Equity Factory
Equity Factory is an independent Milan-based financial advisory firm providing M&A advisory, due diligence, and corporate finance services to Italian small and medium enterprises, private equity funds, and holding companies through a senior partner team.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMilano, Italy
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Equity Factory does
Equity Factory S.r.l. is an independent financial advisory firm based in Milan, Italy, focused on M&A and corporate finance services for Italian small and medium enterprises. Founded approximately in 2006, the practice operates with 1-10 employees registered as Equity Factory S.r.l. — an Italian private limited company with a subscribed share capital of €12,000 — and is headquartered at Largo Francesco Richini, 2, 20122 Milano. The firm is led by senior partners Stefano Marsilii, Vito Bugini, Guidalberto Gagliardi and Vittorio Nalesso, who together account for over 100 cumulative years of M&A and corporate finance experience and have personally managed more than 100 sell- and buy-side transactions.
The company delivers its services through three integrated lines: (i) M&A Advisory, covering buy-side and sell-side deal sourcing, structuring and partnership creation for firms, private equity funds and holding companies; (ii) Transaction Support, providing due diligence services (more than 100 processes completed) on behalf of banks and corporates; and (iii) broader Corporate Finance services addressing growth projects, mergers, entrepreneurial successions and governance innovation. Customer concentration is episodic by nature — every engagement is a discrete mandate — but the disclosed track record spans roughly two dozen transactions across manufacturing, chemicals, IT, energy, fashion/retail, food, education, insurance brokerage and industrial equipment, with both Italian SMEs and international buyers/sellers represented (e.g., Dover Corporation, Warburg Pincus-backed Pregis, H.I.G. Capital, Ardian, Ad Education).
The business model is professional-services fee-based with quote-based pricing. Go-to-market is overwhelmingly direct enterprise field sales complemented by a content-driven thought-leadership program: the firm publishes extensively in Italian and English, maintains partnerships with LIUC Business School, Harvard Business School, PEM Private Equity Monitor, Firmex, Ipsoa, IKN Italy, AssoLombarda and API, and co-advisors with legal/tax firm Russo De Rosa Associati. Geographic footprint is domestic (Italy only), with international visibility pursued through English-language content rather than cross-border offices. There are no funding rounds, no technology or AI products, and no acquisitions disclosed by the firm itself.
Equity Factory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Equity Factory
- Legal name
- Equity Factory S.r.l.
- Website
- https://equityfactory.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Equity Factory is an independent Milan-based financial advisory firm providing M&A advisory, due diligence, and corporate finance services to Italian small and medium enterprises, private equity funds, and holding companies through a senior partner team.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Equity Factory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Banking & M&A Advisory
- NAICS
- Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), Miscellaneous Intermediation (52391)
- SIC
- Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equity Capital Advisory (Private Equity Placements, Growth Capital) (BPAHAOAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Capital Raising Advisory (Equity & Equity-Linked) (FSAEAGAC)
Keywords
Where Equity Factory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milano
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Equity Factory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- M&A Advisory Fees: Professional fees for merger and acquisition advisory services, including buy-side and sell-side transactions, due diligence, and transaction support for Italian SMEs and private equity funds.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Equity Factory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Equity Factory is an independent financial advisor providing M&A advisory, due diligence transaction support, and corporate finance advisory to Italian small and medium enterprises, private equity funds, holding companies, and entrepreneurs. The firm supports clients on buy-side and sell-side M&A mandates, growth projects, mergers, entrepreneurial successions, and governance innovation, with a stated track record of 100+ deals and 100+ due diligence processes.
Product overview
Equity Factory is an independent financial advisory firm focused on Italian SMEs. The company operates as a single-service advisory practice offering three integrated service lines: M&A Advisory Services (deal sourcing, structuring and research for acquisitions and partnerships), Transaction Support (due diligence services for banks and companies), and Other Corporate Finance Services (tailor-made advisory for growth projects, mergers, successions, and governance). The firm has 20+ years of history, 100+ cumulative years of experience in M&A and Corporate Finance, and has managed 100+ sell and buy side M&A deals. The services are delivered by a team of professionals and are targeted at entrepreneurs, private equity funds, and companies seeking to create sustainable value through extraordinary transactions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- M&A Advisory Services Advisory services supporting firms, investors, private equity funds and holding companies in the research, creation and structuring of M&A deals targeting companies to be acquired or partnered with. Includes buy-side and sell-side mandates for Italian SMEs and institutional investors.
- Transaction Support (Due Diligence) Due diligence services providing analyses and investigations on behalf of banks and companies. Equity Factory professionals have conducted more than one hundred due diligence processes for clients evaluating acquisitions, divestitures, and extraordinary transactions.
