | Both | $10M - $200M | Manufacturing, ESOP, Business Services, Energy | chartwellfa.com |
| CLA Investment Banking | CLA Investment Banking | Both | $10M - $250M | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare, Professional Services | claconnect.com |
| True North Mergers & Acquisitions | True North Mergers & Acquisitions | Both | $10M - $250M | Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Business Services | tnma.com |
| Lingate Financial Group | Lingate Financial Group | Both | $5M - $50M | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Real Estate, Business Services | lingate.com |
| Kroll Capital | Kroll Capital | Both | $10M - $150M | Manufacturing, Distribution, Business Services, Aerospace | krollcapital.com |
| Freeland Briese | Freeland Briese | Both | $10M - $200M | Food & Beverage, Industrials, Manufacturing | freelandbriese.com |
| Lake Street Capital Markets | Lake Street Capital Markets | Both | $25M - $500M | Biotech, MedTech, Life Sciences, Technology | lakestreetcapitalmarkets.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $50M - $5B+ | Healthcare, Technology, Consumer, Industrials | hl.com |
| Lincoln International | Lincoln International | Both | $50M - $2B | Industrials, Technology, Consumer, PE-Backed | lincolninternational.com |
How to verify an advisor's track record
Ask for a named deal list filtered to your sector and deal size range. Manufacturing advisors and healthcare advisors operate in very different buyer pools.
Minneapolis M&A advisors who know the local market can name buyers, close dates, and multiples. Vague references to "successful transactions" tell you nothing useful.
Check whether the advisor has closed deals with both strategic and PE-backed buyers. Both exist in the Twin Cities market and move at different speeds.
Use Ellty to share your financials and CIM with shortlisted advisors under NDA. Track who opens files before your first call. See the broader mergers and acquisitions resource for how deal process standards differ by transaction type.
Running an M&A process in Minneapolis?
Set up your data room before your first advisor meeting.
Start free 14-day trialWhat an M&A deal looks like: 6 stages
Minneapolis deals typically run six to twelve months. Manufacturing and industrial deals often run longer due to environmental and equipment diligence.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Stage 1: Preparation | Run QoE, draft CIM, shortlist advisors | Three years P&L, customer concentration, key contracts |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Sign engagement letter, agree on buyer list | Cap table, IP docs, equipment list, key supplier contracts |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Stage 3: Marketing | CIM distributed, NDAs signed, management calls booked | Ellty data room live with CIM, financials, and operational data |
| Stage 4: LOI | Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, LOIs negotiated, exclusivity signed | Clean P&L, no disputed contracts, current insurance certs |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews financial, legal, and operational records | Full Ellty data room with all contracts, leases, and HR docs |
| Stage 6: Close | Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, escrow, funds transfer | Reps and warranties signed, transition agreements complete |
13 top M&A advisors in Minneapolis
These 13 firms advise on M&A deals serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. Coverage spans manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage, technology, and business services.
1. Quazar
A Minneapolis-based lower-middle-market investment bank with 100+ closed transactions since 1990.
- Recent Deals: Advised Pioneer Power on its $66.1M sale to Limbach Holdings (July 2025). Advised SET Environmental on sale (2025). Advised PHS West on sale (2025).
- LinkedIn: Quazar on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Manufacturing, construction, business services, real estate, industrials
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $5M - $150M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: quazarinc.com
2. Piper Sandler
Minneapolis-headquartered full-service investment bank with record 2026 revenues and 501+ total deals.
- Recent Deals: Reported record Q1 2026 revenues with 30% growth in corporate investment banking. Full year 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion grew over 20%. Acquired G Squared Capital Partners (government services, August 2025).
- LinkedIn: Piper Sandler on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Healthcare, financials, technology, consumer, energy, public finance
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $50M - $5B+
- Location: Minneapolis, MN and global
- Website: pipersandler.com
3. TripleTree
A healthcare-focused investment bank under Capital One with 275+ advisory transactions since 1997.
- Recent Deals: Advised on the acquisition of Edifecs by Cotiviti (February 2025). 168 total deals as of 2026 including 121 M&A transactions. Active in healthcare IT, health services, and life sciences.
