Deal Sourcing ✳︎

For buyers seeking exclusive opportunities, our Off-Market Deal Sourcing engagement connects you with curated, under-the-radar agency prospects that align with your goals.

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About Off-Market Deal Sourcing

The best deals aren’t always on the market. They’re waiting to be discovered.

Unlock exclusive opportunities with acquisition sourcing.

Imagine gaining access to a curated selection of under-the-radar agencies that align perfectly with your strategic objectives. Our Off-Market Deal Sourcing engagement connects you with opportunities you won’t find on traditional listings, saving you time and ensuring the best fit for your goals.

Your competitive edge starts with the right connections.

This isn’t just deal sourcing: it’s strategic matchmaking. Leveraging our expertise, market insights, and deep network, we deliver tailored opportunities that align with your vision, giving you a competitive advantage in finding and acquiring your next great agency.

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WHEN YOU SHOULD CHOOSE OFF-MARKET DEAL SOURCING

You’re seeking exclusive opportunities

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If you’re ready to grow through acquisition, Off-Market Deal Sourcing connects you with hidden gems: agencies not actively listed on the market but aligned with your strategic vision.

You want a tailored approach to deal sourcing

(02)

Our process goes beyond traditional listings. We identify, vet, and approach potential targets based on your acquisition sourcing, ensuring that every opportunity is the right fit.

You need a competitive edge in a crowded market

(03)

By tapping into our extensive network and expertise in the agency space, we give you access to opportunities that others simply can’t find, helping you stay ahead of the competition.

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Deal Sourcing ✳︎

Deal Sourcing✳︎

Benefits

Exclusive access to hidden opportunities.

Off-Market Deal Sourcing provides a tailored approach to finding the perfect agency for your goals. With our extensive network and data-driven vetting process, we uncover exclusive opportunities through acquisition sourcing that help you grow strategically and gain a competitive edge.

Internal
External

Outcomes

More Time to Focus on Closing Deals: We handle the sourcing so your team can focus on diligence and value creation.
Lower Cost vs. Building an In-House Origination Team: No need to hire, train, and manage a dedicated deal-sourcing team when we provide a cost-effective and scalable solution.
Consistent, High-Quality Deal Flow: Avoid deal droughts. We ensure a steady pipeline of pre-vetted, off-market opportunities that match your investment criteria.
Faster Execution & First-Mover Advantage: By sourcing opportunities before they hit auction processes, we help you move quickly and secure better terms.
Deeper Market Insights & Sector Expertise: Our team focuses on agency and human capital transactions, providing valuable industry intelligence and deal structuring insights.
Better Risk Management & Higher Close Rates: We pre-screen opportunities, ensuring you spend time on high-quality, actionable deals instead of chasing bad leads.

Outcomes

Proprietary Deal Flow Equals Less Competition & Better Valuations: Gain access to exclusive, off market opportunities, reducing competitive bidding and increasing your negotiation power.
Stronger Reputation: Consistently closing great deals positions your firm as a preferred buyer, attracting better opportunities over time.
Expansion Into New Markets & Sectors: Looking to diversify? We help you identify and pursue strategic acquisition in new and adjacent industries.
More Deals, More Opportunities, Better Portfolio Growth: The more deals you see, the better your chances of finding the perfect acquisition. Our service helps you scale your pipeline and grow your portfolio.
Improved LP & Investor Confidence - a steady flow of high-quality deals strengths your fundraising efforts, showing investors that you have a repeatable, scalable souring strategy
Proactive investment Strategy - instead of waiting for deals to come to you, we help you identify and pursue high-value targets ahead of your competitors.

HERE'S WHATWE'LL DO

Process

Strategic deal sourcing with exclusive insights.

Finding the right acquisition isn’t about quantity. It’s about quality. Our process goes beyond traditional searches, leveraging our extensive network, data-driven insights, and personalized approach to identify the best-fit agencies for your goals. Every step is tailored to ensure you access exclusive opportunities that align with your vision for growth and success.

Let’s work together

Phases of work

Buyer Discovery

Our process begins with a deep dive into your goals, preferences, and acquisition criteria. We work collaboratively to understand the industries, agency types, and growth opportunities you’re targeting.

Deliverables include:

Initial consultation and goal-setting session
Definition of acquisition criteria and ideal target profile
Review of strategic growth goals and long-term vision
Market insights and opportunity identification

Deal Sourcing

We leverage our extensive network, proprietary ranking system, and scorecard to identify exclusive off-market opportunities that align with your strategic vision.

Deliverables include:

A curated shortlist of off-market agency prospects
Detailed profiles on each target, including financials, market fit, and potential synergies
Proprietary ranking and scorecard evaluation for each prospect
Initial outreach to gauge interest and alignment
Regular updates on new opportunities discovered

Opportunity Evaluation

Once potential targets are identified, we provide a clear and actionable evaluation to empower you in making informed decisions. From introductions to early-stage negotiation insights, we act as an extension of your investment team.

Deliverables include:

One-on-one sessions to review each target’s fit and potential
Strategic recommendations for pursuing opportunities
Insights into integration and growth potential
Proprietary scorecard insights to evaluate alignment and long-term benefits
Support with next steps, including introductions and negotiations

In their own words →

Hear what our clients have to say about working with Merge

Brett Sirianni
Founder
Social Supply Co.
By far the most outstanding element to Merge's work is the people. Never have I felt so supported and that the team I worked with actually cared not only about the deal, but how I was feeling throughout the whole process. I was shown guidance through the due diligence process and options were discussed and presented, not directed. The phone calls I received from the team just to check in to see how I was feeling and handling the process made all the difference.
Jim Kessler
Founder
Candor PR
When we decided to sell our agency, we initially started down the traditional path of securing an individual broker to connect us with prospective buyers. Our choices were limited. Then we discovered Merge and realized how antiquated traditional practices had become. We loved the accelerated process and the idea of listing our agency to a larger network of pre-qualified buyers, much like you would a home on the MLS.
Mathew Landon
Managing Partner
Contour Ridge
This was not the first time we transacted with a Merge-listed company, but one thing remained consistent: the Merge team takes time to understand the people behind the transaction. In addition to managing a smooth process, they focused on developing a partnership between buyer and seller – that alignment was critical to the deal.
Karen Wicker
Founder
Candor PR
The big surprise at Merge was the team assigned to us. They were personable, intelligent, and driven. They sought to understand our priorities with unparalleled care and commitment, having our backs at every step of our successful journey. One year later, we still maintain contact with Cally Carbone and Molly McCartan, whom we consider treasured friends. Hi-tech AND hi-touch. You don’t find that very often. Whether buying or selling, Merge brings incredible value to the process.
Michelle Gerster
Co-Founder & COO
Joybyte
Selling our business was a complex process, and choosing the right acquisition broker was crucial. Fortunately, we partnered with Merge, and it proved to be an excellent decision. From the initial consultation, the Merge team was incredibly responsive. They were always available to answer our questions and address our concerns, no matter how big or small. This responsiveness provided us with much-needed peace of mind throughout the process.