Top Illinois Investment Banks with Recent Private M&A Activity

Active Firms

TTM Deal Flow

$5M-$25M

Core Revenue Range

$1M-$4M

Core EBITDA Range

Top Sectors by Activity

Industrials 38%

Transportation 25%

Business Services 13%

Food & Hospitality 13%

Healthcare 13%

Key Attributes

Best For: Complex Transactions | Typical Fee: Retainer & Success fee | Coverage: Dedicated, Sector-Focused Deal Teams

Auctus Capital Partners

3 Closed Deals via Axial

64 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Auctus Capital Partners is a multi-faceted investment bank specializing in merger & acquisition advisory, institutional private placements of debt and equity capital, financial restructuring, valuation, and strategic consulting. With best-in-class access to strategic and financial buyers, as well as global capital providers, our bankers identify opportunities and navigate challenges with a local understanding on a global scale.

Recent Transactions

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Dec 2025 Assisted Puzzle Healthcare in securing debt financing from HCAP
Aug 2025 Advised Engage CX on an investment from PNC
Apr 2025 Advised United Transportation LLC in its sale to Graxon Logistics LLC
Feb 2025 Assisted Sempera Organics in securing debt financing from Newtek Bank

Peakstone Group

3 Closed Deals via Axial

60 Total Closed Deals

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The Peakstone Group is an investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients. Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals and operating executives, all of whom have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2026 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company
Dec 2025 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company
Oct 2025 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company
Sep 2025 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company

Stout Capital, LLC

1 Closed Deal via Axial

2 Total Closed Deals

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Stout is a global investment bank and advisory firm specializing in corporate finance, valuation, financial disputes, and investigations. We serve a range of clients, from public corporations to privately held companies in numerous industries. Our clients and their advisors rely on our premier expertise, deep industry knowledge, and unparalleled responsiveness on complex matters.Investment BankingOur industry-focused bankers specialize in mergers and acquisitions, private capital raising, and other financial advisory services for privately held businesses, portfolio companies of private…

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2025 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Buyer
Jan 2024 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company

Dresner Partners

50 Total Closed Deals

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Dresner Partners is a middle market investment bank specializing in mergers & acquisition advisory, financial restructuring and corporate turnarounds, institutional private placements of debt and equity, valuation and strategic consulting. Our clients are middle market companies operating both in the U.S. and internationally. We are deeply committed to exceeding client expectations and maintaining the highest levels of integrity. Our experienced professionals have the foresight necessary to navigate through highly complicated transactions to maximize value for our clients. The Firm's…

Recent Transactions

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May 2023 Advised Vic West Importers d/b/a Grandpa Gus' in its sale to VCM Products
Mar 2015 Advised Damian Services Corp on an investment from Sterling Bancorp
Jul 2014 Advised Guardian Industries on an investment from Altra Industrial
Mar 2014 Advised G2 Partners in its sale to Excellere Partners

Kreshmore Group

32 Total Closed Deals

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Kreshmore Group (KG) started operations in 2009 and has grown to become a leading restructuring and M&A advisory firm serving clients nationwide. The firm serves myriad niche industries while focusing on lower-middle & mid-market companies within the continental United States. Headquartered in Lemont, Illinois, with offices in Chicago, Illinois and Naples, Florida, KG assists clients in restructures/turnarounds, workouts, recapitalizations, M&A, real estate capital markets and real estate asset management, business sale prep, senior and subordinated debt structuring, diligence…

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2025 Assisted SIENA LAKE in securing debt financing from Confidential Company
Oct 2025 Advised Sackett in its sale to MTC Do More
Sep 2025 Assisted Planet Group Inc in securing debt financing from Confidential Company
Aug 2025 Assisted PROMETCO in securing debt financing from Confidential Company

Balmoral Advisors, LLC

28 Total Closed Deals

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Balmoral Advisors is an independent, specialty investment bank dedicated to providing mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, and financial restructuring advisory services involving mid-sized transactions. We specialize in helping clients sell their businesses, find and complete acquisitions, and raise or refinance capital. We work with business owners, corporations and financial investors worldwide involving early stage growth companies, successful mature businesses, corporate divestitures, distressed and special situations.

