Walden

Walden is a trusted Atlanta-based M&A firm built upon integrity, creativity, and confidentiality since 1991. Our principals lead an experienced Atlanta M&A firm of specialists with decades of combined experience, including successful histories as business owners.

2026 M&A Outlook for the Lower Middle Market

After a year of market choppiness in 2025, the M&A environment for lower-middle-market businesses is shifting toward stability. For owners of companies with annual revenue between $20 million and $200 million, the instability of early 2025, driven by tariff fluctuations and valuation gaps, initially slowed deal activity more than anticipated. However, as conditions stabilized in […]

December 22, 2025

M&A South 2026: Why Your Advisor’s Valuable Network is Your Greatest Asset

For a business owner considering an exit, the decision of which Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) firm to partner with is perhaps the most critical choice of the entire process. While financial acumen and a proven process are vital, one often-overlooked asset can significantly influence the outcome: your advisor’s deep, valuable network of buyers. In the […]

December 17, 2025

F-Reorgs and M&A Exit Strategy: Structuring for Success

For a business owner contemplating a sale, the M&A process is often seen through the lens of maximizing the final sale price. While value is certainly crucial, the underlying corporate structure of the selling entity often plays a significant, and sometimes overlooked, role in achieving the best possible outcome. This is where an F-Reorganization, or […]

December 10, 2025

Introducing Samantha Jones, Principal at Walden M&A

Walden M&A is pleased to announce the addition of Samantha Jones as a Principal, adding a distinct perspective to our M&A advisory services. She brings a combined experience as both a business seller and corporate executive with expertise in strategy, marketing, business development, and operations. This unique firsthand knowledge from both sides of the table […]

November 25, 2025

Net Dollar Retention in M&A: The Key to Successful Business Acquisition

For founders and executive operators of middle-market businesses with recurring revenue models like Software as a Service (SaaS), achieving a successful exit hinges on demonstrating business sustainability. For founders and executive operators of middle-market businesses with recurring revenue models like Software as a Service (SaaS), achieving a successful exit hinges on demonstrating business sustainability. Your […]

November 18, 2025

The Attorney’s Role in Mergers and Acquisitions

For a middle-market business owner, the decision to sell represents the culmination of a lifetime’s work. It is an intensive process, full of complex negotiations and due diligence. A successful transaction hinges on meticulous preparation and the strategic alliance of experienced advisors. From the legal perspective, the attorney’s role is to build a rock-solid foundation, […]

November 13, 2025

What Business Owners Need to Know About Business Valuation

Deciding to sell a business is the culmination of years of hard work, but translating that effort into a maximum sale price requires expertise. Many founder and family-owned business owners begin their journey with a single, simplifying thought: their valuation is just an EBITDA multiple. As an M&A firm specializing in the lower-middle market, Walden […]

October 28, 2025

How to Find the Right Business for Your Acquisition: A Buy-Side Strategy

For middle-market companies seeking to grow, diversify, or gain a competitive edge, the process of finding the right business for acquisition requires a clear strategy, beyond a simple market search. It demands discipline, a precise vision, and the kind of marketplace access Walden M&A provides. Walden M&A Principals John Phillips and Samantha Jones share their […]

October 16, 2025

How Much Will I Pay in Taxes When Selling a Business? Navigating the Tax Complexity for a Successful Exit

Navigating the sale of a business is one of the most critical events in an owner’s professional life, and the central question for many is: How much will I pay in taxes? The complexity of tax liability in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions is significant, depending on variables like business structure, deal type, and the […]

October 8, 2025

Understanding the M&A Timeline: A Guide to a Successful Business Sale

For a founder or owner considering an exit, the timeline for selling a business is one of the most pressing questions. While every transaction is unique, a clear understanding of the M&A timeline is essential for a smooth and successful sale. Walden M&A Principals Dean McDonald and Bob Tankesley share their insights on what a […]

September 23, 2025