Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries

What Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries does

Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries (MBBI) is a private not-for-profit professional membership organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates a vetted, multi-state network connecting business brokers, M&A intermediaries, private equity firms, lenders, attorneys, accountants, and small business owners across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The organization serves dealmakers focused on buying, selling, and financing small and mid-sized businesses valued between $100K and $20M.

MBBI's core offering is its membership network rather than a software product. Members gain access to a searchable directory, BizBuySell listing privileges, discounted event pricing, and curated networking opportunities across five state chapters. The organization runs a recurring event portfolio that includes an Annual Conference (e.g., the 2026 'Grit to Growth' summit), an annual Golf Outing (240+ registrants), the Private Equity Connection event series (now in its 14th year), Women in M&A programming, and a Rising Stars tier for early-career professionals. Member management is delivered through a Wild Apricot-powered portal, and there is no proprietary AI or technology stack — the moat is entirely relationship-based.

MBBI monetizes through three streams: annual membership dues (renewing February 1), event registration fees with member/non-member pricing differentials (e.g., $29 vs. $49 for tax updates; $175 vs. $245 for the 2022 Annual Conference), and a tiered annual corporate sponsorship program (Gold and Silver) anchored by regional banks such as First Internet Bank, Huntington, Centrust, Old National, Truliant, and LiveOak, alongside professional service firms including CLA, Dykema, Amundsen Davis, DeWitt LLP, and Transworld Business Advisors.

Name

Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries

Legal name

Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries

Website

https://mbbi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries (MBBI) is a not-for-profit membership network founded in 1997 that connects business brokers, private equity firms, lenders, and advisors across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin for small and mid-market M&A dealmaking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

M&A Intermediary Services

NAICS

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

Management Buyouts (MBO/MBI) & Sponsor-Led Transactions Advisory (FSAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Business broker network
• M&A intermediary services
• Dealmaker networking
• Membership association
• Professional networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: MBBI generates revenue through annual membership dues from brokers, investors, and advisors. Membership fees are described as cost-effective compared to marketing subscriptions, providing high returns through network expansion.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from event registrations including conferences, networking events, golf outings, and educational programs. Event pricing varies by member status (member vs non-member) and event type.
3. Annual Sponsorship Program: Corporate sponsors pay annual fees for visibility and membership benefits across chapters. Sponsorships are available at various tiers (Gold, Silver) and include member benefits, event access, and marketing exposure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MBBI operates as a vetted, membership-based professional network connecting business brokers, M&A intermediaries, private equity firms, investors, lenders, and advisors across the Midwest United States. The organization delivers value through state-chapter networking events, an annual flagship conference, specialized event series, educational programs, and curated member directories that facilitate deal flow, referrals, and business transactions for companies valued between $100K and $20M.

