Taureau Group Research
Taureau Group is an independent, operationally-minded M&A advisory firm specializing in lower-middle market transactions from $15M to $250M in enterprise value. Founded in 2017, the firm has completed 300+ transactions worth $4.5 billion in aggregate value. The team is composed entirely of former industry operators, business owners, engineers, accountants, and commercial bankers—bringing direct P&L experience rather than relying on theoretical playbooks.
The firm's distinctive thesis is that the best outcomes for business owners come when advisors combine rigorous financial discipline with hands-on operational expertise. Rather than running high-volume assembly-line processes, Taureau provides senior-level guidance at every stage, with multiple managing directors actively involved in each transaction. The firm explicitly de-emphasizes the bulge-bracket model and instead competes on operator insight, responsiveness, and the ability to structure nuanced deal solutions.
Taureau's sweet spot is founder-owned and family-controlled businesses where operational complexity or information asymmetry creates valuation uncertainty. The firm works with both corporate sellers exiting via strategic sale or PE recapitalization, and with private equity sponsors executing add-on acquisitions within platform companies. Typical engagement sizes cluster in the $25M-$150M range, though they take deals from $15M to $250M TEV.
The firm maintains core practices across manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and business services. Manufacturing is the primary focus, with particular depth in precision machining, contract manufacturing, metal fabrication, specialty chemicals, coatings, adhesives, and industrial components. Aerospace & Defense represents a sub-specialization, with the firm having closed deals involving precision aerospace suppliers and AS9100-certified machine shops. Technology & IT Services practice includes industrial software (IoT, MES), IT managed services providers, custom software development, and tech-enabled value-add distributors. Healthcare & Medical Devices work includes physician practice management groups, behavioral health platforms, and contract manufacturers of surgical instruments.
Taureau's four-phase sell-side process begins with preparation: financial analysis, development of a compelling Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM), and target research using proprietary sources and 200+ years of collective M&A experience to identify highly qualified buyers. Marketing follows with confidential outreach via NDAs, CIM distribution to vetted buyers, and systematic advancement of buyer interest. In the indication of interest phase, the firm compares non-binding IOIs from multiple buyers and negotiates management presentations. Finally, the firm negotiates LOI material terms, manages due diligence, coordinates data rooms, calculates working capital and indemnity, and negotiates relentlessly on behalf of sellers through closing.
The firm maintains relationships with 100+ private equity firms and strategic corporate buyers, including Main Street Capital Holdings, TA Associates, Chicago Capital Partners, and Generation Growth Capital. Named deal transactions tracked include PE acquisitions (150+ deals), strategic buyerdeals (100+ deals), ESOP transactions (15+ deals), and sponsor-backed acquisitions (20+ deals).
Recent transactions include: Marquette Energy Analytics (Milwaukee-based energy forecasting SaaS, 31 years old) sold to PowerGEM (TA Associates portfolio company) in June 2025; Trutron Corporation (Troy, MI precision aerospace machining, founded 1967) acquired by Compass Precision (Main Street Capital) in November 2025; Bradshaw Medical (Kenosha, WI surgical instrument manufacturer) acquired by In'Tech Medical (France-based); Wisconsin Metal Parts and Lean Manufacturing Products sold to SOLV Metals in January 2024; and BirdBrain Technologies acquired key assets of Strawbees in September 2025.
Other recent closings include transactions involving Jor-Mac Company (Mendota Group), OwnersEdge Inc./QComp Technologies (ESOP acquisition), Performance Stamping/Colfax Creek, Page Per Page/Chicago Capital Partners (recapitalization), M2M Machining/BTS5, Johnson Outdoors/Endless Summer Technologies, R&B Wagner/Midwest Stairs and Iron, and multiple others across manufacturing, healthcare, business services, and consumer products.
The firm does not publicly disclose fee schedules, but based on industry standards and its positioning as a middle-market advisor with senior-level involvement, engagements typically follow a modified Lehman structure with monthly retainers. The firm's PE Coverage Lead (Tom Venner, Vice President & Shareholder) manages private equity relationships and ability to activate networks on behalf of clients.
Taureau differentiates through operational credibility (managing directors with direct P&L experience), senior-level involvement in every engagement (unlike larger firms where associates run processes), deep Midwest roots and national reach, disciplined process rigor, and specialized industry depth in manufacturing and aerospace. The firm has earned recognition as Best USA M&A Solutions (Acquisition International), Sustained Excellence in Exit Planning, 2023 Axial Advisor 100, and multiple Best Places to Work awards.
The firm is led by two Managing Director/Founders: Ann Hanna (MBA, CPA) and Corey Vanderpoel (MBA). Senior team includes Michael Schroeder (Managing Director), Tyler Carlson (Managing Director), Tom Venner (VP/PE Coverage Lead), Nick Mydlach (Director), Jacob Meehan (VP), and Jake Mende (VP, CPA). Four Senior Operating Partners (Michael S. Erwin, Andrew Sannes JD, Jerry Pines, Jon Moreau) provide specialized expertise.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (320 East Buffalo Street), Taureau serves clients throughout the Midwest and nationally, with particular density in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The firm is particularly suited for founder-owned and family-controlled businesses in industrials, manufacturing, and adjacent sectors seeking a partner with deep operator insight and PE relationships.