- LinkedIn: TripleTree on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Healthcare IT, health services, life sciences, digital health
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $25M - $1B
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: triple-tree.com
4. Aethlon Capital
A privately held Minneapolis investment bank for middle-market deals with founder-owned businesses.
- Recent Deals: Advised ATEK Access Technologies on strategic transaction (2024). Active in technology, business services, and healthcare advisory through 2026. Firm founder noted 2026 setup is materially stronger than 2025.
- LinkedIn: Aethlon Capital on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Technology, business services, healthcare, distribution
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $5M - $75M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: aethlon.com
5. Chartwell Financial Advisory
A Minneapolis M&A and ESOP advisory firm with 83+ completed transactions since 1995.
- Recent Deals: Advised Oxygen Service Company on M&A transaction (2025). Acquired Atlantic Management Company to expand ESOP and valuation services. Active in manufacturing, energy, and business services through 2026.
- LinkedIn: Chartwell Financial Advisory on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Manufacturing, ESOP, business services, energy, professional services
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $10M - $200M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: chartwellfa.com
Selling a Minneapolis business in 2026?
Track which buyers open your financials before you sign an LOI.
Start free 14-day trial6. CLA Investment Banking
CLA Meridian Capital is the investment banking arm of CliftonLarsonAllen, a Minneapolis firm with 120+ offices.
- Recent Deals: Advised Sko-Die on strategic sale to Associated Spring (June 2025). Expanded team via Meridian Capital merger in April 2026. Active in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and professional services.
- LinkedIn: CLA on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, professional services, nonprofits
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $10M - $250M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN and national
- Website: claconnect.com
7. True North Mergers & Acquisitions
A Minneapolis advisory firm offering sell-side and buy-side services for lower-middle-market companies.
- Recent Deals: Advised Smead Manufacturing on its sale to TOPS Products (June 2025). Active in consumer products, manufacturing, and business services M&A through 2026.
- LinkedIn: True North M&A on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, business services
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $10M - $250M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: tnma.com
8. Lingate Financial Group
One of the oldest Minnesota M&A advisory firms, founded in 1945, focused on family-owned business transitions.
- Recent Deals: Active in business sale, recapitalization, and family transition advisory through 2025-2026. Advises owners with revenues from $5M to $50M on valuation, buyer marketing, and deal execution.
- LinkedIn: Lingate Financial Group on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Manufacturing, healthcare, real estate, business services, family-owned
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $5M - $50M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: lingate.com
9. Kroll Capital
An independent Minneapolis M&A advisor focused on highly engineered manufacturing and value-added distribution.
- Recent Deals: Advised Alter Domus Participations on strategic transaction (2024). Active in manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, and business services advisory through 2025-2026.
- LinkedIn: Kroll Capital on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Manufacturing, distribution, aerospace, agriculture, business services
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $10M - $150M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: krollcapital.com
10. Freeland Briese
A Minneapolis investment bank with 90+ years of combined experience, focused on food and industrial M&A.
- Recent Deals: Active in food and beverage and industrial M&A with 100+ completed engagements through 2025-2026. Covers food manufacturers, ingredient companies, and industrial businesses across the US.
- LinkedIn: Freeland Briese on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Food & beverage, ingredients, industrial manufacturing, distribution
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $10M - $200M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: freelandbriese.com
11. Lake Street Capital Markets
A Minneapolis investment bank focused on emerging growth companies in biotech, medtech, and technology.
- Recent Deals: Active in biotech and medtech M&A advisory through 2025-2026. 38 total deals including 14 M&A transactions. Advisory work with Velo3D and Adagio Medical in late 2025.
- LinkedIn: Lake Street Capital Markets on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Biotech, medtech, life sciences, technology, emerging growth
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $25M - $500M
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Website: lakestreetcapitalmarkets.com
12. Houlihan Lokey
The most active global M&A bank by deal count with a healthcare and industrials presence in Minneapolis.
- Recent Deals: Named No. 1 global M&A advisor by deal volume in multiple sectors in 2025. Active in healthcare, technology, and consumer M&A across the Midwest. Deep PE sponsor relationships in all major sectors.
- LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Healthcare, technology, consumer, industrials, financial services
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $50M - $5B+
- Location: Minneapolis, MN and global
- Website: hl.com
13. Lincoln International
A global mid-market investment bank with strong Midwest manufacturing and PE-backed deal flow.
- Recent Deals: Generated $214.1M net income in 2025, up 31%. Financial buyer activity rose 19% year-over-year in 2025. Active in industrial, technology, and PE-backed platform transactions through 2026.
- LinkedIn: Lincoln International on LinkedIn
- Sector Focus: Industrials, technology, consumer, PE-backed platforms, business services
- Deal Type: Both
- Deal Size: $50M - $2B
- Location: Minneapolis, MN and global
- Website: lincolninternational.com
Manufacturing M&A in Minneapolis
Manufacturing is the largest M&A sector in the Twin Cities. Industrial buyers, PE-backed platforms, and strategic acquirers compete for quality businesses.
Minnesota has a deep manufacturing base across medical devices, food processing, and specialty industrials. These businesses attract both regional and national buyer pools.
Your advisor needs current multiple data for your specific sub-sector. A generalist quoting one EBITDA multiple across all manufacturing is a red flag.
Use Ellty to organize your equipment records, customer contracts, and compliance docs in a virtual data room. Manufacturing buyers check these files early. Disorganized records slow your deal by weeks. See how manufacturing deals play out in another strong market with the Dallas industrials M&A advisors list.
Food and agribusiness M&A in the Twin Cities
Minnesota's food processing and agribusiness base makes it one of the strongest food M&A markets in the Midwest. Strategic buyers from across North America are active here.
Food M&A picked up significantly in 2025, with large strategic deals pushing mid-market valuations upward. Twin Cities food brands are attracting international buyer interest.
Your advisor needs relationships with both strategic food buyers and PE-backed food platforms. A generalist M&A advisor without food-specific deal experience misses your best bidders.
Use Ellty to share your SKU-level revenue data and supplier contracts with buyers. Set granular permissions to control which buyers see your distribution agreements before the NDA. Track engagement with document analytics before your first management call. See how food deals work in a comparable market with the Boston consumer M&A advisors list.
Healthcare M&A in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a major healthcare hub, home to UnitedHealth Group and Medtronic. Healthcare M&A deal flow reflects that industrial base.
Healthcare services, health IT, and medical device transactions are all active in the Twin Cities. Buyers include strategics, PE-backed rollup platforms, and hospital systems.
Your advisor needs current knowledge of healthcare valuation benchmarks and regulatory requirements. Healthcare deals have compliance layers that generalist advisors often miss.
Use Ellty to share your compliance certifications and contract documentation with buyers under strict access controls. Healthcare buyers need clean due diligence materials organized by category before they engage seriously.
How Ellty helps you close an M&A deal in Minneapolis
You've shortlisted your advisor. Here's how to prepare your data room for the process.
- 1.Upload financials, contracts, and operational docs to your data roomOrganize files by category before uploading. Minneapolis buyers judge quality on day one.
- 2.Set access permissions by buyer and NDA statusRequire email verification before buyers see your P&L. Add passwords for sensitive terms.
- 3.Track which buyers review your financials and key contractsSee who opens your files and how long they spend. Serious buyers check numbers early.
Common questions about Minneapolis M&A advisors
- Minneapolis has one of the densest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies outside New York. Healthcare, food processing, and advanced manufacturing create deal flow that most Midwest cities don't have.
- Quazar, Kroll Capital, and Chartwell Financial Advisory have the strongest manufacturing track records. All three can name recent closed deals with buyer names and transaction values.
- Manufacturing and food companies trade at 4x to 7x EBITDA depending on growth and customer concentration. Healthcare IT businesses command higher multiples from strategic buyers.
- Most deals run six to twelve months. Manufacturing deals with environmental or equipment diligence can stretch longer. Healthcare deals with regulatory review add time.
- Before your first advisor meeting. Organized financials and contracts signal buyer readiness. Minneapolis buyers move fast on well-prepared sellers.
- Local boutiques like Quazar and Aethlon Capital know Twin Cities buyers and relationships well. National firms like Piper Sandler bring broader buyer networks for larger deals.
