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Merit Investment Bank Advises Conscious Leadership on Its Minority Recapitalization and Partnership With RF Investment Partners

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Merit Investment Bank & Co., a leading middle-market investment bank, is honored to have served as exclusive financial adviser to Conscious Leadership in its minority recapitalization by and in partnership with RF Investment Partners. 

SEATTLEMarch 10, 2022 (PRLog/PRWeb) — Headquartered near Salt Lake City, Conscious Leadership is a premier provider of global leadership services, development, assessments and certifications. Its Leadership Circle platform is a true breakthrough among 360-degree leadership profiles and allows Conscious Leadership to go to the source of behavior to gain greater leverage on meaningful change. Using this platform, they can provide critical solutions and insight to corporations and institutions worldwide. 

Nick DeVaney, president of Merit Investment Bank & Co., commented, “We were beyond excited to represent Conscious Leadership and its exceptional team in its minority recapitalization by RF Investment Partners. Conscious Leadership was searching for a committed and aligned partner, and we believe the strategic and cultural fit between RF and the company will solidify Conscious Leadership as the leader in the space.” He continued, “The Conscious Leadership team operates at such a high level of integrity and authenticity and as a globally recognized and respected leader. That foundation combined with the RF team’s shared values, vision and resources is sure to create highly impactful outcomes for its clients moving forward. This will be a fun one to watch.” 

Merit Investment Bank leveraged its intimate and in-depth knowledge of Conscious Leadership to make the connection with RF Investment Partners for its fit, network, growth focus and unique exposure to the industry. By utilizing a diligent process and careful negotiations, Merit Investment Bank was able to achieve an above-market outcome for Conscious Leadership. 

Bill Adams, CEO and co-founder of Conscious Leadership, stated that “RF Investment Partners is the ideal team to help achieve our goals and objectives and expand our vision. With its reach in this industry, integrity and expert counsel, we fully expect to accelerate our growth and achieve great success moving forward. RF has already added significant value in a short amount of time.” 

He offered, “I wanted to work with an investment banking firm that was going to be able to understand our business, get to know me and my team, and not only help us secure the investor, but help us find the right investor because it understood what we really needed. We got that and more with Merit Investment Bank. Its strategic guidance, patience and diligence were critical in getting this transaction finished and was the difference maker in this process.” 

Legal advisory was provided by Ben Beasley and the team at Freeman Lovell of Sandy, Utah.  

About RF Investment Partners 
 
RF Investment Partners (“RF”) currently manages $328 million through multiple investment vehicles including a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) fund, dedicated to using flexible financing solutions to support exceptional management teams of lower-middle-market companies with $2 to $10 million of EBITDA. For additional information about RF, please visit at www.rf-partners.com. 

About Conscious Leadership 

Conscious Leadership, based near Salt Lake City, is a premium provider of leadership services, development, assessments and certifications. Utilizing its Leadership Circle platform, Conscious Leadership provides critical solutions to corporations and institutions worldwide. 
 
About Merit Investment Bank & Company 
 
Merit Investment Bank is a leading boutique investment bank focused on serving middle-market, technology-forward companies. Merit Investment Bank executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A and capital advisory services with specific emphasis on the technology, software, tech-enabled, consumer, telecom/wireless and manufacturing/Industry 4.0 sectors. In addition, Merit Investment Bank offers other investment banking services such as debt and equity capital raises, restructuring advisory services, business valuations and project financing. Merit Investment Bank Securities, member FINRA/SIPC, is a full-service broker-dealer licensed in 50 states. 
 
Learn more at www.meritinvestmentbank.com

Contact 
Jodi Roberts 

Jodi.Roberts@meritinvestmentbank.com

Date:
Analyst:
Client / Target:
Buyer / Acquirer:

1. Executive Summary

Provide a concise overview of the buyer, their relevance to the transaction, and the recommendation outcome.

  • Buyer Type: [Strategic / Financial / Individual / Family Office / PE Group]
  • Transaction Objective: [Acquisition / Merger / Investment / Minority Stake]
  • Fit Summary: [Strong / Moderate / Weak]
  • Recommendation: [Proceed / Further Review / Not Recommended]

2. Buyer Overview

Detail the buyer’s background, structure, and operational scope.

  • Legal Name:
  • Headquarters Location:
  • Founded:
  • Ownership Structure: [Public / Private / Subsidiary / Fund-backed]
  • Key Executives: [List Names and Titles]
  • Business Description:
    • Core business model and markets served
    • Recent performance highlights
    • Strategic direction and acquisition history

3. Financial Profile

Provide financial strength and acquisition capacity.

Metric FY2023 FY2022 FY2021 Notes
Revenue $ $ $
EBITDA $ $ $
Net Income $ $ $
Debt / EBITDA
Liquidity (Cash & Equivalents)
Credit Rating / Bank References

Observations:

  • Assess financial stability, leverage, and acquisition funding capacity.
  • Note any recent financing rounds or divestitures that may impact transaction readiness.

4. Strategic Fit Analysis

Evaluate how the buyer aligns with the target’s sector, operations, and value proposition.

Factor Evaluation Comments
Market / Sector Alignment
Product / Service Synergies
Geographic Overlap
Cultural / Leadership Compatibility
Acquisition History

Summary:

  • Highlight integration opportunities and strategic rationale.
  • Discuss any potential conflicts (e.g., overlapping clients or competitive products).

5. Transaction Readiness

Assess buyer’s ability and intent to complete a transaction.

Criteria Rating Notes
Deal Experience High / Medium / Low
Management Commitment High / Medium / Low
Financing Certainty High / Medium / Low
Speed to Close High / Medium / Low
Due Diligence Responsiveness High / Medium / Low

6. Risk Assessment

Identify potential issues that could affect deal success.

  • Operational Risks: [Integration complexity, cultural mismatch, regulatory exposure]
  • Financial Risks: [Over-leverage, uncertain funding, market volatility]
  • Reputation Risks: [Litigation, ethics concerns, public perception]
  • Execution Risks: [Deal fatigue, management bandwidth, approval bottlenecks]

7. Conclusion and Recommendation

Summarize the findings and proposed course of action.

  • Overall Buyer Rating: [A / B / C / D]
  • Transaction Feasibility: [Strong / Moderate / Low]
  • Recommended Next Step:
    • Proceed to next phase of discussions
    • Request additional diligence materials
    • Discontinue engagement

8. Appendices

  • Financial statements (summary extracts)
  • News articles and acquisition announcements
  • Management bios
  • Comparable transactions

Merit Investment Bank as a leading boutique investment bank is focused on entrepreneurial middle-market companies. Merit Investment Bank Executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services, debt and equity capital raises, corporate finance, and valuation services.

Securities offered through Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA/SIPC. Merit Investment Bank and Finalis Securities LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.

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