Drake Star Partners Research
Advisory Approach
Drake Star Partners is a global technology investment bank with an unwavering thesis: the highest-quality M&A advisory for technology companies requires both deep sector expertise and institutional-quality execution. Since 2003, the firm has completed over 500 transactions, building a reputation as the pre-eminent advisor to tech founders, PE investors, and strategic buyers. The firm's sweet spot is founder-led and venture-backed technology companies in the $50M-$500M+ range seeking strategic exits, growth financing, or acquisitions within the technology ecosystem.
Sector Focus
Drake Star maintains a disciplined, 100% technology focus. The firm organizes expertise across eight primary sectors:
Software/SaaS — Enterprise software, vertical SaaS, communications platforms, cybersecurity, IT automation, and MarTech/AdTech. The team advises on subscription-based businesses, platform consolidation, and strategic buyer roll-ups across the software stack.
Digital Media — Gaming studios, sports tech platforms, digital health applications, social media platforms, travel tech, music/entertainment, and immersive technologies (VR/AR/XR). Drake Star tracks gaming M&A intensively and publishes comprehensive market reports.
HR Tech — Talent acquisition platforms, human capital management systems, talent management tools, and employment verification services. Strong relationships with HR-focused PE firms like PSG.
FinTech — Payments, wealth management, insurance technology, open banking/BaaS, trading/lending, regulatory technology, legal tech, blockchain, and cryptocurrency infrastructure.
Industrial Tech — Industrial automation, robotics, infrastructure technology, manufacturing execution systems (MES), warehouse management, and supply chain/logistics technology.
Mobility & Sustainability — Mobility platforms, advanced transportation, renewable energy, smart grid, AgTech, energy transition, and clean technology.
Consumer & Retail Tech — Marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, back-office operations software, CPG tech, and consumer electronics enablement.
Digital Services — Managed IT, digital transformation, agency and marketing services, business process outsourcing, and communications services.
Deal Track Record
Drake Star's transaction volume demonstrates market leadership across multiple tech verticals:
- Ready Player Me → Netflix (Dec 2025): Exclusive advisor on sale of avatar creation platform to Netflix, enabling cross-game avatar infrastructure for global audience.
- PlayHQ → Alpine Software Group (Dec 2025): Advised on acquisition of world-leading sports tech registration platform, 14th Sports Tech deal for Drake Star since establishing sector focus.
- Vault Verify (PSG) → Equifax (Nov 2025): Exclusive advisor on HR Tech acquisition by major public company.
- Anuvu → Platinum Equity (Nov 2025): Advised on sale of digital services/communications platform to PE buyer.
- Gini → Banyan Software (Feb 2026): Exclusive advisor on FinTech AI-based banking solutions sale.
- Evo IT → FLEX Capital (Oct 2025): Advised on digital services platform sale.
- simpleshow → D-ID (Sep 2025): Exclusive advisor on AI video platform acquisition.
- Pernod Ricard sale of Bodeboca to Decántalo (Sep 2025): Strategic buyer transaction in beverage/consumer space.
- Freepik Company → EQT (Digital Media): Large-scale majority stake transaction.
- Idio → Episerver (Insight Partners): MarTech platform acquisition.
- Envato → Shutterstock (May 2024): Cross-border Australian tech acquisition by NYSE-listed buyer.
- Sittercity → Bright Horizons: Consumer tech childcare platform acquisition.
- ItemMaster → Gladson: Back-office operations software sale.
- Ultraleap (with Mayfair Equity Partners): Hardware/industrial tech transaction.
- Research Associates (HR Tech, Nov 2024): HR services acquisition.
Drake Star tracks aggregate market statistics and publishes institutional research. The firm has closed 500+ transactions since 2003, representing $22B+ in aggregate transaction value. The firm has won multiple "IBank of the Year" and "Deal of the Year" awards.
Process & Fee Structure
Drake Star runs disciplined sell-side and buy-side advisory engagements. The firm follows an institutional M&A process:
- Buyer Identification: Deep relationships with 1,000+ active strategic buyers and PE firms across all eight tech verticals.
- Competitive Process: Targets 30-80 qualified buyers per engagement depending on sector and company profile.
- Data Room & Disclosure: Comprehensive data room preparation, management quality presentation coaching, and buyer interaction facilitation.
- Closing Support: Legal coordination, post-close transition support.
Fee structure is negotiable but typically follows modified success fee models with optional retainers. Drake Star does not publish standard fee sheets; terms are customized by engagement size and complexity.
Buyer Network
The firm maintains relationships with:
- Strategic Buyers: Fortune 500 tech giants (Netflix, Equifax), major software platforms, PE-backed vertical SaaS consolidators.
- Private Equity: Multi-stage relationships including PSG (HR Tech focus), Alpine Investors, Insight Partners, Genstar, and 1,000+ additional PE firms.
- Growth Equity & Corporate Venture: Investors in growth-stage technology.
Deal flow reflects strong PE relationships (Equifax, Alpine, Insight Partners, PSG) alongside large strategics (Netflix, Shutterstock).
Competitive Positioning
Drake Star differentiates through:
- Sector Specialization — 100% tech focus with deep expertise in eight distinct verticals, not generalist banking.
- Institutional Research — Publishes sector reports (Gaming, Sports Tech, HR Tech, FinTech, etc.) that inform advisory work and provide market context.
- Process Discipline — Institutional-quality execution, competitive buyer processes, comprehensive data room management.
- Buyer Relationships — Curated relationships with 1,000+ active strategic and PE buyers.
- Team Continuity — Long-tenured teams with deep sector expertise; not transactional.
- Cross-Border Capability — Eight offices globally (NY, London, Paris, Munich, LA, SF, Berlin, Dubai) enabling international transactions.
Not a Fit If
Drake Star typically focuses on:
- Technology companies (100% tech-focused)
- Companies with $50M+ enterprise values
- Founder-led or VC-backed businesses
- Companies seeking strategic or financial buyer relationships
Non-tech companies, very early-stage pre-revenue startups, or private transactions may not be optimal fits.
Team
Drake Star maintains a team of 100+ senior professionals. Key team members across sectors include:
- Michael Metzger — Managing Partner, Digital Media & FinTech (Los Angeles)
- Eric Ward — Managing Partner, Sports Tech & SaaS (London)
- Gregory Bedrosian — Partner, SaaS & Infrastructure (New York)
- Mohit Pareek — Partner, Digital Media & FinTech (Los Angeles)
- Julian Ostertag — FinTech
- Julian Riedlbauer — FinTech (Germany)
- Josef Osterhammer — Multi-sector
Senior professionals average 15-20+ years of technology M&A experience.
Geographic Coverage
Global coverage with offices in New York, London, Paris, Munich, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Dubai. Strong presence in North America and Western Europe with emerging capability in EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
Founded & Growth
Founded in 2003 as a technology-focused advisor. Grew organically to become a top-tier global tech M&A boutique. Currently operates as Drake Star Partners Limited with FINRA-regulated subsidiary Drake Star Securities LLC in the USA (CRD# 131338).