The Business Exchange
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersSpringfield, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
The Business Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Business Exchange
- Legal name
- The Business Exchange
- Website
- https://thebx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Business Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Brokerage Services
- NAICS
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Miscellaneous Intermediation (52391)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Transfer Intermediation (Introducers/Deal Sourcing Networks) (FSAEAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Business-for-Sale Marketplaces & Listing Platforms (FSAEAIAK), Business Sale / Business Brokerage Referrals (FSAEAMAG), E-commerce & Digital Business Brokerage (FSAEAIAH)
Keywords
Where The Business Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Business Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Brokerage Commission on Business Sales: Traditional business brokerage commission earned upon successful sale of a business. The firm charges fees upon transaction completion rather than upfront fees for standard listings. Commission structure is likely based on transaction value.
- Confidential Business Sales Services: Full-service intermediary support including valuation, marketing, buyer screening, negotiation, due diligence coordination, and closing facilitation.
- Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory: Advisory services for corporate dispositions, mergers, and acquisitions transactions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard business listing with no upfront fees |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Business Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Business Exchange is a full-service business brokerage and intermediary firm that facilitates the confidential buying and selling of businesses, mergers and acquisitions, corporate dispositions, and related commercial real estate and investment property transactions. It manages the full transaction lifecycle from free preliminary business valuations and buyer screening through marketing, negotiation, due diligence coordination, financing coordination, and closing. The firm earns commissions upon successful transaction closing rather than charging upfront listing fees, with geographic focus on the Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri markets.
Product overview
The Business Exchange is a full-service business brokerage and intermediary firm providing a comprehensive suite of services for buying, selling, and mergers and acquisitions of businesses. The firm operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include confidential business sales, mergers and acquisitions, corporate dispositions, commercial real estate services, auctions, property management, and 1031 exchanges. Supporting services include free business valuations, automated buyer qualification and NDA processing, due diligence coordination, closing facilitation, financing coordination, and visa program services (E-2 and EB-5) for foreign investors. The company leverages automation and modern technology to qualify buyers, execute non-disclosure agreements, track disclosures, and provide monthly reports to clients. Dan Sperry serves as Managing Broker across offices in Chicago, Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Confidential Business Sales
Quantifiable outcome
- Several hundred business sales completed successfully across every industry sector
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Business Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Business Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Business Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Wall Street JournalminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on WSJ to reach a broad audience of potential buyers.
- New York TimesminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on NY Times to reach a broad audience of potential buyers.
- Bloomberg BusinessweekminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on Bloomberg Businessweek to reach a broad business audience.
- Inc. MagazineminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on Inc. Magazine to reach entrepreneur-focused buyers.
- Chicago TribuneminorPartner site for regional business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on Chicago Tribune business section.
- bizjournals (Multiple Markets)minorPartner site for regional business listings. The Business Exchange publishes listings on bizjournals for Chicago and St. Louis markets.
- AllBusiness.comminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on AllBusiness.com for additional online visibility.
- MantaminorPartner site for business listings. The Business Exchange publishes business-for-sale listings on Manta small business directory.
- Immigration Attorneys NetworkcoreAffiliated immigration attorneys to help foreign nationals acquire U.S. immigration status (E-2 or EB-5 visas) through business purchase. The Business Exchange has helped many foreign nationals immigrate to the U.S. by purchasing a business.
- Transaction-Experienced Attorneys and AccountantscoreReferral network of transaction-experienced attorneys and accountants who refer clients to The Business Exchange for business sales and direct buyers to available listings.
- Business Acquisition LenderscoreLenders who provide financing for business acquisitions and refer qualified buyers to The Business Exchange for suitable business opportunities.
- Commercial Real Estate FirmsminorCommercial real estate firms that refer clients and transaction opportunities to The Business Exchange for business sales and acquisitions.
- Trade AssociationsminorIndustry trade associations that refer members to The Business Exchange for business sale and acquisition services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Business Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Heritage Business Group: Regional U.S. business brokerage serving the Southeast and parts of the Midwest with similar SMB M&A intermediation services. Comparable in deal-size focus and service scope, but geographically distinct from The Business Exchange's IL/IN/MO footprint.
Direct peers
- Woodbridge International: Middle-market M&A advisory firm handling business sales and acquisitions globally. Comparable intermediary model with confidential marketing, buyer qualification, and full transaction execution, though typically for larger mid-market deals.
- Murphy Business Sales: National business brokerage franchise specializing in main street and lower middle-market transactions. Closely comparable in target segments, service scope (valuation, marketing, deal negotiation), and commission-based revenue model.
- First Choice Business Brokers: Business brokerage franchise network providing listings and full-service intermediation for SMBs in California and other U.S. markets. Comparable target segment, commission model, and full-service offering.
- VR Business Brokers / Mergers & Acquisitions: Established U.S. business brokerage franchise network serving SMB sellers and buyers. Directly comparable offering: confidential listings, buyer screening, transaction management, and franchised regional offices similar to The Business Exchange's model.
- Transworld Business Advisors: Franchised business brokerage, M&A, and franchise consulting firm with U.S. and international offices. Comparable full-service intermediary model targeting SMB owners and buyers with similar commission economics.
- Sunbelt Business Brokers: Largest U.S. business brokerage franchise network offering M&A intermediation for SMBs across virtually every industry. Directly comparable business model: transaction-based commissions, confidential listings, buyer qualification, and full-service closing — competing head-to-head for the same Main Street and lower mid-market deals.
Emerging players
- BizBuySell: Largest U.S. online marketplace for buying and selling businesses. While not a traditional broker, it competes for seller listings and buyer attention in the same Main Street segment, increasingly with broker-partner programs.
- BusinessesForSale.com: Global online marketplace listing businesses for sale across categories and price points. Competes on listing visibility and is a comparable listing/distribution channel for SMB M&A buyers and sellers.
Broad incumbents
- Houlihan Lokey: Global investment bank with M&A advisory across middle-market and larger transactions. Comparable advisory/intermediation service for corporate dispositions and acquisitions, though operating at a much larger deal-size tier.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Business Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceThe Business Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Business Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Business Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Business Exchange 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 The Business Exchange
What does The Business Exchange do?
The Business Exchange is a full-service business brokerage and intermediary firm that facilitates the confidential buying and selling of businesses, mergers and acquisitions, corporate dispositions, and related commercial real estate and investment property transactions. It manages the full transaction lifecycle from free preliminary business valuations and buyer screening through marketing, negotiation, due diligence coordination, financing coordination, and closing. The firm earns commissions upon successful transaction closing rather than charging upfront listing fees, with geographic focus on the Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri markets.
Is The Business Exchange a public or private company?
The Business Exchange is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Business Exchange founded?
The Business Exchange was founded in 1990.
Where is The Business Exchange based?
The Business Exchange is headquartered in Springfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Business Exchange make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Brokerage Commission on Business Sales are the primary driver. The others are confidential Business Sales Services and mergers and Acquisitions Advisory.
Who are The Business Exchange's main competitors?
Heritage Business Group is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Woodbridge International, Murphy Business Sales, First Choice Business Brokers, VR Business Brokers / Mergers & Acquisitions, Transworld Business Advisors and Sunbelt Business Brokers. Emerging players are BizBuySell and BusinessesForSale.com. Houlihan Lokey is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Business Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Business Exchange.
What industry is The Business Exchange in?
The Business Exchange's product category is Business Brokerage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAIAL, Business Transfer Intermediation (Introducers/Deal Sourcing Networks), with a secondary code of FSAEAIAK, Business-for-Sale Marketplaces & Listing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5231.