Middle Market Growth Conversations

Geopolitical tensions have shaken the markets, spiked fuel prices, and created new financial challenges for consumers at the gas pump and beyond. Joining the podcast to share more about the health of the consumer sector and what it means for lending in the space are WhiteHorse Capital’s Javier Casillas and Stephen Migdal. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit WhiteHorse.com. The Middle Market Growth podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In the last fifteen months, private equity investment in law firms has gone from theoretical to reality. Tom Lenfestey of the Law Practice Exchange is back with the podcast to talk about new legal and regulatory developments, what drives multiples in law firm valuations, the cultural elements dealmakers should consider, and more. This episode is brought to you by Hilco Global. Learn more at hilcoglobal.com. The Middle Market Growth podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Recent research from the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) found there are four distinct styles of decision making for strategic leaders in the middle market, each with impacts on performance and growth. Doug Farren, executive director of the NCMM, is back with the podcast to talk about those decision-making styles and what they mean for business leaders and investors. This podcast is brought to you by Grata. Learn more at grata.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

New research from RSM argues that the way we define the middle market is due for a major change. Tuan Nguyen, an economist at RSM, says the shifts in the makeup of the middle market have major implications for the people that work within it. Nguyen joins the podcast to dive into the findings and share the biggest takeaways for middle-market business leaders and dealmakers. This episode is brought to you by Hilco Global. Learn more at hilcoglobal.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For the sixth episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series, we talk to two attendees who ended up inking a deal at last year's DealMAX. Doug Cullen, chief strategy officer of Datasite, and Henry Lindemann, cofounder and chief growth officer of Blueflame AI, join the podcast to share their story, tips for those who hope to replicate their success at this year's DealMAX, and data-based insights for M&A in 2026. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

ACG’s Q1 Market Pulse Survey found that retail was the sector least likely to see increased M&A activity in the first half of 2026. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced market, says Mike Ross, U.S. consumer markets deal leader at PwC. He joins the podcast to explore the consumer habits creating investment opportunity, why carve-outs have grown in popularity, and more. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What’s ahead for the lending world in the year ahead, and how does that play into why lenders come to DealMAX? In our fifth Inside DealMAX episode of 2026, we’re joined by Christine Nowaczyk, SVP at U.S. Bank, and Jalal Taby, SVP at Comerica Bank—both veteran lenders and DealMAX attendees—to talk about their lending outlook for 2026 and how they get the most out of DealMAX. Register today at dealmax.org. This episode is brought to you by Grata. Learn more at grata.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever wished you could get a memo on what the person negotiating with you across the table is really thinking? You can, says microexpressions expert Annie Sarnblad, if you learn to read the minute and universal facial cues that everyone makes. Sarnblad joins the podcast to explain why microexpressions matter and how to make them work for you in negotiations. This episode is brought to you by Grata. Learn more at grata.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's possible that no one knows more about DealMAX than Kate Weaver, vice president of events at ACG. She joins us for the fourth episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series to share the secrets behind the scenes and what attendees can look forward to this year, as well as hot tips and conference hacks only an insider would know. To join us at DealMAX, learn more at dealmax.org. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

While data providers may see M&A conferences as an opportunity to seek out dealmakers, GF Data's Ruben Burke and Ryan McCann say DealMAX flips the script and offers a chance for the dealmakers to come to them. The two sit down for the third episode of this year's Inside DealMAX series to share how they engage with the middle-market M&A community, plus offer some sneak peeks into the latest of GF Data's findings on the state of the market. Register today at dealmax.org. Learn more about GF Data, an ACG company, at gfdata.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

