
Middle Market Growth Conversations
Inside DealMAX: Talking Investment Banking Trends with Ashton Gillespie
Jan 14, 2025
Ashton Gillespie, Vice President at TM Capital, shares her insights into the investment banking landscape. She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building in private equity, drawing from her entrepreneurial experiences. The discussion navigates the value of strategic networking at the DealMax conference, highlighting the need for diverse representation. Gillespie shares a personal story about launching an activewear brand, showcasing the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship. Additionally, she offers practical travel tips for effective networking at industry events.
24:12
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Quick takeaways
- The current investment banking landscape is driven by strong middle market M&A activity, requiring adaptability and creative deal structures amid economic challenges.
- Building genuine connections through strategic networking at industry events like DealMAX is essential for fostering trust and enhancing opportunities in investment banking.
Deep dives
Trends in Investment Banking
The investment banking landscape is currently characterized by strong middle market M&A activity, fueled by high levels of dry powder and a lack of quality recession-proof assets in specific sectors such as healthcare and tech-enabled services. As valuations begin to stabilize, private equity sponsors are becoming more confident, leading to an uptick in pitch activity focused on portfolio company exits. Creative deal structures, including earnouts and seller financing, are being utilized to navigate valuation gaps in a higher interest rate environment. This highlights the need for resilience and adaptability in transactions, essential traits for success in today’s investment banking market.
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