Telegraph Hill Advisors Research
Advisory Approach
Telegraph Hill Advisors is a technology-focused boutique investment bank founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Boston. The firm operates with a clear thesis: exceptional outcomes for technology entrepreneurs and investors come from deep sector expertise combined with exhaustive market access and institutional-grade transaction execution. THA's approach emphasizes long-term relationship building, hands-on senior banker involvement, and an intimate understanding of technology market dynamics, buyer preferences, and valuation drivers across multiple segments of the tech ecosystem.
The firm distinguishes itself through what it calls "the best big bank talent, experience, smarts, and reach, combined with a boutique's focus, senior banker attention, and exceptional client service." This positioning reflects their competitive posture—they recruit senior, experienced investment bankers from large institutions (many with 20+ years of investment banking experience) but deliver the personalized attention and accessibility that founder-led and emerging growth companies expect from smaller advisory boutiques.
Sector Focus & Expertise
Telegraph Hill Advisors specializes exclusively in technology and technology-enabled services across seven core sector verticals:
Enterprise Software & SaaS represents the firm's deepest expertise area. They advise on transactions involving business software platforms, cloud-based applications, and software-as-a-service providers targeting enterprise and mid-market buyers. Recent transactions include the acquisition of OpsVeda (AI-powered operational platform) by Aptean in January 2026.
AI/ML & Advanced Analytics is a rapidly expanding practice area reflecting market tailwinds. The firm has completed multiple AI/ML transactions including the acquisition of Shaip (specialized AI data platform and services company) by Ubiquity in February 2026, backed by BV Investment Partners. They have also served as advisors on AI-powered operational software and data intelligence platforms.
Communications Technology & IoT reflects deep expertise in connected devices, infrastructure, and communications platforms. The firm has advised on multiple IoT hardware and software transactions, including expertise in communications protocol companies, device management platforms, and networked systems.
Digital Media covers digital content creation, distribution, and consumption platforms, including streaming, content management, and digital publishing technologies.
Infrastructure Software includes databases, middleware, developer tools, IT operations, and system management software serving engineering and operations teams.
IT & Technology-Enabled Services encompasses managed IT services, technology staffing, IT consulting, and outsourced technology operations.
Marketing Technology & eCommerce focuses on digital marketing platforms, customer acquisition, e-commerce technology, and related SaaS applications. The firm served as exclusive advisor to Phone.com in its acquisition by Ooma (communications platform) in December 2025 for $23.2 million.
Deal Track Record & Transaction History
Telegraph Hill Advisors has completed more than 250 M&A, capital raising, and financial advisory transactions across the technology ecosystem. The firm's managing directors have extensive transaction execution experience spanning 15-25+ years in technology investment banking.
Recent transaction highlights demonstrate active deal flow and sector relevance:
- Shaip (AI data platform) → Ubiquity (digital transformation provider) - February 2026. Sell-side advisor. Transaction expanded Ubiquity's AI and data capabilities.
- OpsVeda (AI-powered operations software) → Aptean (enterprise software platform) - January 2026. Exclusive sell-side advisor. Strengthened Aptean's agentic AI orchestration capabilities.
- Phone.com (hosted PBX and business communications) → Ooma (cloud communications platform) - December 2025, $23.2M enterprise value. Exclusive sell-side advisor.
- Inertial Sense (IoT sensor technology for navigation and motion tracking) → Hexagon (global leader in digital manufacturing solutions) - November 2025. Exclusive advisor.
- Auto-Graphics Inc. (software provider) - Acquired in April 2025. Acting as financial advisor.
- Yantra (operational software) → Riveron/Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) - July 2024. Sell-side advisor. Founder Vikram Bhandari's testimonial noted THA's expertise in identifying the right strategic buyer with cultural alignment and growth platform.
- Bsquare Corporation (embedded software and IoT solutions) - Advised on strategic transaction and financing.
The firm maintains active relationships with top global technology strategic acquirers including Activision, Appier, Apple, Citrix, Hexagon, HID, Intel, Juniper, Ooma, Oracle, Qlik, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snap, TDK, Tech Mahindra, ZoomInfo, and Zynga. Additionally, the firm has deep relationships with leading private equity sponsors, having executed transactions involving firms like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, BV Investment Partners, and others.
Process & Fee Structure
Telegraph Hill Advisors runs institutional-quality M&A processes. The firm emphasizes comprehensive market outreach, competitive dynamics generation, and senior-level involvement throughout. Services include:
- Mergers & Acquisitions advisory: Sell-side, buy-side, and fairness opinions
- Capital Markets Advisory: Capital raising, financing advisory, and debt placement
- Non-core Divestitures: Separation and spin-off advisory
- Board Advisory Services: Strategic transaction and governance advisory
- Valuation & Fairness Opinions: Independent valuation expertise
The firm does not publicly disclose standard fee structures, which is common among boutique investment banks. Engagements typically involve a retainer component credited against transaction success fees, though specific terms are negotiated case-by-case based on deal size, complexity, and engagement scope.
