Key Resources For Independent Sponsors

Author: Jim Burke Last updated: July 2025 Estimated read time: 7 minutes

The Independent Sponsor model continues to grow, supported by an emerging ecosystem of high-quality partners, platforms, service providers, resources and media. At Verivend, we’ve evaluated this landscape closely—meeting many of these organizations and selecting those aligned with aligned the needs of Independent Sponsors.

This curated list highlights top resources across the ecosystem, including several we are proud to work with through the Verivend Partner Program. Whether you’re sourcing deals, raising capital, learning the ropes or looking to connect with other dealmakers, these partners offer valuable support at every stage of the investment lifecycle. We mapped out the best providers in the emerging ecosystem. Full list below.

Independent Sponsors Ecosystem

Key Resources For Independent Sponsors

• Organizations and Associations

• Deal Sourcing and Due Diligence

• Events and Conferences

• Law Firms with Independent Sponsor Programs

• Accounting, Advisory, HR and Business Services

• Media

• Research and Reports

• Online Resources and Tutorials

Organizations and Associations

Organizations for Independent Sponsors

• Emerging Manager Institute- Committed to supporting 30 new asset managers by 2030 ("30 by 30" pledge). The Institute hosts an annual Emerging Manager Summit for 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 Independent Sponsors & Capital Providers (ISCP) Club (in collaboration with iGlobal) is a membership community of thousands of independent sponsors and investors, offering industry content, 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, providing education and networking for 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 Sourcing for Independent Sponsors

Independent Sponsors find deals in several ways. They rely on proprietary sourcing, online marketplaces, M&A advisors, business brokers and professional relationships. Here are a few online marketplaces Independent Sponsors use 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 marketplace connecting independent sponsors with vetted investment opportunities and aligned capital partners. DFX is a Verivend Partner.

• CapitalPad- Designed for Independent Sponsors and small PE firms, CapitalPad facilitates deal sourcing and investor introductions.

• 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

Based on our analysis and firsthand experience attending Private Equity and Independent Sponsor-focused events nationwide, these conferences offer the most value, relevant networking and educational opportunities for Independent Sponsors in 2025 and 2026.

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 event in Dallas featuring panels, deal pitches and networking​. This flagship event has established itself as a premier networking venue where independent sponsors and capital providers form meaningful connections.

• 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

These firms maintain dedicated Independent Sponsors Teams, publish insights, support groups like ISF, host events and attend forums on sponsor led deals.

Recommended Law Firms Partnered with Verivend

• McGuireWoods – Pioneered the independent sponsor practice. They connect independent sponsors with capital partners and host a large conference and networking groups across the country. Verivend Partner and key contact: Christian Berger.

• Lippes Mathias – A mid-sized law firm with a dedicated 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

• Holland & Knight

• Ice Miller

• Winston & Strawn

• Moore & VanAllen 

Accounting, Advisory, and Transaction Services for Independent Sponsors

• CohnReznik - 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 - 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) and PEO Services for Independent Sponsors

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

• Insperity- 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 - Growth and go-to-market consultancy supporting independent sponsors pre- and post-close.

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 - Focused on entrepreneurs buying small businesses, with frequent coverage of Independent Sponsors and fundless deal-by-deal strategies.

• Deal-by-Deal Podcast (McGuireWoods) – A regular series focused on private equity and independent sponsors exploring dealmaking topics.

• Karma School of Business Podcast (BluWave) – Features episodes on Independent Sponsors, Private Equity industry evolution and deal strategy.

Independent Sponsors Reports

• 2024 Independent Sponsor Report (Citrin Cooperman)

• 2024 Deal Survey Report (McGuireWoods)

Newsletters, Blogs and Influencers

• investing.io- Newsletter for entrepreneurial investors, covering SMBs, startups, and private equity.

• Private Equity Guy (Mikk Markus)- X account, newsletter, and podcast focused on deal-by-deal acquisitions.

• Chris Schuering - Lawyer specializing in M&A and investment fund formation 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 – Includes interviews and tutorials on becoming an independent sponsor.

• iGlobal Emerging Independent Sponsor Masterclass – Online course covering deal sourcing, funding, structuring, and execution.

The Indepenent Sponsor ecosystem continues to evolve. If there’s a resource you’ve found valuable that isn’t included here, we’d welcome your input. Let us know in the comments!   Interested in joining 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.