Our Pandemic Start and The M&A Industry

733Park Check-In: Our pandemic start and the M&A industry

In this week's 733Park Check-In, we hear from our Founder and Managing Director, Lane Gordon. During the last 20 years, Lane has been active in investment banking, developing and executing many successful public and private equity roll-up strategies in fintech, payments, and SaaS. Today we look into 733Park's pandemic start and discuss investment banking.

Companies more than ever before are seeking opportunities to add value and diversify their operations. As a result, the M&A industry is the hottest it has ever been. Despite this, two vital things are often missing from M&A services: high-quality client attention, and specialization in specific areas.

Lane knew he had to fix this. After starting his previous firm in 2005, Lane launched 733Park during the pandemic of 2020, a more modern and personalized approach to M&A services that aspires to deliver both personal client attention and expertise in payments, SaaS, and fintech.

What's happening today?

The M&A industry is booming. With interest rates historically low and huge amounts of capital available to pursue opportunities, investors recognize that private and public companies offer incredible value. 733Park's detailed and personalized approach is helping both principals and investors maximize value.

Where do you see investment banking going?

Lane mentions that more firms will adjust their service offerings and focus on their areas of strength, shifting from generalist firms toward specialist firms. "It's very difficult to be a master of all. You add very little value unless you have expertise in a niche." Transactions done at 733Park have ranged from $3 million on the low end to $400 million on the high end, but the firm consistently executes on transactions between $20 million and $80 million.

What's the most interesting trend, and how is it different from pre-COVID?

Lane spoke on the vital pivot to cloud-based services, automation, and online ordering. Technologies got a massive boost from the pandemic, as businesses like small restaurants had to adopt online ordering platforms and contactless payment to stay open. What really interests Lane is what happens after COVID-19: he believes the shift to remote learning and telemedicine is permanent. "Pandora's box has been opened. I don't think there's any going back."