ACG National Capital
For many entrepreneurs looking to go out on their own and start their own enterprise, an ongoing economic downturn would be considered the absolute worst time to make a move. For ACG National Capital members, Greg Treger and Joel Kallett, who were profiled in a recent issue of Mergers and Acquisitions, the risk was worth the reward.
Greg and Joel worked together at Houlihan Lokey, an international, advisory-focused investment bank, for five years. Prior to their time at Houlihan Lokey, they worked together at Updata Advisors Inc., a technology investment bank, prior to its merger with Signal Hill Capital Group in 2010.
It was during their time at Updata Advisors that they began to formulate the idea of launching their own company. They began laying the groundwork while at Houlihan, creating the relationships that would enable them to raise the money needed to get their new enterprise off the ground.
Leveraging existing relationships generated while assisting clients through mergers, acquisitions and private equity transactions, Greg and Joel raised approximately $10 million. This money, surprisingly raised in a very difficult economic environment, enabled them to bring together their team, including vice president, Bhavin Patel, and Bethany Seidler, who both worked with Greg and Joel at Houlihan Lokey.
The resulting company was named Clearsight Advisors, and focuses on advising technology companies in the commercial sector during mergers, acquisitions and other corporate growth transactions.
Based in McLean, VA, an active hub for technology companies that service various, the company has seen some immediate success. Since its inception, Clearsight has landed three mandates and is now actively looking to add new talent.
The market that Clearsight Advisors is entering is a crowded space, filled with larger, more established companies. However, Greg and Joel feel that the company is differentiated by targeting technology companies in the commercial sector, while many larger competitors focus on servicing government contractors.
We wish Greg and Joel the best in their newest endeavor. As ACG National Capital members, we know they have the business knowledge, expertise and resources available to make it a huge success.