Touchstone Advisors
Touchstone Advisors is a Connecticut-based boutique M&A advisory firm serving lower middle market business owners ($10M–$100M+ revenue) across the Northeast US, with 500+ completed transactions over 20+ years and sell-side advisory, valuation, and investment banking services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersHartford, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Touchstone Advisors does
Touchstone Advisors is a privately held boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm headquartered in Clinton, Connecticut, serving owners of lower middle market companies — typically businesses with $10 million to over $100 million in revenue — across the Northeast United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island) with nationwide transaction capabilities. Founded in 2004, the firm reports more than 500 completed M&A transactions over 20+ years and structures its services around three core offerings: sell-side Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory, an Estimate of Value (EOV) valuation engagement, and Investment Banking services delivered through an affiliated broker-dealer, Ceiba Financial, LLC (a FINRA/SIPC member). The firm monetizes almost entirely on transaction-based success fees typical of sell-side mandates, supplemented by professional services fees for valuation work.
The firm differentiates through a proprietary 10-step Exit Advantage program that engages business owners 2–5 years before a planned sale, a structured 4-Phase Sell-Side Process for transaction execution, and senior-advisor-led engagement on every mandate. Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, leveraging industry associations (XPX, ACG, M&A Source, Cornerstone International Alliance), referral networks, and educational content (Touchstone Talks podcast, Touchstone University). Underlying technology is conventional: standard Virtual Data Rooms for due diligence and off-the-shelf financial analysis tools, with no proprietary platform or AI/ML components disclosed. Customer segments are diversified across healthcare, food distribution, manufacturing, B2B services, construction, and engineering, reducing any single-client concentration risk.
Touchstone Advisors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Touchstone Advisors
- Legal name
- Touchstone Advisors
- Website
- https://touchstoneadvisors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Touchstone Advisors is a Connecticut-based boutique M&A advisory firm serving lower middle market business owners ($10M–$100M+ revenue) across the Northeast US, with 500+ completed transactions over 20+ years and sell-side advisory, valuation, and investment banking services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Touchstone Advisors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- M&A Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sell-Side M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Buy-Side M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAB), M&A Advisory (Buy-Side & Sell-Side) (BPAHAOAA), Corporate Finance Advisory (Strategic Finance, Capital Structure & Recaps) (FSAEAGAE)
Keywords
Where Touchstone Advisors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hartford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Touchstone Advisors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- M&A Advisory Services: Transaction-based merger and acquisition advisory fees for sell-side engagements. The firm provides comprehensive M&A advisory services including business valuation, buyer identification, deal structuring, negotiation support, and transaction execution for lower middle market companies.
- Investment Banking Services: Investment banking services provided through Ceiba Financial, LLC, an independent broker-dealer and FINRA/SIPC member. Touchstone provides personalized investment banking services with a focus on integrity and ethical conduct.
- Estimate of Value (EOV): Cost-effective business valuation service that provides owners with a realistic understanding of their company's value in today's marketplace. The EOV evaluates company financials and value proposition to provide timely, valuable information for informed business decisions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Estimate of Value (EOV) - Cost-effective business valuation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Touchstone Advisors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Touchstone Advisors is a boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that helps lower middle market business owners prepare for and execute the sale of their companies. Core services include sell-side M&A advisory, business valuations through the Estimate of Value (EOV), investment banking services delivered through Ceiba Financial, LLC, and the proprietary Exit Advantage 10-step exit planning program for owners 2-5 years from a transaction.
Product overview
Touchstone Advisors is a boutique M&A advisory firm serving the lower middle market. The firm operates as a single unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings include Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory (providing strategic guidance through the entire transaction process), Estimate of Value (EOV) for business valuation, and Investment Banking services through its affiliated broker-dealer Ceiba Financial. These are supported by proprietary programs including the Exit Advantage Program (a 10-step exit planning methodology) and educational content through Touchstone Talks Podcast and Touchstone University. The firm combines hands-on leadership, experienced advisor attention, and a disciplined transaction process to help business owners maximize value when selling their companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Exit Advantage: Proprietary 10-step program designed for business owners planning to exit in the next 2 to 5 years or beyond, helping prepare companies for sale, protect legacy, and maximize value
Products and services
- Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory Sell-side and strategic mergers and acquisition advisory services for lower middle market business owners, providing decades of professional M&A experience across multiple industries to identify the best transaction path and execute the deal from preparation through closing.
