Jahani and Associates Research
Advisory Approach
Jahani and Associates (J&A) is a privately held global investment bank headquartered in New York City with a distinctive cross-border focus. The firm's thesis centers on bridging capital and strategic opportunities between Western markets and the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. J&A differentiates itself through deep regional connections and cultural fluency in markets where many traditional investment banks lack on-the-ground presence.
The firm approaches client relationships as true partnerships, providing independent, unconflicted advice that makes them uniquely suited to consult boards of directors and special committees. Their international team offers a comprehensive suite of services including M&A advisory, private placements, fund advisory, valuation services, and CFO advisory.
Sector Focus
J&A maintains active practices across several key sectors:
Technology & Industrial IoT: The firm has demonstrated particular expertise in industrial IoT (IIoT), enterprise IoT device solutions, electronics and embedded systems, and business connectivity platforms. Their published sector research covers hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, semiconductor inspection, and automated optical technologies.
Healthcare Services: J&A advises healthcare revenue cycle management companies, durable medical equipment providers, digital patient intake platforms, and clinical workflow software companies. Their understanding of healthcare technology positioning and valuation drivers in this sector is evidenced by multiple closed transactions and published sector analyses.
Manufacturing & Industrial: The firm works with fiber optics cable manufacturers, industrial printing and packaging technology companies, climate control systems providers, and mass transit components suppliers. Their manufacturing practice extends to precision machining and automotive electrification technologies.
Business & Financial Services: J&A has completed transactions in business process outsourcing (BPO), logistics technology platforms, and financial services. Notable work includes the exclusive financial advisory role in the sale of Emerge BPO to iTel.
Cross-Border & Emerging Markets: A core differentiator is J&A's expertise in facilitating transactions between US/European sellers and Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian buyers. The firm has advised on joint ventures between Dubai-based logistics firms and ASEAN holding companies, and has facilitated investments from Abu Dhabi-based entities like IHC and Multiply Group into venture-backed technology companies.
Deal Track Record
Jahani and Associates has completed and facilitated numerous transactions spanning multiple years:
Notable Closed Transactions:
- Emerge BPO sale to iTel (July 2021) – J&A served as exclusive financial advisor
- Nexersys commercial sales expansion in MENA, Southeast Asia, and South Asia (February 2021)
- DDM Systems funding with Abu Dhabi-based angel group (January 2021)
- Dubai-based logistics firm joint venture with ASEAN holding company (January 2021)
- IHC growth equity investment in venture-backed technology company (April 2021)
- ScanMed partnership transaction with DirectMed Parts & Service and NMS Capital (October 2022)
- Michael Taylor Design European expansion deal with Jordi Designs (October 2022)
- Massed Compute $2M credit facility (March 2023)
Pending and Recently Announced Transactions (2023-2024):
- USA-based IIoT solutions provider $13.5M buyout offer (September 2023)
- USA-based electric vehicle charging company $5M bridge loan for public listing (July 2023)
- German-based airline ticket aggregator $100M credit facility from USA-based private lender (March 2023)
- German sports media technology company $2M seed round term sheet (November 2023)
- USA-based fiber optics cable manufacturer multiple transactions including $15M acquisition offer and $10M bridge loan (November 2023, January 2024)
- France-based systems integrator control transaction (July 2024)
- USA-based IIoT company change of control definitive agreements (July 2024)
- UK-based travel technology company acquisition by North American entity (June 2024)
- USA-based healthcare revenue cycle management company buyout offers (June 2024)
The firm's transaction sizes range from $2M to $100M, with most transactions falling in the $5M-$50M range, positioning them squarely in the lower middle market.
Process & Fee Structure
J&A runs institutional-quality processes adapted for cross-border transactions. Their approach emphasizes:
- Exhaustive buyer outreach leveraging their proprietary network of Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and Latin American capital sources
- Cultural and regulatory navigation for international transactions
- Comprehensive valuation work incorporating both Western and emerging market methodologies
- Management presentation coaching and data room preparation
The firm requires exclusivity for sell-side engagements. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, J&A likely employs standard investment banking success fee models (typically Lehman or modified Lehman formulas) combined with monthly retainers to cover engagement costs.
Buyer Network
J&A's competitive advantage lies in its differentiated buyer network:
Middle East Capital: Strong relationships with sovereign wealth entities, family offices, and investment groups in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai), Saudi Arabia, and broader GCC region. Transactions feature buyers like IHC (Abu Dhabi), Multiply Group, and regional angel groups.
Southeast Asia Access: Connections to ASEAN-based holding companies, Singaporean family offices, and regional strategic buyers. The firm facilitates joint ventures and acquisitions between Western sellers and Asian buyers.
Latin America Links: The firm maintains connections in Latin American markets for cross-border transactions.
Traditional PE & Strategics: J&A also works with traditional North American and European private equity firms and strategic acquirers for domestic transactions.
Competitive Positioning
Jahani and Associates differentiates through:
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Cross-Border Expertise: Few investment banks can match J&A's combination of Western banking discipline with deep relationships in emerging capital markets, particularly the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
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Cultural Fluency: The firm's team understands the business practices, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances of doing cross-border transactions, reducing friction and execution risk.
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Thought Leadership: Joshua Jahani maintains a high-profile media presence, contributing to Bloomberg, Newsweek, TechCrunch, Independent, and other major publications on topics including fintech, cryptocurrency, energy transition, and Middle East economics.
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Comprehensive Service Offering: Beyond M&A, J&A provides capital placement, valuation, CFO advisory, and business advisory services, enabling them to support companies throughout their lifecycle.
Not a Fit If
J&A typically declines:
- Transactions below $2M enterprise value
- Purely domestic deals where the seller lacks interest in international buyers
- Businesses requiring heavy restructuring (the firm focuses on going-concern transactions)
- Situations demanding sector expertise outside their core practice areas
Team
Key Leadership:
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Joshua Jahani – Managing Director. Oversees the firm's business operations including client service, delivery, thought leadership, and investment banking compliance. Joshua is a frequent commentator in major financial media outlets on topics spanning cryptocurrency, energy policy, Middle East economics, and technology policy.
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Saeed Al Darmaki – Board Advisor. Co-founder of Alphabit Fund, one of the largest and most influential global digital asset investment funds. Advisor to the MENA Fintech Association, a global organization focused on developing technology in the GCC region.
The firm maintains a team of approximately 20 professionals across its offices in New York, with affiliations and presence in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Latin America.
Geographic Coverage
Primary Office: New York, NY (641 Lexington Ave, 15th Floor)
Regional Presence: The firm maintains operational presence and relationships in:
- Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, broader GCC)
- Southeast Asia (Singapore, ASEAN region)
- Latin America
- Europe (UK, France, Germany for transaction sourcing)
This multi-regional footprint enables J&A to source capital and strategic buyers from emerging markets while maintaining the rigorous standards expected in Western financial centers.