Harris Williams & Co., a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide, releases proprietary research about M&A conducted as part of an exclusive partnership with Inc., the only major media brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies. The study, fielded by Inc. and Harris Williams & Co., surveyed nearly 700 CEOs and top executives of privately held, high growth companies that have been recognized on the Inc. 5000 lists. The research provides insight into middle market companies across a wide range of industries about near-term plans for M&A. The results show that about 81% of survey respondents are interested in M&A over the next three years. The majority of respondents, 52%, indicated that they anticipate to sell their business, but only 25% currently have a detailed exit strategy in place. Please click here to review the full white paper analyzing the research results, which is published on Harris Williams & Co.’s website.

“Our firm has a long history of advising leading middle market companies, many of whom have been recognized on Inc. 5000 lists. Conducting this research with Inc. allows us to provide relevant insight and perspective as a resource to business leaders, investors and buyers.”

“The research findings provide a deeper understanding of the drivers of M&A for growing companies and hopes and fears management teams have about selling or acquiring a business,” said Hiter Harris, a managing director and co-founder of Harris Williams & Co. “Our firm has a long history of advising leading middle market companies, many of whom have been recognized on Inc. 5000 lists. Conducting this research with Inc. allows us to provide relevant insight and perspective as a resource to business leaders, investors and buyers.”

“By talking directly to executives about M&A, we have a better view of near-term opportunities in the middle market,” added Chris Williams, a managing director and co-founder of Harris Williams & Co. “The findings suggest that high growth, quality assets will continue entering the market, which enables us to bring new opportunities to bear for buyers and sellers.”