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2025 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company
Jan 2025 Assisted Confidential Company in securing debt financing from Confidential Company
Dec 2023 Advised Confidential Company in its sale to Confidential Company
Dec 2020 Advised Allpoints, Inc. Building Services in its sale to Service Logic

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Houlihan Capital

19 Total Closed Deals

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Houlihan Capital is a leading, solutions-driven valuation, financial advisory and boutique investment banking firm committed to delivering superior client value. We pride ourselves on being thought leaders in an ever-changing landscape. Houlihan Capital is a FINRA and SIPC member, committed to the highest levels of professional ethics and standards. Investment Banking Services We provide sell side and buy side M&A advisory services, institutional private placement and capital raises. Valuation and Financial Advisory We provide an array of services that range from portfolio valuation,…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Advised AMI in its sale to Israel Aerospace Industries Inc.
Aug 2023 Acquired Aero-Mark LLC
Aug 2023 Assisted Bond Medical in securing debt financing from Bank of America
Aug 2023 Advised Clay Petroleum Group in its sale to HESS

Kinsella Group, Inc.

16 Total Closed Deals

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Kinsella Group is a middle-market boutique investment bank and business advisory firm representing sellers, buyers and companies seeking capital to grow. Our professionals hold SEC securities licenses as Broker/Dealer representatives. We focus today in the healthcare sector helping clients grow, generate liquidity and enhance financial and operational strength. Our Firm’s origins are in turnaround consulting and financial restructuring in the industrial space. Our principals have all held senior positions in operating companies having personal experience with issues business owners face…

Recent Transactions

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Sep 2019 Advised Jade Precision Medical Components in its sale to Arch Global Precision
Sep 2019 Advised Jade Equipment Corp. in its sale to Arch Global Precision
Aug 2019 Advised Undisclosed in its sale to Undisclosed
Jun 2019 Advised Advantage Manufacturing Technologies in its sale to Medin Technologies

Livingstone Partners

10 Total Closed Deals

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Livingstone is an international mid-market M&A and debt advisory firm with offices in Beijing, Chicago, Düsseldorf, London, Los Angeles, Madrid and Stockholm. We have deep industry expertise, and extensive global coverage, with dedicated teams across our offices serving five segments: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial, and Media & Technology.

Recent Transactions

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Oct 2024 Advised RH Marine in its sale to VINCI Energies
Oct 2024 Advised Bakker Sliedrecht in its sale to VINCI Energies
Sep 2024 Advised Clafis Ingenieus in its sale to Team Eiffel
Sep 2024 Advised Cine City in its sale to Pathe

XMS Capital Partners

10 Total Closed Deals

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XMS Capital Partners goes beyond transaction-focused investment banking. Our clients know us for our thoughtful judgment, in-depth collaboration and creative solutions. Our unwavering commitment to providing the right advice is how we become a trusted advisor. That's Involvement Banking.

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2024 Advised Statrad in its sale to I-Med Network Radiology
Aug 2023 Advised Perceptron in its sale to Atlas Copco
Jul 2023 Advised Bush Brothers in its sale to Heartwood Partners
Jun 2022 Advised AON in its sale to tcdi

The Chicago Corporation

6 Total Closed Deals

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The Chicago Corporation is an independent Chicago-based investment banking firm focused on providing middle-market companies with a range of financial and corporate advisory services including merger and acquisitions, institutional debt and equity capital raising, and financial restructuring. The Chicago Corporation leverages the broad experience of its team to evaluate and implement financial strategies designed to maximize the value of a client's business. The firm is committed to a "client-first" approach, which ensures that its professionals work together to find the best market-based…

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2017 Advised Benefit Administrative Systems, LLC in its sale to HealthComp Holdings
Feb 2016 Advised Holton Food Products Company in its sale to Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc
Jun 2015 Advised Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc. on an investment from Various Investors
May 2014 Advised Go Packaging, LLC in its sale to Welch Packaging Group

Syed Brokerage & Capital Co.

6 Total Closed Deals

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Investment Bank , Accredited and Certified Merger & Acquisitions Advisor, Business and Commercial Investments Intermediary/Broker Expert, Investment Advisor, Consultant, 30+ Years Exp. of Verifiable Business Accomplishments, Steering Growth, Assets Wealth Expansion, Profit Generation Demonstration Proven Success in Delivering High Profits Attainment Through Targeted Innovative Business, and Investments Strategies.

Recent Transactions

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Dec 2016 Advised Schiller Plaza Commons on an investment from A1 Schiller Plaza LLC
Oct 2016 Assisted Midwest Gas Inc. in securing debt financing from Syed Brokerage & Capital Co.
May 2015 Advised Vishna Inc. on an investment from Syed Brokerage & Capital Co.
Jan 2015 Advised Lewis Ave Food Inc. in its sale to Investor

Grand Avenue Capital Partners

3 Total Closed Deals

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Grand Avenue Capital Partners is a FINRA licensed broker/dealer authorized to manage security transactions and merger/acquisitions. Our firm focuses on sell- and buy-side investment banking assignments for domestic North American client companies with revenues $10-150 million which are typically profitable and established. We are prepared to serve clients globally; approximately 15% of our practice has been in Asia where we have been involved in substantially larger transactions with world-scale companies and investors. We have been engaged by private companies in China with up to $2.5…

Recent Transactions

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Dec 2022 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company
Nov 2022 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company
May 2018 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company

Egwele & Company

1 Total Closed Deal

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Egwele & Company is an independent boutique investment bank providing financial and strategic advisory services to entrepreneurs, corporations, private funds and institutional investors. Provides advice on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, minority investments, recapitalizations and private placements.

