Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners

What Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners does

Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners (HHP) is a Frankfurt-based boutique corporate finance advisory firm founded in 2016 by Michael Herbst and Marc-Olaf Hilgenfeldt, specializing exclusively in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector. The firm operates from Frankfurt and London and offers three core service lines: M&A advisory (sell-side and buy-side mandates from positioning through negotiation), private growth capital and debt capital raising, and capital market advice including IPO and dual-track processes. HHP advises publicly traded companies on complex transactions such as spin-offs, carve-outs, and take-privates, while also serving SME clients, large corporates, founders, and financial investors across the DACH, Benelux, UK, and French markets. The senior team comprises former senior bankers from UBS, Jefferies, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Rothschild, with reported collective experience exceeding 75 years and cumulative advised transaction volume above 250 billion euros globally.

In January 2024, HHP combined with Cameron Barney LLP to operate as CBHH — Cameron Barney Herbst Hilgenfeldt, creating one of Europe's largest independent investment banking brands serving digital and energy transition sectors, expanding the firm's vertical scope beyond pure TMT. The firm generates revenue through professional services fees tied to advisory mandates, working via direct, relationship-based engagement with company management, boards, and financial sponsors. Customer evidence shows engagement with publicly listed mid-cap firms (q.beyond AG), growth-stage technology companies (AllMyHomes, sendmoments), and financial sponsors (Global Savings Group).

The go-to-market motion is sales-led and entirely referral- and network-driven, with no digital marketing apparatus or productized offerings; marketing channels consist of the firm's website, XING/LinkedIn professional profiles, and selective participation in TMT industry events. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured as customary advisory fees scaled to transaction complexity and scope.

Name

Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners

Legal name

Herbst Hilgenfeldt GmbH

Website

https://hhp-ib.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners is a Frankfurt- and London-based boutique corporate finance advisor founded in 2016, providing M&A, growth and debt capital raising, and capital markets advisory exclusively to Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) companies and financial investors across continental Europe and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Banking / M&A Advisory

NAICS

Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (523150), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specialist / Sector-Focused M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

M&A Advisory (Buy-side/Sell-side) (BPAHADAC), Buy-Side M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAB), Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), Corporate Finance Advisory (Strategic Finance, Capital Structure & Recaps) (FSAEAGAE)

Keywords

• M&A advisory
• Corporate finance advisory
• TMT investment banking
• Capital raising services
• Capital market advice

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. M&A Advisory: Advisory fees for mergers and acquisitions transactions including sell-side and buy-side mandates, from early positioning through due diligence preparation to contract negotiations
2. Private Growth Capital and Debt Capital Raising: Advisory fees for raising venture and growth capital, optimizing structural aspects of transactions and selecting ideal partners
3. Capital Market Advice: Advisory services for IPOs and dual-track processes with parallel M&A and IPO options

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners is a TMT-focused corporate finance advisory boutique providing three core service lines: (1) M&A advice covering the full transaction lifecycle from positioning through due diligence to contract negotiations, (2) private growth capital and debt capital raising, and (3) capital market advice for IPOs and dual-track processes. The firm advises companies and financial investors on buy-side and sell-side transactions, strategic financings, spin-offs, carve-outs, and take-privates.

Product overview

Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners (HHP) is a TMT-focused financial advisory firm offering three core service lines: M&A Advice, Private growth capital and debt capital raising, and Capital market advice. The firm supports clients throughout their corporate lifecycle from early growth financings to add-on acquisitions and joint ventures to value-maximizing exits. HHP works with publicly traded companies on complex transactions including spin-offs, carve-outs, and take-privates, as well as with SME clients, large corporates, and financial investors on buy-side and sell-side transactions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M&A Advice Comprehensive mergers and acquisitions advisory services covering the entire transaction lifecycle from early positioning through due diligence preparation to contract negotiations. Serves companies and financial investors on buy-side and sell-side mandates, spin-offs, carve-outs, take-privates, and SME and large corporate transactions.
• Private Growth Capital and Debt Capital Raising Advisory services supporting companies in raising venture and growth capital as well as debt capital, optimizing structural aspects of transactions, and selecting ideal investor partners. Designed for innovative growth companies, founder-led businesses, and SMEs seeking growth financings, add-on acquisitions, or strategic investments.
• Capital Market Advice Advisory services for initial public offerings (IPOs) and dual-track processes with parallel M&A and IPO options. Supports publicly traded companies and growth-stage businesses considering public market access or alternative exit routes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 billion euros in completed transaction volume globally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Cameron Barney LLPflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2024HHP and Cameron Barney joined forces in January 2024 to operate under the combined name 'CBHH – Cameron Barney Herbst Hilgenfeldt'. The partnership creates one of Europe's largest independent investment banking and advisory brands serving clients in digital and energy transition sectors as well as wider technology markets. The combined firm offers 30+ executives with extensive transactional experience and 9 Partners with backgrounds at leading global investment banks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln International: Global mid-market investment bank with dedicated Technology, Media & Telecom group providing M&A and capital raising advisory. Comparable to HHP in mid-market TMT focus but materially larger and broader in sector coverage.
• Rothschild & Co: Global independent financial advisory group with deep European TMT M&A and capital advisory practice, employing alumni of HHP's senior team. Comparable in cross-border European TMT advisory but operates at significantly larger scale and broader sector mandate.
• Harris Williams: US-headquartered middle-market M&A advisor with dedicated Technology, Media & Telecom group serving growth and large-cap clients. Comparable in TMT specialisation and mid-market orientation, though US-anchored versus HHP's European footprint.
• Jefferies: Global full-service investment banking group with strong European TMT franchise; HHP co-founder and Managing Partner Hofmann previously served as Head of D/A/CH Investment Banking at Jefferies. Comparable in TMT focus and European mid-market deal profile.

Direct peers

• Arma Partners: London-based independent advisory firm focused on the global TMT sector, providing M&A, debt advisory, and equity capital markets services. Highly comparable to HHP in sector focus, mid-market orientation, and London/European presence.
• GP Bullhound: Global technology advisory and investment firm headquartered in London, advising growth-stage tech companies on M&A, IPOs, and capital raising. Comparable in technology vertical focus and growth-company advisory, though larger and with broader geographic footprint than HHP.
• Clipperton: Paris-based independent M&A advisory boutique exclusively focused on the TMT sector, advising European growth companies and financial investors. Closely comparable to HHP in vertical specialisation, deal size, and founder-led model, though with a stronger French and pan-European footprint.
• Drake Star Partners: Global tech-focused M&A and corporate finance advisory with strong European presence advising software, digital media, and tech-enabled companies. Directly comparable to HHP in TMT specialisation and senior-led boutique model.
• Hampleton Partners: DACH- and UK-headquartered M&A advisory boutique focused on software, digital, and technology-enabled services. Comparable to HHP in sector focus, deal size profile, and DACH/UK geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Signal Hill: Technology-focused M&A and capital advisory boutique serving growth-stage and mid-market tech companies. Comparable to HHP in growth-company TMT focus and boutique structure, though smaller and primarily US-oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hhp-herbst-hilgenfeldt-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Herbst Hilgenfeldt Partners