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Key Resources For Independent Sponsors

The Independent Sponsor ecosystem in the U.S. is still emerging, but several high-quality resources, services, and organizations are helping Sponsors source deals, raise capital, and improve operations. We compiled a curated list of the best resources for Independent Sponsors including those offered by our partners.

Key Resources For Independent Sponsors


Organizations & Associations

Organizations for Independent Sponsors

  • Independent Sponsor Forum (ISF)– A nationwide initiative specifically for independent sponsors from the Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA). The ISF provides networking, education and deal-sourcing support; it runs invitation-only regional “deal series” events (e.g. ISF Nashville, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles) to connect sponsors with capital​. ISF is a Verivend Partner.

  • US Emerging Manager Institute- Has a mission to support 30 new asset managers by 2030 (a "30 by 30" pledge). They also host an annual Emerging Manager Summit bringing together emerging managers, independent sponsors, LPs, and industry experts for a day of practical insights, candid conversations, and meaningful connections.

  • Deal Flow Xchange (DFX) – ISCP Club – The Deal Flow Xchange platform (partnered with iGlobal) hosts the “Independent Sponsors & Capital Providers (ISCP) Club,” a membership community of thousands of independent sponsors and investors. The ISCP Club delivers industry content, virtual and in-person events, and deal-connection tools. DFX is a Verivend Partner.


Other Organizations & Associations

  • Self-Funded Search Association (SFSA) – A nonprofit trade group for acquisition entrepreneurs. SFSA membership (which overlaps independent sponsors) provides access to educational resources and networking; it sponsors regional conferences and meetups to link searchers and fundless sponsors.

  • Association for Corporate Growth (ACG.org)- A global networking organization for middle-market M&A professionals. Independent Sponsors use ACG to access deal flow, capital providers, and service partners through events, ACG DealSource, and regional chapters.


Deal Flow for Independent Sponsors

Independent Sponsors typically find deals through a combination of proprietary sourcing, intermediary networks, online marketplaces, M&A advisors, business brokers and professional relationships. Here are a few online marketplaces for Independent Sponsors to discover Lower Middle Market and SMB deals: Online Marketplaces for Lower Middle Market (LMM)

  • Axial- A widely used M&A marketplace focused on the lower middle market. Independent Sponsors can access active deal flow from advisors and business owners, with matching based on sector, size, and criteria.

  • International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) - A national network of business brokers and intermediaries. Independent Sponsors can tap into its deal listings and broker relationships to access smaller, often undiscovered, acquisition opportunities.

  • Deal Flow Xchange (DFX)- A curated deal marketplace that connects Independent Sponsors with vetted investment opportunities and aligned capital partners. Emphasizes quality control, privacy, and sponsor-investor matchmaking. DFX is a Verivend Partner.

  • CapitalPad- Designed for Independent Sponsors and small PE firms, CapitalPad facilitates deal sourcing and investor introductions. Sponsors can find deals and manage capital relationships in one platform.

  • Grata- A sourcing and market intelligence tool for identifying private, founder-owned businesses. Sponsors use it to find off-market targets via advanced search filters and industry-specific mapping.

Online Marketplaces for Small & Medium Businesses (SMB)

  • Searchfunder - A niche platform for search funders and acquisition entrepreneurs. Independent Sponsors use it to access small business deal flow, connect with sellers, and engage with a community of buyers and advisors.

  • BizBuySell - A public platform listing thousands of small businesses for sale. Sponsors use it for outbound deal sourcing, particularly for sub-$10M EBITDA companies in fragmented industries.


Independent Sponsor Focused Events


Our recommended list of 2025 and 2026 events and conferences for Independent Sponsors in the US.

Events and Conferences

  • SBIA Independent Sponsor Forum Deal Series – High-quality dealmakers’ events hosted under the SBIA/ISF umbrella. For example, SBIA’s Independent Sponsor Forum 2025 and the invitation-only Deal Series in cities like Los Angeles and Nashville bring together vetted sponsors and capital providers​. ISF is a Verivend Partner.

  • McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference – An annual industry conference for independent sponsors. McGuireWoods (a law firm) hosts this flagship event in Dallas featuring panels, deal pitches and networking​. Attendees praise it as “the number one networking spot for connecting independent sponsors and capital providers”.

  • iGlobal Independent Sponsors Summit – A premier forum run by iGlobal Forum. The Annual Summits convene 400+ independent sponsors and capital providers​. It includes keynotes, panels and workshops on deal structuring and market trends. iGlobal is a Verivend Partner.

  • Opus Connect Independent Sponsor Summits – Opus Connect hosts deal-connect events in major U.S. cities. E.g. its “NYC Independent Sponsor Deal Connect & Summit” features speed-networking 1×1 meetings and educational panels. These invite-only events (e.g. hosted at Ice Miller’s NYC offices) target independent sponsors and lenders, with structured 15-minute meetings and cocktail receptions.

  • DealMAX (formerly InterGrowth) – A large annual middle-market M&A conference in Miami. DealMAX brings together sponsors, family offices and deal intermediaries for three days of networking and dealflow. While not limited to independent sponsors, it is widely attended by this community.

  • The Self Funded Search Conference- Hosted by the Self-Funded Search Association (SFSA) in Dallas in November. Seats are limited with a selection process.


Meetups and Regional Networking

  • Opus Connect Local Summits- In addition to national events, Opus Connect hosts one-day, invitation-only events in cities like Chicago, Miami and Boston that pair independent sponsors with capital providers through pre-scheduled meetings.

