Valens M&A Research
Advisory Approach
Valens M&A is a Wisconsin-based sell-side M&A advisory firm specializing in confidential transactions for lower middle-market business owners across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The firm operates with a seller-focused thesis emphasizing structured processes, regulatory compliance, and strategic buyer positioning. Founded on principles of integrity and professionalism, Valens M&A combines deep industry knowledge with institutional-quality deal management, positioning clients to maximize exit value while maintaining confidentiality throughout the sales process.
The firm's managing director, Ed Krajcir, brings nearly 20 years of M&A experience and has been involved in over 200 transactions. This depth of experience informs their approach to managing complex deal dynamics, from initial valuation through closing. The advisory team emphasizes that business owners often face significant uncertainty about timing, valuation, and buyer fit—and Valens' role is to convert that uncertainty into confidence through expert guidance, clear expectations, and a structured roadmap.
Sector Focus & Industry Expertise
Valens M&A maintains active practices across six primary industry verticals:
Manufacturing represents a core strength. The team has deep expertise in precision machining, CNC operations, tool & die manufacturing, plastics molding, metal fabrication, and industrial equipment manufacturing. Their approach accounts for the unique complexities of manufacturing sales: equipment appraisals, capital asset valuations, EPA/environmental compliance, skilled labor retention, customer contract concentration, and union considerations. They understand that manufacturing valuations depend critically on accurate assessments of machinery, production capacity, maintenance histories, and the ability to retain key personnel and customer relationships through transition.
Healthcare has become increasingly important to the practice, with dedicated expertise across dental practices (general and specialty), medical clinics, behavioral health providers, ambulatory surgery centers, home health and hospice agencies, and healthcare ancillary services (imaging, labs, physical therapy). Steve Boylan, who formerly specialized in healthcare and dental transactions at Beacon Business Group before merging with Valens in 2022, brings specialized knowledge in healthcare regulatory compliance, payer contracting, provider relationships, and the unique valuation drivers of healthcare businesses.
Business Services includes professional services firms, staffing, and consulting—where Valens has facilitated transactions such as the JSD Professional Services Inc. merger facilitated by Boylan in November 2024.
Additional industries served include agriculture, technology (particularly industrial software and IoT), construction & trades, and logistics & transportation. This breadth allows Valens to serve diverse business owners while maintaining sufficient depth in each vertical to understand industry-specific risk factors, buyer preferences, and valuation drivers.
Deal Track Record & Transaction Experience
While Valens M&A does not publicly disclose a detailed tombstone list, the firm has demonstrated transaction execution across their primary markets. Confirmed deals include:
- JSD Professional Services Inc. transaction (Professional Services/Construction) - Facilitated by Steve Boylan, November 2024, merger with CJ Engineering
The firm's leadership carries substantial transaction experience: Ed Krajcir's involvement in 200+ transactions prior to launching Valens demonstrates deep market knowledge. Additionally, Ed Krajcir serves as Managing Director of Valens Capital Fund 1, a private equity platform focused on healthcare consolidation and add-on acquisitions, which provides Valens M&A advisors insight into PE buyer criteria, valuation expectations, and the post-acquisition value creation that interests financial sponsors.
Valens emphasizes their 10-step confidential process, which includes initial consultation, business value analysis, engagement agreement, confidential marketing, buyer qualification, NDAs, management presentations, due diligence support, and closing coordination. This structured process typically requires 6–12 months from engagement to closing, depending on deal complexity, industry, and market conditions.
Process & Fee Structure
Valens M&A runs a disciplined, seller-focused M&A process designed to maximize confidentiality while attracting qualified buyers. Their 10-step methodology includes:
- Initial consultation to understand goals and timing
- Confidential Business Value Analysis for objective market valuation
- Engagement Agreement outlining roles and fees
- Value optimization and business readiness review
- Strategic buyer targeting and prospect qualification
- Controlled, confidential marketing through direct outreach
- NDA-protected buyer introductions and management meetings
- Due diligence preparation and support
- Negotiation and deal structuring
- Closing coordination and post-closing support
The firm does not publish standard fee schedules but indicates willingness to tailor fee arrangements based on deal size and complexity. Their positioning emphasizes that fees are credited against exit value through better buyer matching and negotiation, suggesting a modified Lehman-style approach or negotiable structure based on transaction specifics.
Competitive Positioning
Valens M&A differentiates from other advisory firms through several key factors:
Exclusive sell-side focus — The firm specializes solely in sell-side advisory (supporting sellers), not buy-side work, ensuring alignment with client interests throughout the process.
Industry expertise — Deep knowledge of manufacturing, healthcare, and business services allows for more sophisticated buyer targeting, valuation analysis, and risk mitigation than generalist advisors.
Confidentiality discipline — The firm emphasizes confidential processes, controlled buyer introductions, and NDA protections to prevent information leakage to employees, competitors, or customers.
Seller advocacy — Client testimonials highlight Valens' ability to communicate complex deal points clearly, advocate aggressively in negotiations, and achieve better terms than owners anticipated.
Process rigor — The 10-step methodology ensures systematic preparation, thorough buyer outreach, and professional deal management.
Post-acquisition intelligence — Ed Krajcir's involvement in Valens Capital Fund 1 gives the team firsthand understanding of PE buyer expectations, value creation strategies, and add-on acquisition criteria.
Not a Fit If
Valens M&A is typically not a fit for:
- Asset sales or pure liquidations (they focus on going-concern enterprises)
- Businesses with significant pending litigation or compliance issues
- Owners seeking extremely quick exits or limited buyer processes
- Sellers below approximately $1M in revenue (minimum size threshold)
- Transactions outside their geographic focus (Wisconsin, Northern Illinois)
Team
Valens M&A operates with approximately six senior professionals:
Ed Krajcir — Managing Director, bringing 20+ years of M&A experience and involvement in 200+ transactions. Also Managing Director of Valens Capital Fund 1 (healthcare-focused PE platform). Emphasizes high standards of professionalism and client advocacy.
Steve Boylan — M&A Advisor, specializing in healthcare and dental practice transactions. Founded Beacon Business Group in 2006 (managing director of investment banking prior to merger with Valens in 2022). Brings transaction experience across healthcare, manufacturing, and business services.
Mark Kuether — M&A Advisor
Craig Evans — M&A Advisor
Aaron Somero — M&A Advisor
Jessie Pavloski — Senior Credit Analyst, supporting financial analysis and due diligence.
The team averages strong credentials in M&A advisory, with several advisors holding professional certifications (CBI) and maintaining active involvement in industry associations (IBBA, MBBI). The firm emphasizes continuity of relationship management throughout transactions, with lead advisors typically remaining engaged from initial consultation through closing.
Geographic Coverage
Valens M&A operates primarily across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, with particular strength in major metro markets (Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago). The firm maintains offices at 125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302, Brookfield, WI 53005.
Market Positioning & Recent Activity
Valens M&A has demonstrated growth and market activity in 2023–2025. The May 2023 announcement of Steve Boylan's arrival marked a significant expansion into healthcare/dental specialization and regional market consolidation (merger of Beacon Business Group with Valens). This integration combined Boylan's 20-year healthcare expertise with Valens' manufacturing and business services practices, broadening the firm's appeal to healthcare sellers while leveraging Beacon's client relationships.
The firm's emphasis on confidential processes, institutional deal management, and buyer network strength positions them to serve business owners throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois who seek to maximize exit value while minimizing disruption to operations and stakeholder relationships.