Buyer Network & Strategic Positioning
Telegraph Hill Advisors has built an extensive buyer network across strategic acquirers and private equity sponsors active in technology acquisitions. The firm's transaction history shows strong relationships with:
- Strategic Technology Acquirers: Apple, Salesforce, Oracle, Intel, Snap, ServiceNow, Qlik, ZoomInfo and others - primarily Fortune 500 and large-cap tech companies acquiring bolt-on and platform technologies.
- Private Equity Sponsors: Deep relationships with mid-market and lower-middle-market PE firms, evident from transactions like the Yantra/KKR deal and BV Investment Partners-backed acquisitions.
- International Acquirers: More than 40% of transactions in the last three years involved international counterparties, indicating cross-border buyer relationships spanning Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
The firm's advisory approach emphasizes creating competitive tension among multiple buyers to drive premium valuations. Client testimonials consistently highlight THA's ability to bring "the right kind of buyer" to the table and architect processes that deliver optimal outcomes.
Team & Professional Background
Telegraph Hill Advisors' managing directors bring 15-25+ years of technology sector investment banking experience, with many recruited from larger institutions.
Key Leadership:
- Phillip Bradley Courten - Founder and Managing Director, CRD#1567814. Extensive investment banking background in technology transactions.
- Scott Patrick Sutherland - Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer, CRD#2314007. Senior banker with deep technology sector expertise.
- Elizabeth Sarah Collins - CFO and Financial Operations Officer, CRD#4714831.
- Dinesh Hiranand Moorjani - Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Technology Officer, CRD#4707629.
Additionally, the firm's professional team includes bankers with specialized expertise in specific sectors—for instance, Amanda Nasser and colleagues have developed deep expertise in AI/ML transactions, and other team members have led the communications technology, IoT, and enterprise software practices.
The firm maintains a compact, senior-focused team structure typical of boutique investment banks—emphasis on hands-on managing director involvement rather than analyst-driven processes.
Geographic Coverage & International Capability
Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Los Angeles and Boston. The firm serves technology companies across North America and has significant international deal experience, with demonstrated relationships across EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. Cross-border transactions represent a material portion of business (40%+ in recent years), indicating established processes and buyer relationships for international M&A.
Competitive Differentiation
Telegraph Hill Advisors differentiates through:
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Technology Sector Specialization - Unlike generalist M&A advisory firms, THA focuses exclusively on technology, allowing deep knowledge of buyer preferences, market dynamics, valuation drivers, and emerging trends (e.g., agentic AI adoption).
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Senior Banker Accessibility - Managing directors lead engagements and maintain direct client relationships, avoiding the analyst-driven process common at larger investment banks.
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Institutional Buyer Access - Extensive relationships with Fortune 500 tech acquirers and leading PE sponsors, combined with active international buyer network.
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Domain Knowledge - Team brings operational understanding of technology business models, go-to-market strategies, and technology maturation cycles. This enables more credible positioning of technology assets to buyers.
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Valuation Expertise - Managers understand technology metrics (ARR, CAC, LTV, net retention, burn rate, payback periods) and how acquirers evaluate tech assets.
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Process Excellence - Structured processes, data room management, buyer coordination, and attention to deal mechanics drive institutional-quality outcomes.
Regulatory Standing
Telegraph Hill Advisors is a FINRA-regulated broker-dealer (Telegraph Hill BD LLC, CRD#297701, SEC#8-70171) established December 13, 2019. The firm is licensed to conduct business in California and Massachusetts, operates from San Francisco district FINRA office, and maintains zero regulatory disclosures as of March 2026. This regulatory status indicates institutional-grade compliance and governance.
Not a Fit If
Telegraph Hill Advisors is not a fit for:
- Non-technology sectors (manufacturing, healthcare services, business services, energy, etc.) - they focus exclusively on technology
- Transactions below approximately $10M enterprise value where fee economics don't justify engagement
- Asset-only sales or pure intellectual property licensing transactions
- Situations requiring broad cross-sector buyer expertise or PE sponsor relationships outside of tech-focused firms
Testimonials & Client Validation
Clients consistently highlight the firm's transaction execution excellence and sector expertise. Founder-led companies praise THA for helping them "identify the right kind of buyer" and structuring processes that deliver cultural fit alongside valuation premiums. Corporate CFOs (Sierra Wireless) cite THA's expertise in technology carveouts, ability to manage complex processes, and "strong execution skills." CEO testimonials emphasize negotiating skills, attention to detail, and commitment to successful outcomes.
Summary
Telegraph Hill Advisors is a specialized, technology-exclusive investment bank serving emerging growth and mid-market technology companies, their founders, and investors. The firm has completed 250+ transactions, maintains deep relationships with top technology acquirers and PE sponsors, and brings institutional-grade process discipline combined with boutique-level senior banker attention. The firm's positioning as "the best big bank talent with boutique focus" and exclusive focus on technology make it well-suited for venture-backed, growth-stage, and founder-led software, AI/ML, IoT, communications technology, and digital media companies seeking sell-side advisory.