  • National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) - A research center at The Ohio State University providing data and insights on U.S. middle-market businesses. Independent Sponsors use NCMM for market analysis to inform deal theses and connect through its industry events and research-driven networking opportunities.

  • Self-Funded Search Association (SFSA) Events- SFSA hosts national and regional gatherings for self-funded acquirers. The Self-Funded Search Conference (Nov 7–9, 2025 in Dallas) attracts 200+ attendees for workshops and networking​. SFSA also organizes local happy hours and meetups.

  • Searchfunder Community Meetups- Members of Searchfunder often form local meetup groups typically announced via LinkedIn or the Searchfunder community.


Law Firms with Independent Sponsor Programs

Recommended Law Firms Partnered with Verivend

  • McGuireWoods – Pioneered the independent sponsor practice. Its nationally recognized program (“a first-of-its-kind law firm enterprise”) connects independent sponsors with capital partners and hosts networking groups across the country. McGuireWoods also runs the Independent Sponsor Conference and thought-leadership in this space​. Verivend Partner and key contact: Christian Berger.

  • Lippes Mathias – A mid-sized law firm with a dedicated Private Equity and Independent Sponsor practice. Known for structuring sponsor-led deals and representing sponsors in capital raises, co-investments, and exits. Verivend Partner and key contact: John Koeppel.

  • Sadis & Goldberg - A boutique law firm specializing in alternative investments, including private funds and Independent Sponsors. Offers fund formation, regulatory guidance, and transactional support tailored to sponsors and emerging managers. Verivend Partner and key contact: Paul Marino.

Other Law Firms for Independent Sponsors


Accounting, Advisory, and Transaction Services for Independent Sponsors

  • CohnReznik - A national accounting and advisory firm offering transaction advisory, tax structuring, and due diligence services. Independent Sponsors often engage CohnReznick for quality of earnings reports, fund formation tax strategy, and financial modeling support.

  • Citrin Cooperman - A full-service advisory and accounting firm with strong middle-market M&A capabilities. Known for its transaction advisory services, Citrin Cooperman supports Independent Sponsors with due diligence, structuring guidance, and post-close integration planning.


Human Resources (HR) & PEO Services for Independent Sponsors

  • AspenHR- A boutique PEO and HR services provider focused on private equity-backed companies, venture-backed startups, and family offices. Independent Sponsors use AspenHR for scalable HR, payroll, and benefits infrastructure post-acquisition. AspenHR is a Verivend Partner.

  • Insperity- A national PEO offering full-service HR, compliance, and employee management solutions. Independent Sponsors leverage Insperity to professionalize HR functions in newly acquired portfolio companies and manage employment-related risk.


Growth and Commercial Strategy for Independent Sponsors

  • Craig Group - A growth and GTM consultancy. Independent Sponsors work with Craig Group pre- and post-close to validate growth assumptions, identify revenue levers, and accelerate performance in portfolio companies.


Independent Sponsor Focused Media Podcasts for Independent Sponsors

  • Acquisitions Anonymous Podcast- A group of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors break down real small business listings and discuss the ins and outs of buying and operating them. Each episode dives into different industries, financials, and deal structures, offering insights for aspiring business buyers. Acquisitions Anonymous is a Verivend Partner.

  • Acquiring Minds Podcast - is a podcast focused on entrepreneurs buying small businesses, with frequent coverage of Independent Sponsors and fundless deal-by-deal strategies. It features real-world interviews with operators who raise capital without a committed fund to acquire and grow companies.

  • Deal-by-Deal Podcast (McGuireWoods) – A regular podcast series focusing on private equity and independent sponsors. Hosted by McGuireWoods partners, it explores dealmaking topics with an emphasis on the fundless model​.

  • Karma School of Business Podcast (BluWave) – The BluWave network’s flagship podcast has featured episodes on fundless sponsorship. For example, episode 69 titled “The Independent Sponsor Model” features founders Doug Song and Erik Ginsberg discussing industry evolution and deal strategy.


Independent Sponsors Reports


Newsletters, Blogs & Influencers

  • investing.io- A newsletter for entrepreneurial investors. Weekly deep dive into SMBs, startups, private equity, and interesting assets.

  • Private Equity Guy (Mikk Markus)- An X account, newsletter and podcast focused on building businesses through deal-by-deal acquisitions. He offers practical insights for Independent Sponsors on sourcing, financing, and operating without a committed fund.

  • Chris Schuering - Lawyer specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions and Investment Fund Formation & SPVs for PE and Independent Sponsors. X & LinkedIn.

  • 51 Labs - Marketing agency and #1 content creator for the lower-middle market and Independent Sponsors on LinkedIn.

Online Resources and Tutorials

  • A Simple Model (ASM) Blog and YouTube Series – The ASM blog and video interviews include content on the independent sponsors. For example, its “Becoming an Independent Sponsor” interview explains practical steps for sourcing deals and raising capital.

  • iGlobal Emerging Independent Sponsor Masterclass – Online course for new fundless sponsors, covering deal sourcing, funding, structuring, and execution. Launched in 2023, it offers on-demand content from private equity experts and is marketed as the first digital program exclusively for emerging Independent Sponsors.

Who did we miss in our list of key programs and resources for Independent Sponsors? Let us know in the comments!   Want to join the Verivend Partner Program? Contact jim.burke@verivend.com Next up in our Independent Sponsors Series, 'The Capital Stack for Independent Sponsors' including suggested capital providers and the pros and cons of common structures.

 
 
 
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