Private equity firms are actively seeking businesses in Northeast Florida.
The article was published by the Jacksonville Daily Record and may be accessed through the following link.
By Bill Sorenson | Guest Columnist | 12:05 a.m. August 15, 2025
If you’re a family business owner in Northeast Florida and haven’t begun planning for your exit, now is the time to take a serious look at your options, especially given the current strength of the private capital markets.
Florida is one of the hottest markets in the country for mergers and acquisitions activity. Private equity groups, family offices and strategic acquirers are actively seeking to invest in or acquire established, well-run businesses and they have Northeast Florida on their radar.
Surprised? The Jacksonville metro area is home to about 230 private equity-backed companies, supported by about 115 private equity firms.
Of those companies, 103 transactions alone have generated more than $2.7 billion in reported funding.
Roughly 20 private equity and venture capital firms maintain offices in the Jacksonville area, providing a local presence and network that owners can tap into.
This isn’t speculation, it’s a consistent trend backed by real transactions.
Since 2020, Jacksonville-based companies have been involved in more than 140 private equity acquisitions, with annual deal closings ranging from 20 to 33 per year.
In 2025, activity has remained steady, with 15 acquisitions already completed year-to-date. This activity occurred during a relatively high-interest market, which constrains acquisition activity.
When interest rates drop, and they will at some point, there will be a significant uptick in acquisition activity as financial buyers will find more affordable lending to fuel growth.
Despite this, many family business owners continue to delay a very important decision.
Succession planning is often viewed as something to address later or only when circumstances dictate a transition of the business to the next generation.
But here’s the truth: Not every family member wants to or is capable of taking the reins, and not every transition to a family member works out as hoped.
When planning for succession, owners should also consider the upside of preparing their company for a potential sale when market conditions are favorable.
That doesn’t mean you have to sell now, but it does mean giving yourself the option to strike when the iron is hot. When is that time? That will depend on your goals but Warren Buffett’s “sell on good news, buy on bad” is a proven strategy.
What makes a business valuable in the eyes of private capital? The same things that make it easier to manage today: clean financials, a reliable leadership team, documented processes, recurring revenue, strong and diverse customer relationships, and a healthy culture.
These aren’t optional; they’re essential in today’s competitive market, and well within your ability to influence and improve.
If you’ve tackled these challenges and your business is on an upward trajectory, you will easily find interested buyers.
And while your family may no longer be the majority owner of the business, the family members involved in the business may see a great opportunity if they stay on board and help the buyer continue to grow the business.
Most buyers want those key members to stay on board and will provide incentives to reward them for the growth they help create.
Timing matters in every transaction. If you wait for burnout, illness or family conflict to force a decision, you could be selling under less than ideal conditions.
However, if you start cleaning up operations, building value drivers and exploring your options now, you’ll be positioned to act when the timing is right for you.
Even if your ideal path is still to transition the business to a child or key employee, having a market-based valuation and a plan that includes third-party interest can help you structure a more informed and fair arrangement.
That way, your legacy isn’t left to chance and neither is your family’s financial future. The good news is, even if you don’t sell, the process of preparing to sell will benefit you as the primary shareholder. You will create a more valuable asset for your family’s estate.
Ultimately, succession isn’t just about who takes over. It’s about being intentional with the value you’ve built, while the market is still working in your favor.
Don’t wait until a crisis makes the decision for you. The best time to start these conversations, begin planning and take meaningful steps is today.
Your family, your employees, and your community are counting on you to lead the transition — on your terms.
Bill Sorenson is the CEO and managing director, respectively, at Jacksonville-based companies Heritage Capital Group, an investment banking and financial advisory firm, and Business Valuation Inc., a valuation firm specializing in comprehensive business valuation services, litigation support and advisory services.