Product overview

MBBI operates as a membership-based professional network and trade organization rather than a software product company. The organization offers a unified membership program providing access to a vetted network of M&A professionals, state-specific chapters (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin), and various event series including annual conferences, golf outings, Private Equity Connection events, Women in M&A programs, and Rising Stars networking. Member benefits include access to the BizBuySell business listings database, educational resources, and professional development opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBBI Individual Annual Membership Annual subscription membership providing vetted M&A professionals, brokers, investors, lenders, and advisors access to a multi-state chapter network, member directory listing, event discounts, educational resources, and deal flow opportunities across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
• MBBI Annual Conference Annual flagship event bringing together dealmakers, brokers, private equity professionals, and M&A advisors for networking, education, and thought leadership; the 2026 edition 'Grit to Growth: Winning in Uncertain Times' is scheduled for January 29, 2026 at Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort.
• State Chapter Events Program State-specific networking events, educational programs, and conferences organized by chapters in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin for M&A intermediaries and business brokers.
• Rising Star Membership Introductory membership level for M&A professionals in the first decade of their career, subject to committee approval, offering access to networking opportunities and member benefits for a maximum of one renewal (up to two years).
• Private Equity Connection Events Annual event series connecting M&A intermediaries and dealmakers with private equity professionals, including the 14th Annual Private Equity Connection held across multiple state chapters.
• Women in M&A Events Networking events and programs designed for women professionals in the M&A industry, including events such as 'Caffeine and Community' and 'Yoga & Community'.
• Annual Golf Outing Annual golf networking event for MBBI members and dealmakers; the 27th Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for August 4, 2026 at Geneva National, Lake Geneva, WI.
• Annual Sponsor Program Corporate sponsorship program available in Gold and Silver tiers offering sponsors visibility across chapters, member benefits, event access, and marketing exposure for an annual sponsorship year running February 1 through January 31.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Transworld Business AdvisorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold-level sponsor and business broker network partner, providing business sales and franchise opportunities through their national platform.
• CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGold-level sponsor and accounting/consulting firm providing M&A advisory, tax, and business valuation services to MBBI members.
• Amundsen Davis LawcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGold-level sponsor and law firm providing M&A legal counsel, business law, and transaction support to MBBI members.
• DykemacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGold-level sponsor and law firm specializing in M&A transactions, corporate law, and business advisory services.
• DeWitt LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWisconsin Gold-level sponsor and accounting firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services to MBBI members.
• Von Briesen & RopercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWisconsin Gold-level sponsor and law firm providing legal services for M&A, business transactions, and corporate matters.
• Sunbelt NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilver-level sponsor and business broker franchise network providing business sales and acquisition services.
• Barton Walter Krier (BWK)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor and accounting firm providing transaction advisory and business valuation services.
• Calhoun CompaniesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor providing business brokerage and advisory services to MBBI members.
• Redpath CPAsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor providing accounting, tax, and advisory services to MBBI members.
• Growth OperatorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor providing business growth and operational advisory services.
• BGH ValuationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor providing business valuation services for M&A and transaction purposes.
• Avisen LegalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinnesota sponsor and law firm providing M&A legal counsel and business transaction support.
• BrownWinickminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIowa Gold-level sponsor and law firm providing M&A, corporate law, and business advisory services.
• FredriksonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIowa Gold-level sponsor and law firm providing M&A, corporate, and securities legal services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Transworld Business Advisors: National business brokerage franchise specializing in SMB M&A and franchise resale. Direct overlap with MBBI's broker member base; also currently a Gold-level sponsor and channel partner, blurring the line between competitor and partner.
• Axial: Online deal-sourcing platform for lower middle-market buy-side advisors and investors. Serves many of the same broker/intermediary members MBBI does, and represents a digital alternative to in-person networking for deal flow.
• Sunbelt Network: Business brokerage franchise network focused on main-street and lower middle-market business sales. Overlaps with MBBI's broker members and is a current Silver-level sponsor; competes for the same intermediary audience at a national level.

Direct peers

• Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA): Membership network and designation body (CM&AA) for M&A advisors across the U.S. Comparable member-driven model serving intermediaries, investors, and advisors, with networking events and educational programming.
• M&A Source: National association and conference organizer for lower middle-market M&A advisors and intermediaries. Comparable in mission (community, education, deal flow) but national rather than regional in scope.

Others

• BizBuySell: Online business-for-sale marketplace that MBBI members use to post listings. Adjacent ecosystem participant — not a peer organization in the membership sense, but a key platform whose trajectory could either complement or disintermediate MBBI's networking value.

Broad incumbents

• International Business Brokers Association (IBBA): National professional association for business brokers and M&A intermediaries, providing education, certification, and a member directory. Directly comparable to MBBI as the dominant national membership body serving the same broker/M&A intermediary persona.
• Association for Corporate Growth (ACG): Large global network for middle-market dealmaking, with chapter-based structure similar to MBBI's five Midwest chapters. Overlaps on member persona (PE, advisors, intermediaries) but at much broader scale and corporate development focus.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mbbi
• Facebookfacebook.com/MBBIAssociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries