Sell, Scale, or Plan Your Exit.
On Your Terms.
For business owners doing $10M+ in revenue who deserve a true advocate.
No Large Upfront Retainer
Most M&A firms require $50K–$150K before they begin. We don’t. We bill as we deliver, aligned with results, not promises.
No Lock In Contracts On Day One
We earn our seat at the table. Exclusivity begins only when you’re ready to go to market because we perform, and you stay because we deliver.
Operators, Not Academics
We’ve built, bought, and sold real companies. We understand imperfect financials, real-world challenges, and what it actually takes to close.
Owner-Aligned Advocacy
Every process is tailored to your goals, not a quick sale. We focus on maximizing outcome, timing, and long-term value.
We Help Business Owners Sell Or Scale Their Companies
The Right Way.
Think of us as your dedicated M&A advisory team, focused exclusively on getting you the absolute maximum value for your life’s work. We are not a volume shop churning through deals. We are a client focused firm that brings Fortune 500 caliber representation to the middle market, with a team of operators who have actually built and sold businesses themselves.
Selling A Business Is The Biggest Financial Decision Of Your Life.
Here's How We Handle It.
01
We learn your business, your goals, and your timeline. Whether you are ready to sell, bring on an equity partner, or plan your exit years from now, it all starts with a conversation.
02
We determine what your business is worth and build the story that will resonate with the right buyers. Our materials run 30 to 60 pages covering everything from financials to growth potential.
03
We run a structured auction process, reaching our network of financial and strategic buyers to generate many more competitive offers than your average bank.
04
Negotiate & Close
We negotiate deal terms, manage due diligence, and protect your interests through closing. No surprises. No hidden terms. We teach you every step of the way.
“We don’t ask for trust upfront, we build it month by month.”
— John Curtin, CEO & Partner
Crafting Your Exit Into Reality.
Every business owner deserves a clear path forward, whether that means a full sale, a partial exit, or a strategic partnership. We do not use cookie-cutter playbooks. We build a custom deal strategy for those who are ready and a clear roadmap for those who are not yet ready, but want to be.
Full service sell side representation for business owners ready to go to market. We manage every step from initial preparation through closing day.
Understand what your company is truly worth before making any decisions. Our valuations are built on real market data, buyer intelligence, and deep industry knowledge.
Not ready to sell today? Our consulting program gives you a clear blueprint to maximize your company’s value, whether you ultimately sell or not.
How you structure a deal matters as much as the price. We protect you from claw back clauses, hidden terms, and post-closing surprises that catch unprepared sellers off guard.
We stay at the table through every round, negotiating against sophisticated buyers who do this for a living. You should not be going into this alone.
Buy Side Advisory
Looking to acquire companies before or after your own transaction? We use the same approach to help you evaluate and close acquisitions that accelerate your growth.
Operators Who've Been In Your Shoes.
John Curtin
CEO & Partner
Serial entrepreneur turned investment banker. John founded Harborstone Group after building and exiting Now Capital Partners, a full service national investment bank. He holds the record for highest valuation ever recorded in three different industries and EBITDA ranges. Before investment banking, John managed billions in property investment funds, founded multiple companies including Lazarus Technologies (which pioneered industry standard facial animation), and grew generic CFO Los Angeles as a Partner. He combines the financial sophistication of an investment banker with the real world perspective of a founder who has built companies from the ground up.
Gus Jursch
Managing Partner
Operator turned investment banker. Gus brings over 20 years of experience building and running businesses, where he was directly involved in numerous M&A transactions from the inside, giving him a hands-on understanding of what drives value and how deals actually get done.
Before moving full-time into investment banking, Gus worked as a business consultant across a broad range of industries, advising companies on growth, strategy, and transaction readiness while continuing to lead and support M&A processes. Today, he specializes in lower middle-market transactions, particularly founder-led businesses, and is known for his direct, execution-focused approach and ability to align strategy with results, consistently driving competitive processes and strong outcomes.
Marianne Allison
CPA, Regional President
Seasoned accounting and finance executive with a career built at the intersection of operations and strategic advisory. As a former Regional Partner at an international CFO consulting firm, Marianne guided hundreds of companies through rapid growth, restructuring, and financial transformation. She has also built and sold multiple businesses herself, giving her firsthand experience on both sides of the transaction table. At Harborstone, she advises business owners across construction, HVAC, manufacturing, engineering, and professional services, helping them prepare for and achieve the absolute maximum value of their transaction.
“You wouldn’t sell your house without a realtor. Selling a business is exponentially more complex and demands a banker.”
Building Trust Through Excellence.
- Personal Tailoring
- Privacy & Confidentiality
We Provide The Perfect Solution For Serious Business Owners.
Harborstone Group serves established profitable businesses in the United States. We bring large company M&A support to the middle market with a team that has actually been where you are.
Stay Informed on M&A
Insights, strategies, and real talk from operators who have been through it. Straight to your inbox.
Answers to Your Queries.
We know this process raises a lot of questions. Here are the ones we hear most. If yours is not here, we are always happy to talk.
Why don't you charge upfront fees?
Because we believe our incentives should be aligned with yours. If we have to prove ourselves every single month to keep your business, we are going to work harder, prepare better materials, and generate more competitive offers. Most firms collect $50K to $150K upfront and then have no urgency to perform. That is not how we operate.
How is Harborstone different from other M&A firms?
Three things set us apart. First, we do not require upfront fees or lock you into exclusive agreements until we go to market. Second, our team consists of operators who have built and sold businesses themselves, not recent graduates learning on your deal. Third, we run an aggressive competitive process that typically generates multiple offers (as many as 70) compared to the 5 to 10 most firms settle for. More offers means more choices and better outcomes.
What does my business need to qualify?
Three things set us apart. First, we do not require upfront fees or lock you into exclusive agreements until we go to market. Second, our team consists of operators who have built and sold businesses themselves, not recent graduates learning on your deal. Third, we run an aggressive competitive process that typically generates multiple offers (as many as 70) compared to the 5 to 10 most firms settle for. More offers means more choices and better outcomes.
How long does the typical sale process take?
Our typical process runs 8 to 12 months from engagement to close. That includes discovery (1 month), materials and preparation (2 to 3 months), going to market (2 to 3 months), and executing the deal through close (3 to 5 months). If you are 3 to 5 years from a transaction, our Blueprint to Value program helps you prepare now so you are ready when the time comes.
Will my employees or competitors find out I'm selling?
Confidentiality is foundational to everything we do. Every potential buyer signs a non disclosure agreement before learning your company’s identity. We do not publish client names, transaction details, or deal announcements on our website. Many of our clients are high net worth individuals who value their privacy, and we respect that completely.
Let's Build a Better Future, Together.
Whether you are ready to sell tomorrow or planning for three years from now, a conversation is the first step. No pressure, no commitment. Just a straightforward discussion about your goals and how we can help.
"One offer is no offer at all"
— Marianne Allison, CPA Regional President