Recent Transactions

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Sep 2022 Advised All City Environmental Services, Inc. on an investment from Liquid Environmental Solutions

Loop Capital Markets

1 Total Closed Deal

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Loop Capital has become an industry leader by listening to and understanding its clients' needs. Throughout the years, after working with some of the nation's most important entities, we have developed a reputation of stellar integrity and service. That, coupled with our track record for unparalleled success, has led to the firm's organic growth, which allows Loop Capital to serve an expanding number of global clients.

Recent Transactions

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Mar 2024 Advised Blue Fire Leads in its sale to Apollo Interactive

Downstream Energy Partners

1 Total Closed Deal

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Downstream Energy Partners is an independent, privately-held investment bank providing national merger & acquisition (M&A) and strategic advisory services in the energy and retail sectors

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2019 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company

Incognito Ventures

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Venture Advisory + FundingWe are experienced entrepreneurs, storytellers, and investors who understand all aspects of starting, growing and executing a vision. We primarily engage with opportunities in the media, entertainment, and technology sector.AdvisoryWe help emerging entrepreneurs driving great opportunities to raise money, so they can operate from a place of abundance. We help entrepreneurs craft a compelling story that highlights the true value of their opportunities. We identify and match the right investment partners from our global network of investors so that the…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Navigant Capital Advisors

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Navigant Capital Advisors ("NCA") is the dedicated corporate finance business unit of Navigant Consulting, Inc. NCA serves the middle market Investment Banking, Restructuring, Valuation, and Transaction Advisory needs of companies, private equity groups, lenders, and other creditor constituencies.With over 100 dedicated and experienced finance professionals nationwide, NCA advises on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; arranges private placements of debt and equity; and, provides a full range of corporate finance services in any industry.In an era of distress, disputes, and financial and…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Metropolitan Capital Investment Banc

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Metropolitan Capital Investment Banc is a boutique investment banking enterprise that provides private placement and merger & acquisitions services for entrepreneurs, high-net worth individuals, families and the companies that they own and operate. The firm differentiates itself through a unique ability to understand complex circumstances and craft long-term, custom-tailored solutions that enable our clients to realize their financial goals.As a privately-held company, we serve our clients’ best interests by providing objective, independent advice. With a long term focus and in…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Baker Tilly Capital

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Baker Tilly Capital, LLC is a boutique investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, capital sourcing, project finance, and corporate finance advisory services. The Baker Tilly Capital team is led by investment bankers and corporate finance specialists that have meaningful experience advising clients in evaluating strategic and financial alternatives, creating and executing sell side and buy side M&A strategies, and identifying cost-effective financing alternatives and sources. Baker Tilly Capital, LLC is a subsidiary of Baker Tilly US, LLP, a national accounting and…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Firms in the Illinois Investment Banks directory are ordered based on recent deal activity on Axial. The default order reflects observed market signals rather than a subjective ranking of firm quality.

Each profile provides information about the firm’s areas of focus, transaction criteria, and relevant activity on Axial’s M&A platform. Together, these details provide a clearer view of where a firm is active and the types of companies and opportunities most relevant for it.

Based on activity on Axial’s M&A platform, the core revenue range for Illinois Investment Banks is $5M-$25M, with a core EBITDA range of $1M-$4M. Company size can be an important indicator of fit, as firms often concentrate their experience, resources, and transaction activity within particular segments of the market.

Location can be an important consideration, but it does not necessarily define where a firm is active. Firms based in Illinois may bring regional knowledge, local relationships, and experience with businesses in the area, while many also pursue opportunities across a broader geographic footprint. Geography is best considered alongside sector focus, company size, and relevant transaction activity.

Not necessarily. A firm’s location does not always define its geographic reach. Many Investment Banks based in Illinois are active across multiple regions, while firms based elsewhere may also participate in the Illinois market. Location can provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted as a firm’s geographic boundary.

When comparing Investment Banks in Illinois, consider factors such as sector focus, size range, and recent transaction activity. These characteristics vary across the 47 firms included in the directory and can help identify firms that align with your needs.

Axial can help you identify and connect with firms based on your objectives and what you are looking to accomplish. The process varies depending on your role and transaction needs. If you are interested in connecting with firms in the Illinois Investment Banks directory, you can request information here.

Top Illinois Investment Banks

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