From geopolitical events to tariff fallout, 2025 brought plenty of surprises, and 2026 will surely hold some of its own. Pankaj Gupta, CEO of WhiteHorse Capital, and Stuart Aronson, chair of WhiteHorse Capital, are back with the podcast to share their observations on how the lending space was impacted by the events of 2025 and their predictions for the year ahead—for the lending world and the broader M&A marketplace. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Many industries, including management consulting and legal firms, have long used a talent model that requires hiring large classes of entry-level workers. Now that AI efficiency gains have appeared in many sectors, that large pool of new hires is being trimmed down—but what does that mean for firms that will need mid-career and senior workers in a few years? Atta Tarki, founder and chair of ECA Partners, discusses the challenge, how it will impact PE firms and their portfolio companies, and how business and talent strategies will need to evolve in the age of AI. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Last August, President Trump issued an executive order for the Department of Labor and Securities and Exchange Commission to lay a framework allowing private equity investments within 401(k)s. The initiative would unlock a new, potentially massive source of capital. But democratizing private equity for retail investors would have many implications for firms, says Jim Walker, partner and global head of wealth at Adams Street Partners. He joins the podcast to discuss how this initiative might play out, how the PE community can prepare, and what firms can learn from existing funds developed for high net worth individuals. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Michael Feuz, economist with ITR Economics, is back to share what middle-market business leaders and dealmakers can expect in the year ahead. From interest rates and inflation to deal flow and AI, Feuz discusses the biggest trends that will shape the economy in the U.S. and globally in 2026. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The shape that M&A takes in the first quarter of 2026 will color the mood at DealMAX and what dealmakers are looking to accomplish as they hit the deal floor in April. Doug Brookman, managing director at Mesirow Investment Banking and this year’s DealMAX chair, and Mike Alberts, principal and head of business development at Cohere Capital and vice president of ACG Boston, join the podcast for the second episode of the 2026 Inside DealMAX series to share how they expect deal flow to shape up in the early months of the year, their tips as DealMAX veterans, underrated DealMAX offerings, and more. Register today at dealmax.org to take advantage of the early registration rate, available until January 14. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Roughly 16 weeks out from DealMAX 2026, we’re kicking off this year’s Inside DealMAX series, taking you behind the scenes of ACG’s flagship conference for the middle market, taking place April 27th through 29th at the ARIA in Las Vegas. Brent Baxter, CEO of ACG Global, and Suzie Doran, partner at SingerLewak and the incoming ACG chair, sit down with the podcast to discuss what they expect from the M&A market between now and late April, their most effective DealMAX hacks, and what to expect from this year’s conference. Register today at dealmax.org to take advantage of the early registration rate, available until January 14. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Forvis Mazars recently held a set of exclusive events for high-level dealmakers, in partnership with ACG and GF Data, to dissect the latest data on deal activity and to take a look into what 2026 might hold for PE-backed midmarket M&A. Scott Linch of Forvis Mazars and Bob Dunn of GF Data join the podcast to share what they discovered about fundraising, exits, the performance of specific sectors, and much more. This episode is brought to you by Forvis Mazars, a leading global professional services network. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A recent survey of manufacturing executives conducted by Forvis Mazars found strong optimism for future growth, despite supplier price hikes, tariff shock waves, and other pressures. Bryan Wright, national manufacturing sector leader at Forvis Mazars, sits down with the podcast to share what’s driving this positive sentiment, how AI and automation are shaping the sector, and how he sees manufacturing M&A playing out in the year ahead. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Past cycles have proven the beauty sector is resilient to downturns, but how will beauty M&A make out in the coming year? Fromm Beauty's Marty Okner and DC Advisory's Luc-Henry Rousselle join the podcast to discuss the most promising sectors, the challenges and opportunities in celebrity beauty brands, and what they expect for deals in 2026. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Youth sports is estimated to be a $40 billion dollar industry, and one that private equity has been eyeing with interest. Christopher Russo, CEO and founder of Fifth Generation Sports, joins the podcast to discuss the risks and opportunities in the youth sports sector, as well as other sports niches that could be home runs for investors. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A special report from the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) disproves some myths about private equity’s impact on middle-market businesses and offers some hard data on how PE-backed companies perform compared to their counterparts. NCMM’s Executive Director Doug Farren joins the podcast for a deep dive into the research’s findings and what it means for both middle-market companies and the PE firms that hope to invest in them. To read the full report, visit middlemarketcenter.org. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Employee stock ownerships plans (ESOPs) are experiencing a surge in popularity due to tax policy, cultural benefits, and their flexibility as a corporate finance tool. Regina Carls, managing director at J.P. Morgan and the leader of its ESOPs advisory group, sits down with the podcast to dispel common myths about ESOPs, discuss their benefits, and give actionable advice to those considering an ESOP structure, whether they be middle-market companies or their sponsors. This episode is brought to you by GF Data, a provider of reliable, confidential data on private equity-sponsored M&A transactions in the $10 million–$500 million enterprise value range. GF Data's proprietary data is sourced directly from private equity groups and used by ESOP advisors, valuation firms, lenders, investors, and M&A advisors for benchmarking, valuation, and market analysis. Learn more at gfdata.com/ESOPs. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The aerospace and defense (A&D) sector has seen solid growth in recent years, lifted by a new age of space exploration, Trump-era defense spending, and a renewed consumer demand for travel, among other factors. Max Asterlin, partner with Fairmont Consulting Group, joins the podcast to dive into the risks, challenges, and opportunities developing in the A&D space and how investors and business leaders can respond. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

