ICON Corporate Finance

What ICON Corporate Finance does

ICON Corporate Finance is a specialist M&A and capital raising advisory firm focused exclusively on the technology sector, founded in 1999 by Alan Bristow in Bristol, United Kingdom. The firm serves FinTech, software, AI/DataTech, cybersecurity, climate/industrial tech, and tech-enabled services businesses across international markets, operating from offices in Bristol (headquarters), London, San Francisco, Nairobi, and Bengaluru. ICON is a private limited company, FCA-authorized and regulated, with a team of 14 senior investment bankers and a 25-year track record of completing more than 300 technology-focused transactions, approximately 8 out of 10 of which are cross-border.

The firm delivers two core service lines under the brands "Get Acquired" (sell-side M&A advisory covering valuation, deal structuring, buyer identification, and negotiation) and "Get Funded" (capital raising advisory covering venture capital, growth equity, private placements, and recapitalisations). Sector coverage is organized around four verticals: Software; Tech-enabled Services & IT Infrastructure; AI & DataTech; and Industrial & ClimateTech. Engagement is project-based and relationship-driven, with senior bankers engaging directly with technology founders and executives through personal networks, referrals, and reputation-driven inbound interest. Recent notable 2025 mandates include the acquisitions of MaxOptra, Phonexia, ROI Hunter, The Lettings Hub, and Workspace 365, alongside Oak Engage's growth funding from NorthEdge.

ICON's go-to-market motion is content-led, supported by regularly published sector research reports (UK Technology M&A Snapshots, Cybersecurity Sector Updates, Africa HealthTech Outlook, HCM Tech Sector Report) and thought-leadership content distributed via LinkedIn. The firm has no technology product, no parent company, and no disclosed external institutional investment; ownership is founder-controlled, with statutory directors Alan Bristow and Brian Parker. Recent strategic activity includes the 2025 promotion of Ben Kolada to Managing Director, Head of US Tech Investment Banking; the 2025 appointment of Arran Riordan as Associate Director; the addition of new analysts to the London office; and a March 2026 partnership with INVL Technology to divest portfolio businesses across Cyber Security, Deep Tech, and GovTech.

Name

ICON Corporate Finance

Legal name

ICON Corporate Finance Ltd.

Website

https://iconcorpfin.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICON Corporate Finance is a specialist M&A and capital raising advisor serving FinTech and high-tech growth companies. Founded in 1999 in Bristol, the firm operates from five global offices with 14 senior bankers and 300+ completed tech deals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology M&A and Capital Raising Advisory

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital) (BPAHADAG), Equity Capital Advisory (Private Equity Placements, Growth Capital) (BPAHAOAE), Corporate Finance Advisory (Strategic Finance, Capital Structure & Recaps) (FSAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Tech M&A advisory
• Capital raising advisory
• Technology investment banking
• Sell-side advisory
• Venture capital fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. M&A Advisory: Fees earned on successful completion of M&A transactions, including sale mandates (sell-side) and acquisition mandates (buy-side). Revenue is transaction-based and likely includes retainer components during engagement.
2. Capital Raising Advisory: Fees earned for assisting technology companies in raising venture capital, growth equity, or other financing rounds. Revenue model includes success fees tied to fundraising close.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ICON Corporate Finance is a specialist M&A and capital raising advisory firm that acts exclusively for technology businesses. The firm provides two core services: sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory ('Get Acquired'), guiding tech founders through valuation, buyer identification, deal structuring, and negotiation; and capital raising advisory ('Get Funded'), connecting technology companies with venture capital, growth equity, and strategic investors. Sectors covered include Software, Tech-enabled Services and IT Infrastructure, AI and DataTech, and Industrial and ClimateTech.

Product overview

ICON Corporate Finance operates as a professional services firm providing M&A advisory and capital raising services exclusively for technology sector clients. Their offering consists of two core service lines: 'Get Acquired' (sell-side M&A advisory) and 'Get Funded' (capital raising/fundraising advisory). They specialize in serving software companies, tech-enabled services, AI & DataTech firms, and Industrial/ClimateTech businesses across international markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Get Acquired Sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory service guiding technology company founders and owners through the sale process, including valuation, deal structuring, buyer identification, and negotiation to maximise exit value. For owners and executives of growing technology companies.
• Get Funded Capital raising advisory service connecting technology companies with investors, including venture capital, growth equity, and strategic investors across various funding stages. For founders and executives of growing technology companies seeking capital.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ tech deals completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• INVL TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026INVL Technology announced plans to divest some portfolio businesses in partnership with ICON Corporate Finance. INVL Technology is a company with a portfolio including Cyber Security, Deep Tech, and GovTech firms, with growth driven by European demand and strategic development. The company reported 2025 net asset value of EUR 64.6 million and net profit of EUR 13.3 million.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GP Bullhound: Tech-focused independent investment bank with comparable sector coverage in software, digital media, and fintech. Directly competes with ICON for mid-market tech M&A mandates across Europe and the US.
• Drake Star Partners: Tech-specialist M&A and growth investment advisory serving software, digital, and tech-enabled services. Competes head-to-head with ICON for sell-side and buy-side tech mandates across Europe.
• Clipperton: Independent M&A advisory firm dedicated to tech and digital companies in Europe. Closely comparable in boutique size, sector focus, and target deal size to ICON.
• Hampleton Partners: Tech-focused M&A advisory serving software, AI, fintech, and digital. Direct competitor for tech M&A mandates in the European mid-market with similar boutique positioning.
• Arma Partners: Independent advisory firm focused on the internet, software, and digital media sectors. Closely comparable in tech-only sector focus and European cross-border deal execution.
• Silverpeak: Tech-focused boutique investment bank advising on M&A and capital raising for software, internet, and tech-enabled services companies — closely mirrors ICON's value proposition.
• North Ridge Partners: Boutique advisory firm with strong tech and software sector focus, comparable in size and mission to ICON, competing for similar mid-market tech M&A mandates.
• Clearwater International: Independent corporate finance advisory with strong tech, software, and digital coverage across Europe. Comparable boutique-style positioning and tech sector emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Alantra: Larger mid-market investment bank and asset manager with a tech-enabled services practice. Overlaps with ICON on mid-market tech M&A but operates at broader scale and across more verticals.
• Lazard: Global bulge-bracket investment bank with a dedicated technology M&A practice. Represents the upper-bound competitor on larger tech mandates where ICON is not positioned to compete.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icon-corporate-finance
• Xx.com/ICONcorpfin

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICON Corporate Finance