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Cre8tive Technology & Design’s Strategic Acquisition Case Study
Epicenter has been acquired by Cre8tive Technology & Design

Transaction Description:

Merit Investment Bank partnered with Cre8tive Technology & Design to successfully identify, structure, and close the strategic acquisition of Epicenter. Leveraging our deep sector expertise and longstanding industry relationships, Merit guided both parties through a complex process with precision, diplomacy, and speed — delivering a transformative outcome for Cre8tive that enhanced its market position and growth trajectory.

Case Study

The Challenge

Facilitating a transaction between two direct competitors requires a delicate balance of strategy, trust-building, and tactical execution. Adding to the complexity, Merit was tasked with managing a dual-track process: simultaneously negotiating the acquisition while raising outside capital to fund the transaction.

To meet a firm year-end deadline (December 31), all parties required swift action, constant coordination, and absolute certainty — with no margin for error.

The Solution

Merit designed and executed a parallel process, securing acquisition financing while advancing transaction negotiations. By cultivating alignment between buyer, seller, and capital partners, we structured a transaction that met the strategic and financial objectives of all parties involved.
 
Key elements of our approach included:
 

  • Seamless Capital Integration: A significant portion of the outside capital was allocated directly to the acquisition, ensuring frictionless funding at closing.
  • Stakeholder Coordination: Merit served as the central point of communication, synchronizing efforts across legal, financial, and operational workstreams.
  • Deadline Discipline: Through proactive project management and 24/7 responsiveness, we ensured that all requirements were met ahead of the year-end deadline.
The Results
  • Buyer’s Goals Achieved: Cre8tive expanded its capabilities and market presence through a highly strategic acquisition.
  • Seller’s Goals Achieved: Epicenter’s shareholders achieved a full-value exit within a streamlined, efficient process.
  • Capital Partner’s Goals Achieved: Secured a growth-oriented investment aligned with attractive return potential.
  • Critical Deadline Met: Transaction and financing closed on schedule — by December 31.

    •  
    Through creative structuring, relentless execution, and trusted relationships, Merit Investment Bank once again delivered a solution where every stakeholder won.

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What our clients are saying

Meet Our Clients

Jeff Rubenstein

"The team at Merit Investment Bank works hard and puts in a lot of time and energy. And because of that, they're talking to people with a lot more sincerity than just putting out a deck. They went deeper and not only understood our strategy, but they understood how to pitch the right strategy to the folks on the other end of the transaction. They explained our business so a potential suitor understood how it could be integrated into their business.

Merit Investment Bank thought of a more strategic transaction and they built a better story. It's what's created more offers and what made the offers higher."

CEO, SmartProcure

Tom Fleck

"Merit Investment Bank not only did everything they promised, they provided significant strategic guidance required to help us navigate the path of getting this transaction across the finish line. Their patience, tenacity, and professionalism when things got tough was the difference in completing this transaction for us."

CEO, GlobalTech

Chris Noorda

“I greatly appreciated Merit Investment Bank’s expertise and guidance throughout this process and appreciated, even more, their attention to the intangible things that were important to me and my company beyond just getting a deal done.”

President, Noorda BEC

Marco Allegretti

“I enjoyed working with Merit Investment Bank—they made an enormous contribution in such a complex but successful transaction. I would be happy for the chance to give a reference in the future for what a great job they did!”

Private Equity / M&A Executive, Atlantia; SpA Managing Director, McKinsey & Co

Bill Adams

"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 then not only help us secure the investor, but help us find the right investor because they understood what we really needed. We got that and more with Merit Investment Bank. Their strategic guidance, patience, and diligence were critical in getting this transaction finished, and was the difference maker in this process.”

CEO and Cofounder, Conscious Leadership

Howard Perea

"We are thrilled with the outcome Merit Investment Bank delivered for our family through the sale of the business. With their guidance, we were able to unlock significant shareholder liquidity while positioning the employees of the company for continued success within a growing platform.”

Co-Owner, RAC Transport Inc.

D. Roberts

"We hired Merit Investment Bank over other investment bankers because of the responsiveness to our questions, aggressive approach to winning, persistence in following-up, and the many creative ideas the team presented. Merit Investment Bank added significant value beyond just running a process."

EVP, Project Yellowstone

Dave Carr

"Unlike many investment banks I've worked with during my career, Merit Investment Bank was attentive at all stages of our transaction, which really made a difference in achieving a great outcome."

CPA, Interim CFO

Mike Olson

“Through the broad auction, Merit Investment Bank got us another 75% above the offers that originally came in. We still have a piece of the company and I’m still able to run it. I feel good that our key employees are going to be secure in the future. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Keith Jackson

"The team at Merit Investment Bank have provided invaluable assistance in stabilizing and growing my company. They’ve helped with both short-term challenges and long-term planning. Their experience running multiple businesses like mine and vast network of contacts have brought value to my company and to me personally. If you want help taking your business to the next level, I highly recommend Merit Investment Bank."

Owner of Industrial Revolution, Inc.

Carl Peterson

"As a business/transactional attorney, I have had the opportunity to work with many investment bankers in the M&A arena. The Merit Investment Bank team is, without question, the best in the local middle-market space. They make clients feel comfortable by both listening to and provide thoughtful advice for legal counsel. Most importantly, they are able to negotiate a great deal.

Quite refreshingly, Merit Investment Bank puts the needs of the client above closing a deal – something very rare in the M&A world. I give my highest possible recommendation to the Merit Investment Bank team."

Managing Partner, Eisenhower Carlson PLLC

Gary Goeldner

"The Merit Investment Bank team has provided my company with professionalism and valuable counsel on multiple transactions. They listened to our needs, and as business operators themselves, they understood the opportunities open to us and the challenges we faced to grow. They fought hard for us at every stage. We would absolutely look to them for our future investment banking needs."

CFO, Apex Linen Service LLC

Walt Maas,

“The Merit Investment Bank team has extensive M&A and capital-raising experience in the middle market, both as investment bankers and entrepreneurs. They are great to have on an engagement team and are committed to helping clients succeed, whether buying or selling a business or sourcing capital to scale a growing business.”

Attorney & Partner, Karr Tuttle Campbelle
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