From continuation vehicles to tariff impacts, from lending structures to interest rates, what are the biggest trends shaping M&A in the lower middle market? Chris Martin, partner with TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, joins the podcast to talk about the latest developments, including the ascent of continuation vehicles and direct lending. This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, a leading direct lending finance company focused on providing cash-flow based financing solutions for the middle-market private equity community. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

John Yeager, managing director of WhiteHorse Capital, and Corey Mason, principal with WhiteHorse Capital, sit down with Middle Market Growth Conversations to discuss the transportation and logistics (T&L) industry, including the current market environment, the potholes and risks in the space, and how to stand out among the competition. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Diving deeper into the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Forvis Mazars’ Donald Rawe, partner, and Howard Wagner, managing director, join the podcast to talk through the most impactful tax provisions, from 1202 changes to bonus depreciation and more. This episode is brought to you by Forvis Mazars, a leading global professional services network. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

AI has been making significant inroads in PE, but the most common use cases are often based in deal sourcing or due diligence. However, new uses are emerging, including value creation for portfolio companies. Bruce Sinclair, managing partner of AI Operating Partners, joins the podcast to share how PE firms can use AI and digital twin technology to drive value in their portcos. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What changes does the One Big Beautiful Bill hold for middle-market businesses and the firms that invest in them? Michael Feuz, economist with ITR Economics, is back to talk through key provisions in the bill, what they mean for the middle market, and how businesses and investment firms should position themselves in response. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What will SEC enforcement look like in the Trump 2.0 era? Emilie Abate, managing director at Iron Road Partners, joins the podcast to share how policy is shifting, how oversight of secondaries, AI and management fees is shaping up, and more. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Javier Casillas, managing director and global chief credit officer with WhiteHorse Capital, and Sachin Garg, principal with WhiteHorse Capital, join the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast to talk about the environment for lending and private credit in the healthcare space and the biggest emerging risks and opportunities. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Initial pro-business sentiment following the election quieted a bit after the Trump administration issued a series of tariff announcements and retractions that roiled the stock market. With tariffs still on the table, Michael Feuz, an economist with ITR Economics, sits down with Middle Market Growth to discuss how Trump’s policies on trade, inflation, deregulation, immigration and more could impact the economy more broadly and business leaders and dealmakers specifically. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

As companies and investment firms rush to capture value via AI, more energy is needed to run the data centers that power that technology, and this rising demand is creating challenges that require novel solutions. Mark Weathers, the CEO of Energy Internet Corporation, joins the podcast to share his company’s innovative approach to energy storage and other developments in the AI/energy space. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

We’re back with another episode of our limited series, “Inside DealMAX,” where we’re joined by Trivest Partners’ Tony Hill, our 2025 DealMAX chair, and Houlihan Lokey’s Chris Hebble, DealMAX private equity committee co-chair, to discuss how the first quarter is shaping up for dealmakers, why you can’t miss this year’s DealMAX, their favorite things to do in Vegas, and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Finding stability is the name of the game as sponsors and lenders grapple with stubborn inflation. However, there are actions businesses can take now to spur growth. Betsy Booth, a partner at TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, rejoins the podcast to discuss her approach in uncertain times, which industries are particularly good at weathering instability, trends in the lending market and more. This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Stuart Aronson, executive managing director and CEO of WhiteHorse U.S., and Pankaj Gupta, president of WhiteHorse U.S. and global head of originations, return to the podcast to discuss what’s next for lenders in the months ahead, how underwriting standards are developing, how portfolios will perform in 2025 and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Regulations and ABA rules keep non-attorneys from owning law firms in most states, but that hasn’t kept private equity from noticing that the industry is ripe for investment. Tom Lenfestey, founder and CEO of the Law Practice Exchange, joins the podcast to share what makes the sector a potential hotspot for PE investment, how regulations are evolving and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

For the third episode of our limited series, “Inside DealMAX,” we’re joined by TM Capital’s Ashton Gillespie to discuss the investment banking space, her strategies for getting the most out of DealMAX as an investment banker, how to strategically say no, and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

In our second episode of our limited series, “Inside DealMAX,” we sit down with Libertas Funding’s Karin Kovacic and Holland & Knight’s Jose Gabaldon to reminisce about surprising ways great connections are made, discuss the M&A landscape today, share best networking tips for the conference and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

When the M&A market is muted or volatile, maintaining a consistent capital deployment strategy can be a challenge. Drew Guyette, senior partner and co-chief credit officer at TPG Twin Brook, joins the podcast to discuss the prevailing tailwinds in the lower-middle market, how his firm is putting capital to work right now and what he sees on the horizon in 2025. *** This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

