Whether you are ready to sell, raise capital, or plan your next move, Icon brings operator credibility and investment bank sophistication to owners with $3M to $50M in revenue.
We work with successful business owners who have built something real — and are ready for what is next.
We are not the right fit for every business. If you are looking for the cheapest option, need someone yesterday, or want us to tell you what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear — we are probably not your people.
We are selective because our clients deserve our full attention. When we take on an engagement, we are all in.
You did the hard part — building a business that matters. But when it’s time to sell, raise capital, or plan your exit, the M&A industry hasn’t always served you well. Business brokers treat you like a house listing. Investment banks won’t return your call if you’re under $100M.
That’s why we built Icon differently. Our team has built, scaled, and sold businesses. We’ve made payroll, lost sleep over decisions, and wondered if we were doing the right thing. We know what it feels like because we’ve been in your chair.
We bring institutional-quality deal execution with operator credibility — PE-grade process without the investment bank attitude. We leverage modern technology and a network of 400+ boutique investment banks to maximize deal flow and value.
We’re not here to talk down to you. We’re here to work alongside you — because your business deserves better than what the industry has been offering.
No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation between operators.
Our team has built, scaled, and sold businesses. We know what it feels like to make payroll, lose sleep, and wonder if you’re doing the right thing.
PE-grade execution without the investment bank attitude. Institutional-quality process with operator credibility.
The $3M-$50M market is underserved. Business brokers treat you like a listing. Banks won’t call back. We fill that gap.
We leverage modern technology and AI to deliver better results, faster. Data rooms, financial modeling, and buyer matching.
You’re not a transaction. You’re a relationship that matters. We treat your business the way we’d want ours treated.
Decades of diverse business experience. Practical, proven expertise — not textbook theory from consultants who’ve never built anything.
Daniel’s got this incredible ability to break down your business and show you what’s next—pure genius. He’s all about people, and it’s real. Icon’s team is full-on entrepreneurial—they clicked with my vibe instantly. Their connections made my deal happen, and it felt like a total win.
Daniel oozes authenticity—you can tell he loves what he does. He’s a thought leader who’s always ahead, and working with him gave me new direction. The Icon crew’s network is insane—they’re deal-closing machines. Drew and Chelsea brought so much energy, and I’ll always appreciate how they got me.
Daniel’s vision is inspiring—he’s got a real passion for helping others win. He saw my blindspots when I couldn’t, and partnering with him shifted my whole perspective. The Icon team’s hustle is unreal—they’re plugged in and get deals across the finish line. I felt understood every step of the way.
Daniel’s a deal-making natural with a big heart for the community. He’s got this knack for figuring out your business and filling in the blanks—brilliant stuff. Working with Icon lifted me up in ways I didn’t expect. His team’s connections are unmatched—they know how to make things happen fast.
Daniel’s the kind of guy who gets you—authentic to the core. His leadership gave me the push I needed to rethink everything, and I’m better for it. Drew, Chelsea, and the Icon crew are wired into the right networks—they close deals like it’s second nature. Plus, they totally understood my struggles as a founder. Great people.
Daniel Askew’s empathy and foresight are unreal—he’s always thinking ahead. He genuinely cares about people, and it shines through every step. Working with him transformed my business and honestly turned my life around. The Icon team knows everyone—deals just happen with them. They saw what I couldn’t and made it actionable—game-changer!
Icon Business Advisors is a Nashville-based M&A advisory firm serving business owners with $3M to $50M in annual revenue. We help owners sell their businesses, raise growth capital, and plan exits — with the sophistication of an investment bank and the credibility of operators who have built and sold businesses themselves.
M&A advisory fees typically range from 4–10% of transaction value for lower middle market deals ($3M–$50M). Icon charges a success fee based on deal value, with most engagements falling in the 4–6% range. Many structures allow the buyer to cover the advisory fee, meaning you get sophisticated representation without writing a check.
Most business sales take 6–12 months from engagement to close. The timeline depends on business complexity, buyer availability, market conditions, and deal structure. Well-prepared businesses with clean financials typically sell faster.
Business value depends on revenue, EBITDA, growth trajectory, customer concentration, industry multiples, and strategic factors. Lower middle market businesses typically sell for 3–7x EBITDA. Icon provides professional valuation services starting at $350 through our Icon Toolkit.
Business brokers typically handle smaller transactions ($1M–$5M) with a listing-based approach. M&A advisors provide comprehensive representation including buyer targeting, deal negotiation, and full transaction management. Icon serves the middle ground — bringing institutional-quality M&A advisory to businesses that brokers cannot serve well but investment banks will not touch.
Icon Business Advisors is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. We serve clients throughout the Southeast and nationwide through a combination of in-person and virtual engagement.
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