- Estimate of Value (EOV)
Quantifiable outcome
- 500+ completed M&A transactions over 20+ years of operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Touchstone Advisors
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Touchstone Advisors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Touchstone Advisors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Cornerstone International AllianceflagshipCornerstone International Alliance (CIA) is a consortium of top lower middle market M&A firms worldwide. CIA provides training resources, industry expertise, best practices, and local market knowledge to help member firms execute deals at the highest level. Touchstone Advisors received the 2024 Founders Club Award recognizing outstanding achievements in lower middle market M&A.
- The M&A SourceflagshipThe M&A Source is the leading professional trade association for lower middle market business intermediaries. It provides professional education, networking opportunities, events, and awards including the prestigious Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) certification. Touchstone Advisors team members hold M&AMI certifications and Deborah Agrafojo received the Platinum Club Award.
- Connecticut Exit Planning Exchange (XPX)coreXPX is a community of trusted advisers to privately-held businesses. Steven Pappas served as former President of Connecticut XPX. XPX provides networking and educational opportunities for M&A and exit planning professionals serving business owners.
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)coreACG is a global association of professionals involved in mergers and acquisitions. Steven Pappas served as former President of Connecticut ACG, providing networking and professional development opportunities within the M&A industry.
- New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA)minorNHMA is an active association of business owners and advisors in the New Haven region. Steven Pappas is a member, providing networking and industry knowledge exchange opportunities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Touchstone Advisors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Generational Equity: One of the largest lower middle market M&A advisory firms in the US, focused on sell-side engagements for companies typically in the $10M-$250M revenue range. Directly comparable business model, target market, and transaction-fee revenue structure.
- Succession Advisors: Boutique lower middle market M&A intermediary focused on exit planning and business sale transactions for closely held companies. Highly comparable service offering, buyer sourcing approach, and fee model.
- Morgan & Westfield: M&A advisory firm specializing in lower middle market business sales, mergers, and exit planning with a similar advisor-led, relationship-driven model serving closely held businesses.
- Calder Associates: Boutique lower middle market M&A advisory firm specializing in sell-side engagements for privately held businesses, with comparable target company size and similar Northeast/mid-Atlantic presence.
Broad incumbents
- Houlihan Lokey: Global investment bank with a significant middle market M&A advisory practice. Competes for the upper end of Touchstone's target market and offers overlapping sell-side and valuation services, though at larger transaction sizes.
- Harris Williams: Large middle market M&A advisor with sector-specialized practices. Represents the next tier up from boutique LMM advisors like Touchstone, competing for the same private business owner clients seeking premium valuations.
- Lincoln International: Global middle market investment bank with active M&A advisory practice serving privately held businesses and PE-backed companies. Provides overlapping sell-side and valuation advisory services at higher transaction values.
- Cascadia Capital: Middle market M&A advisory firm with sector-focused practices. Overlaps with Touchstone in advising privately held businesses on sell-side transactions, though typically at the larger end of the middle market.
Regional players
- EdgePoint M&A Advisors: Lower middle market M&A advisory firm serving business owners across multiple US regions with comparable service offerings. Similar boutique structure and target market, providing relevant competitive benchmarking.
Others
- M&A Source: Industry trade association for lower middle market intermediaries of which Touchstone is a member. Not a direct competitor but provides peer benchmarking, deal referrals, and the M&AMI certification framework relevant to Touchstone's positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Touchstone Advisors social profiles
Digital presenceTouchstone Advisors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Touchstone Advisors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Touchstone Advisors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Touchstone Advisors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Touchstone Advisors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Touchstone Advisors
What does Touchstone Advisors do?
Touchstone Advisors is a boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that helps lower middle market business owners prepare for and execute the sale of their companies. Core services include sell-side M&A advisory, business valuations through the Estimate of Value (EOV), investment banking services delivered through Ceiba Financial, LLC, and the proprietary Exit Advantage 10-step exit planning program for owners 2-5 years from a transaction.
Is Touchstone Advisors a public or private company?
Touchstone Advisors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Touchstone Advisors founded?
Touchstone Advisors was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Touchstone Advisors based?
Touchstone Advisors is headquartered in Hartford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Touchstone Advisors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. M&A Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are investment Banking Services and estimate of Value (EOV).
Who are Touchstone Advisors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Generational Equity, Succession Advisors, Morgan & Westfield and Calder Associates. Broad incumbents are Houlihan Lokey, Harris Williams, Lincoln International and Cascadia Capital. EdgePoint M&A Advisors is listed as a regional player. M&A Source is listed as an others.
Does Touchstone Advisors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Touchstone Advisors.
What industry is Touchstone Advisors in?
Touchstone Advisors's product category is M&A Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAGAA, Sell-Side M&A Advisory, with a secondary code of FSAEAGAB, Buy-Side M&A Advisory. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.