Merger & Acquisition Advisors
Providing services to help you buy or sell a business
Specializing in founder/family led businesses with $5M – $250M in revenue
Investment Banking for the Lower Middle Market
Cornerstone Business Services is an investment bank serving the lower middle market of mergers & acquisitions. We’re based in the Midwest but work throughout North America, and are a founding member of the Cornerstone International Alliance. We create value through acquisition searches, company sales, and a real market analysis, with a focus on businesses with annual revenue from $5 million to $250 million.
Cornerstone uses a team approach on each transaction along with our proprietary Assurance 360™ process which typically generates multiple offers, a high likelihood to close and maximizes value. We work really well with first time sellers that value an advisor’s role and want to ensure the largest financial transaction of their life is done right.
Research Reports and White Paper
New Study (For Financial Advisors):
The $100 Million Opportunity Hiding in Your Book
Access Cornerstone’s 2025 AUM Retention Study, based on a national survey of 750 business owners, to learn what keeps clients loyal after a sale and what makes them switch. Discover why 62% would consider leaving an advisor who adds no value during the sale process, plus a practical way to start the right exit conversations and protect assets during the biggest liquidity event of your client’s life.
New White Paper (For Business Owners):
A Smarter Way to Value Your Business
Most business owners don't know what their business would actually sell for today. Online calculators and quick estimates miss how real buyers think and how deals actually get priced.
This white paper introduces Real Market Analysis (RMA), Cornerstone’s market-based approach to business valuation. Learn how buyers assess value, what really drives multiples and deal terms, and how to get a clear, reality-based view of what your business is worth and how to increase it.
New White Paper (For Business Owners):
Got an Unsolicited Offer? Create Competition Before You Sign.
An unsolicited offer can feel like the finish line, but with only one buyer, the leverage is theirs. This guide shows how POMO™ (Power of Multiple Offers™) creates urgency, scarcity, and competition so you can compare offers side by side and choose the best overall deal, not just the first number presented. Includes what to do the moment an offer arrives and how competitive tension can drive materially higher value and better terms.
New Study (For Financial Advisors):
The $100 Million Opportunity Hiding in Your Book
Access Cornerstone’s 2025 AUM Retention Study, based on a national survey of 750 business owners, to learn what keeps clients loyal after a sale and what makes them switch. Discover why 62% would consider leaving an advisor who adds no value during the sale process, plus a practical way to start the right exit conversations and protect assets during the biggest liquidity event of your client’s life.
25 Years of Creating Life-Changing Events
In 2001, we saw a problem in the M&A industry. Here’s what we built to fix it.
Testimonials
"It was a pleasure working with you because of the experience, sound business advice, professional ethics and timeliness that you integrated throughout the process."
Alpha Terra
"Your persistence, even when there seemed to be no resolution in sight, was what brought this deal to a close."
Ro-Flow Compressors
"Their knowledge of the process and ability to garner prospects were instrumental in 'making it happen.'"
President - LaForce
"I would recommend them for anyone considering selling their business."
President - Addoco
"Cornerstone is honest, supportive, direct, open, transparent and cutting edge."
Past Owners - Window Accesories
"Having multiple buyers increased my company's value and allowed me to pick the buyer that best fit my expectations."
Founder - Sherman Consulting
"We were impressed with their unwavering commitment to do whatever it takes to get the job done for us."
CEO - Clincial Research Solutions
"If you are really serious about wanting to buy a business, Cornerstone are the people to talk to."
Past Buy-Side Client
Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other customer and is no guarantee of future performance or success.
Client Results