As we prepare for DealMAX 2025, the podcast is kicking off “Inside DealMAX,” a limited series exploring the M&A environment, strategies to maximize your time at the conference and the best tips for when you touch down in Las Vegas. For our first episode, we’re joined by ACG’s CEO Brent Baxter and Lion Equity's Aaron Polack to discuss corporate deal activity, travel hacks, building valuable relationships and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

A poorly managed exit process can erode value, and in the worst cases, a portfolio company that isn’t prepared to start that process can kill a deal. Tony Esposito, managing director of private equity and venture capital at Consero, and Josh Welk, founder and managing partner at Full Guard Capital, discuss the indicators that show a portfolio company isn’t ready for exit, the potential fallout from a lack of preparedness, then share their tips for what to do when you spot those signs. *** This episode is brought to you by Consero Global, a leading FaaS (Finance as a Service) provider. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

The CFO role has evolved greatly in recent decades, and perhaps even more so within private equity-backed companies. Tom Pierce, managing director of the CFO advisory services arm of Consero Global, and Jason Adams, principal at BV Investment Partners, an investor in Consero, join the podcast to share their unique perspectives on how the role has shifted and how CFOs and PE teams can best collaborate to drive value throughout the exit process. This episode is brought to you by Consero Global, a leading FaaS (Finance as a Service) provider. This is part two in a three-part series about exit preparedness. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

The outlook for the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector is bright—and, the experts at WhiteHorse Capital say, full of opportunity for investors. Mark Bernier, WhiteHorse Capital’s managing director, and Peter Gallagher, principal, join the podcast to share their insights into today’s private credit market, trends in the TMT sector, how annual recurring revenue financing is evolving and more. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

As deal volume begins to recover and business leaders look forward to a falling rate environment, exit preparedness should be top of mind for finance leaders and dealmakers alike. Tom Pierce, managing director of the CFO advisory services arm of Consero Global, joins the podcast to offer a CFO’s point of view on the most important elements to consider ahead of a sale and how to kick off an exit preparation process. This episode is brought to you by Consero Global, a leading FaaS (Finance as a Service) provider. This is part one in a three-part series about exit preparedness. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

When in June 2024 FORVIS, a top U.S. accounting and advisory firm, combined with Mazars, an international professional services firm, the firms created a unique global network and marked one of the many innovative structural changes accounting firms are implementing to evolve with a changing market. Scott Linch, partner with Forvis Mazars, and Bob Dunn, managing director of GF Data, an ACG company, join the podcast to talk about this deal, the unique moment that makes a global network so attractive, trends in the professional services sector, and more. This episode is brought to you by Forvis Mazars, a leading global professional services network. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Government incentives and environmental mandates are expected to attract investors to nuclear energy, and the technological advances and infrastructure upgrades needed to support it. Nano Nuclear Energy’s Jay Yu, founder and chairman, and James Walker, CEO, join the podcast to talk about areas of opportunity in the sector and what’s ahead for nuclear energy development. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Holding periods for private equity buyouts are growing longer, and the longer hold times are changing the way firms approach value creation. Rudi Moreno, managing director in the transaction advisory group at global advisory firm Stout, joins Middle Market Growth Conversations to discuss whether extended holding periods are here for the long haul, how the trend is shaping growth initiatives and more. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Private credit has been on a rocket ride since the great financial crisis, and the direct lending space has recently become white hot with new entrants joining legacy firms. WhiteHorse Capital’s Chief Credit Officer Javier Casillas and Managing Director Samuel Goldworm join the podcast to discuss how WhiteHorse stays competitive in a crowded market and share their thoughts on the regulatory rumblings around private credit. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

As we enter the second quarter of 2024, middle-market dealmakers are optimistic about the M&A environment despite continued higher capital costs. Pete Notter, a partner at TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, joins the podcast to share his insights on the current environment for borrowers and lenders, how the market has shifted compared to 2023 and the outlook for the future. This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, a leading direct lending finance company focused on providing cash-flow based financing solutions for the middle market private equity community. To learn more about TPG Twin Brook, visit www.twincp.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.

Renewable energy M&A has been a hot topic in recent years, with S&P Global Market Intelligence predicting that 2024 will be a banner year for private equity clean energy and renewables dealmaking. Kenny Boyce, CEO of Third Party Cyber Security, joins the podcast to talk about the surprising cybersecurity risks investors need to consider in the renewables space as well as other cyber vulnerabilities that private equity firms and dealmakers should be aware of. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.