Investiprise Research
Advisory Approach
Investiprise is a Montreal-based business brokerage firm founded in 2014 with a clear mission: to provide business owners with a confidential and reliable way to sell their commercial businesses, while offering expert guidance to prospective buyers seeking acquisition opportunities. The firm operates with a distinctive philosophy that sets it apart from traditional business brokers—rather than employing real estate agents or ex-bankers, most team members are former business owners who can relate directly to the challenges clients face.
The firm's thesis centers on education, collaboration, and confidentiality as core values. As members of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), Investiprise advisors stay current on industry trends through continuous training and networking with professionals worldwide. This approach ensures clients receive guidance from advisors who understand the emotional and practical complexities of business transitions.
Investiprise is part of the Business Succession Group, an international network of M&A firms advising privately held businesses with revenues between $3M-$50M on exit and acquisition strategies. This affiliation provides clients with access to a broader network of buyers and opportunities beyond the local Montreal market.
Sector Focus
Investiprise maintains a diversified sector focus, reflecting Montreal's vibrant and varied economy. Based on current listings and blog content, the firm has demonstrated expertise in several key areas:
Food & Beverage: The firm actively represents restaurants, cafés, specialty food retailers, and food service businesses. Montreal's reputation as a food destination makes this sector particularly active, with demand rising for health-focused dining, coffee shops, and international cuisine concepts.
Manufacturing & Industrial Services: Current listings include quartz manufacturing and installation facilities, construction trades businesses, and specialty manufacturing operations. The firm understands the unique valuation challenges and operational considerations of industrial businesses.
Business Services: Investiprise represents professional services firms including accounting, legal, marketing, and consulting practices. These businesses often have loyal, recurring client bases that require careful transition planning.
Health & Wellness: The firm handles spa and wellness center sales, capitalizing on growing consumer demand for health and wellness services in the Montreal region.
Retail & E-Commerce: From boutique retail stores to hybrid models combining storefronts with online operations, Investiprise advises retailers navigating the digital transformation of commerce.
Distribution & Logistics: The firm has represented specialty paper distributors and logistics businesses, understanding the relationship between supplier relationships and customer contracts in these sectors.
Deal Track Record
Investiprise claims to have facilitated over 10,000 business sales with a 98% purchaser success rate. While these figures likely represent cumulative team experience rather than transactions since the firm's 2014 founding, they demonstrate the team's extensive background in business transitions. The firm maintains 6 brokers with an average of 10+ years of individual experience.
Current active listings on BusinessesForSale.com include six opportunities ranging from $350,000 to $4,000,000 CAD, indicating the firm's focus on lower middle market transactions. The deal size sweet spot appears to be businesses valued between $500,000 and $3,000,000 CAD (approximately $375,000 to $2,250,000 USD), which aligns with their Business Succession Group membership targeting businesses with $3M-$50M in revenue.
Process & Fee Structure
Investiprise runs a structured, confidential sell-side process that includes:
- Valuation: Establishing the Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) using advanced software data and industry experience
- Preparation: Helping owners position their businesses for sale, including financial preparation and operational improvements
- Marketing: Confidential listing with vetted buyer access—many opportunities are never publicly advertised
- Buyer Vetting: Rigorous screening to ensure potential buyers are serious, culturally aligned, and financially qualified
- Negotiation: Collaborative negotiation processes that seek win-win outcomes for all parties
- Closing: Coordination with accountants, lawyers, and other professionals to ensure smooth transitions
Regarding fees, Investiprise follows standard business brokerage practices. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, typical business broker commissions range from 8-12% for smaller deals under $1M, with the percentage often decreasing for larger transactions. Some brokers may charge upfront fees between $2,500 and $25,000, though many work on straight commission. Given the firm's focus on businesses under $3M CAD, clients should expect success fees in the 10-15% range of the sale price, potentially with a modest upfront retainer.
Buyer Network
Investiprise maintains access to buyers through multiple channels:
- Business Succession Group Network: As part of this international M&A network, Investiprise can connect sellers with pre-qualified buyers seeking businesses in the $3M-$50M revenue range
- IBBA Membership: The International Business Brokers Association provides access to a global network of business brokers and their buyer clients
- Local & Regional Buyers: The firm has deep connections in the Montreal business community and across Eastern Canada
- Off-Market Buyers: Many transactions involve buyers who are not actively searching but are open to the right opportunity
The buyer network appears to include individual buyers, entrepreneurs seeking acquisitions, and smaller private equity groups focused on the lower middle market. Unlike investment banks that focus heavily on institutional private equity buyers, Investiprise's buyer pool likely includes more individual buyers, family offices, and regional strategic acquirers.
Competitive Positioning
Investiprise differentiates itself through several key factors:
- Former Business Owners: Most team members are former business owners rather than career bankers, allowing them to relate to sellers on a personal level
- Bilingual Capability: Operating in Montreal, the team serves both English and French-speaking markets, a critical advantage in Quebec
- Confidentiality Focus: The firm emphasizes rigorous confidentiality processes, protecting business stability during sale processes
- Market Education: Through blog content, videos, and social media, Investiprise educates the market on business transitions, positioning themselves as thought leaders
- Integrated Real Estate Services: The firm complements brokerage services with fully licensed commercial real estate capabilities
Not a Fit If
Based on the firm's positioning and deal size focus, Investiprise is likely not a fit for:
- Businesses valued under $350,000 CAD or over $5M CAD (outside their sweet spot)
- Public companies or highly regulated industries requiring specialized expertise
- Cross-border transactions involving U.S. regulatory complexities (they are Canada-focused)
- Sellers seeking institutional private equity buyers exclusively (their network appears more individual/strategic buyer focused)
- Businesses requiring complex restructuring or turnarounds prior to sale
Team
Ron Wiebe, C.B.I., A.E.O. — Founder-President Ron founded Investiprise with the belief that entrepreneurs deserve professional, affordable service they can trust. He maintains active involvement in ongoing business brokerage and commercial real estate education. Ron leads the firm's strategic direction and client relationships.
Steve Schmidt, MBA, CBI — Business Intermediary Steve brings diverse experience including corporate semiconductor sales, ownership of a cabinet manufacturing business, and extensive non-profit board service. Bilingual in English and French, Steve is described as a dedicated networker and skilled communicator who facilitates collaborative negotiations. He holds an MBA from Concordia University.
Amiram Ehrlich — Business Intermediary With 25 years of entrepreneurial, business ownership, and consulting experience, Amiram specializes in optimizing operations, implementing growth strategies, and preparing owners for exits. He has been actively involved in buy/sell transactions for small to medium-sized companies, covering both asset and share purchases.
The team comprises approximately 6 professionals, with individual brokers averaging 10+ years of experience. As IBBA members in good standing, all advisors maintain current certifications and participate in ongoing education.
Geographic Coverage
Investiprise is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec at 7493 Trans-Canada Highway, Suite 104. The firm serves Eastern Canada with primary focus on the Greater Montreal Area. Service locations include:
- Montreal (Central, West, East Island)
- Laval
- Quebec City
- Ottawa/Gatineau region
- Other regions across Eastern Canada
The firm's bilingual capability is a significant competitive advantage in serving Quebec's French-speaking business community while also connecting with English-speaking buyers from across Canada and internationally.