Business Consulting

Catsnake operates with a senior-led team supported by a long-standing network of trusted freelance specialists, allowing the agency to scale efficiently while maintaining creative excellence. Rather than functioning as a traditional production agency, Catsnake combines strategy, storytelling, research, creative development, and campaign execution into integrated fundraising solutions designed specifically for charities and nonprofits. With more than 60% of revenue generated from legacy fundraising initiatives and long-term client relationships spanning multiple years, the agency established itself as one of the UK’s leading specialists in this highly defensible niche.

After more than a decade of growing Catsnake into a market leader, Ed and Stephen recognized that the agency had reached a pivotal point in its evolution. They believed Catsnake’s next stage of growth, particularly expansion into the United States, would require additional capital, operational infrastructure, and strategic resources beyond what they could build independently. Rather than stepping away from the business, both founders wanted to remain actively involved while partnering with an organization that could accelerate growth, create greater opportunities for the team, and preserve the agency’s mission-driven culture.

For Catsnake, finding the highest bidder was never the objective.The founders wanted a partner that understood the nonprofit sector, valued the agency’s unique expertise in storytelling and legacy fundraising, and shared their long-term vision for growth. Maintaining the agency’s culture, protecting client relationships, and allowing Ed and Stephen to continue shaping the business after closing were all essential priorities. The ideal buyer would bring operational experience, financial resources, and international expansion capabilities while respecting everything that made Catsnake unique.

Merge positioned Catsnake as far more than a creative agency. The business was presented as a category-leading consultancy with proprietary intellectual property, deep specialization in legacy fundraising, and long-standing relationships with many of the UK’s most respected charitable organizations. Buyers were attracted to Catsnake’s differentiated framework, its hybrid operating model that balanced scalability with creative quality, and its reputation as a trusted strategic advisor rather than simply a campaign execution partner. The agency’s recurring project relationships, thought leadership, and significant opportunities for AI integration and international expansion further strengthened the investment story.

Merge marketed Catsnake as a rare opportunity to acquire one of the UK’s most respected nonprofit storytelling agencies with an established leadership position in legacy fundraising.Its reputation among Tier 1 charities, highly specialized expertise, and scalable operating model made the business particularly attractive to buyers looking to expand into the nonprofit sector. The opportunity became even more compelling through its clear expansion opportunities, including entering the U.S. market, productizing their proprietary framework, expanding into adjacent mission-driven sectors, and leveraging AI to improve research and strategic delivery.

Catsnake was acquired by LNE Group, led by Lee Weingart, whose business specialized in government affairs, advocacy, and helping nonprofit organizations secure funding. Lee immediately recognized the complementary nature of the two organizations. While LNE Group focused on advocacy, government relations, and funding strategies, Catsnake brought deep expertise in storytelling, donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and nonprofit communications. Together, the businesses created an opportunity to build a broader platform capable of helping nonprofit organizations raise awareness, secure funding, and expand their impact on both sides of the Atlantic.

The acquisition positioned Catsnake for its next chapter of growth while allowing the founders to remain actively involved in the business they had built. With LNE Group’s operational resources, capital, and established U.S. relationships, Catsnake gained the support needed to pursue international expansion, strengthen its service offerings, and continue investing in innovation. At the same time, LNE Group expanded its capabilities by adding one of the UK’s leading nonprofit storytelling agencies, creating meaningful cross-selling opportunities and a stronger platform to serve mission-driven organizations around the world.

Merge guided Catsnake through a founder-first process centered on finding the right long-term partner rather than simply completing a transaction. Through strategic positioning, targeted buyer outreach, and hands-on transaction support, Merge helped Ed and Stephen identify a buyer who valued the agency’s culture, respected its expertise, and shared its long-term vision. The result was a partnership that preserved everything that made Catsnake successful while providing the resources, infrastructure, and strategic support needed to accelerate its next phase of growth.