- Corporate Finance Services Tailor-made support to entrepreneurs, private equity funds and companies for growth projects, acquisitions, search for new partners, mergers, entrepreneurial successions, and governance innovation. Includes advisory on extraordinary transactions and strategic decision-making.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ sell and buy side M&A deals managed
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Equity Factory
Customer profileNamed customers30 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Equity Factory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Equity Factory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LIUC Business SchoolcoreOngoing educational collaboration including Search Fund courses for aspiring entrepreneurs, Open lessons for Executive Master CFO, and course material for Entrepreneurship through Acquisition programs. Guidalberto Gagliardi serves as coordinator of the Executive Master for CFO.
- Harvard Business SchoolcoreHarvard Business School utilizes Equity Factory's educational material for their 'Entrepreneurship through Acquisition' course, demonstrating international academic recognition of the firm's expertise.
- PEM Private Equity MonitorcoreEquity Factory is a sponsor of PEM Private Equity Monitor, with their views on Italian M&A market trends featured in PEM reports and events.
- Economy MagazineminorPartnership for publishing thought leadership content on M&A trends and market perspectives after pandemic.
- IpsoaminorCollaboration for professional publications and content distribution.
- IKN ItalyminorPartnership for industry events and conferences.
- AssoLombardaminorCollaboration with Lombardy employers' association for industry insights and networking.
- API (Associazione Piccole e Medie Imprese)minorPartnership with small and medium enterprises association for thought leadership.
- FirmexminorInternational M&A research platform featuring interviews and insights from Equity Factory professionals on Italian M&A market trends.
- Russo De Rosa AssociaticoreLegal and tax advisory partner for M&A transactions, having collaborated on multiple deals including Lasi S.p.A. capital increase and various company sales.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Equity Factory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lazard: Global investment bank with a long-standing Italian M&A advisory franchise. Overlaps with Equity Factory on larger Italian SME and mid-cap mandates, particularly cross-border situations.
- Mediobanca: Italy's leading independent investment bank with a substantial M&A advisory franchise in Italian mid- and large-cap transactions. Competes with Equity Factory on larger SME/lower mid-cap mandates and PE-driven deals.
- Clearwater International: European mid-market M&A advisory firm with Italian coverage, advising PE funds and corporates on SME and mid-cap transactions. Comparable in segment focus and deal sizes to Equity Factory.
- KPMG Corporate Finance Italy: Big 4 M&A advisory practice in Italy serving SME, mid-market, and large-cap transactions. Competes with Equity Factory on Italian SME sell-side and buy-side mandates, particularly those requiring due diligence capabilities.
- Lincoln International: Global mid-market M&A advisory firm with a meaningful Italian practice, advising on PE-backed buy-side and sell-side deals across Europe. Direct competition for cross-border mid-market mandates.
- Alantra: European independent financial advisory and asset management group with significant Italian mid-market M&A presence. Competes for Italian SME sell-side and PE buy-side mandates.
- Houlihan Lokey: Global investment bank with a strong European mid-market M&A practice including Italy. Competes with Equity Factory for cross-border mid-market transactions involving Italian SMEs.
Direct peers
- Vitale & Co (Alantra Italy): Italy-focused M&A advisory boutique now part of Alantra, serving Italian mid-market companies and entrepreneurs on buy-side and sell-side mandates. Direct competitor in Italian SME advisory.
- Fineurop Soditic: Independent Italian mid-market M&A advisory firm with deep SME and family-business expertise. Directly competes with Equity Factory in the Italian lower mid-market segment and shares the boutique, partner-led execution model.
- Cross Border (Corporate Finance Boutique): Italian boutique M&A advisory firm focused on mid-market transactions, particularly cross-border deals involving Italian SMEs. Closely comparable in size, segment focus, and value proposition to Equity Factory.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Equity Factory social profiles
Digital presenceEquity Factory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Equity Factory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Equity Factory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Equity Factory 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 Equity Factory
What does Equity Factory do?
Equity Factory is an independent financial advisor providing M&A advisory, due diligence transaction support, and corporate finance advisory to Italian small and medium enterprises, private equity funds, holding companies, and entrepreneurs. The firm supports clients on buy-side and sell-side M&A mandates, growth projects, mergers, entrepreneurial successions, and governance innovation, with a stated track record of 100+ deals and 100+ due diligence processes.
Is Equity Factory a public or private company?
Equity Factory is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Equity Factory founded?
Equity Factory was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Equity Factory based?
Equity Factory is headquartered in Milano, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Equity Factory make money?
One revenue line is on record: M&A Advisory Fees.
Who are Equity Factory's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lazard, Mediobanca, Clearwater International, KPMG Corporate Finance Italy, Lincoln International, Alantra and Houlihan Lokey. Direct peers are Vitale & Co (Alantra Italy), Fineurop Soditic and Cross Border (Corporate Finance Boutique).
Does Equity Factory have an API?
No public API is recorded for Equity Factory.
What industry is Equity Factory in?
Equity Factory's product category is Investment Banking & M&A Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAOAE, Equity Capital Advisory (Private Equity Placements, Growth Capital), with a secondary code of FSAEAGAC, Capital Raising Advisory (Equity & Equity-Linked). Its NAICS code is 523 and its SIC code is 6211.