FOCUS Investment Banking

FOCUS Investment Banking FOCUS is a trusted middle market bank with a rich history, deep resources and proven results.

We embrace a client-first philosophy centered on personalized service, deep industry expertise, and delivering results-driven solutions.

Europe remains one of the most attractive growth opportunities for food & beverage brands, especially across protein, fu...
06/12/2026

Europe remains one of the most attractive growth opportunities for food & beverage brands, especially across protein, functional nutrition, and Better-For-You categories.

With 450M+ consumers and strong retail infrastructure, the opportunity is significant, but so are the barriers to entry, from fragmented retail to regulatory complexity.

Strategic partnerships are often the preferred route to market, offering faster access, local expertise, and a lower-risk path to scale versus greenfield expansion or acquisition.
For many brands, European expansion is best approached in phases: prioritize markets, identify partners, structure the model, and scale based on feedback.

Read the full article here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w6-LQ0

06/11/2026

"Selecting the right buyer is about far more than price."

When selling a business, valuation matters. But so do deal certainty, buyer preparedness, and confidence that the buyer truly understands what they're acquiring.

In this clip, Mike Harris shares how he evaluated potential buyers, what separated the strongest candidates from the rest, and why trust and alignment ultimately played a major role in his decision.

Watch the full interview here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v_gNC0

FOCUS is heading to Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22–25.Kevin Frisch, Managing Director, will be attending North Americ...
06/10/2026

FOCUS is heading to Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22–25.

Kevin Frisch, Managing Director, will be attending North America’s largest automation and robotics event and looks forward to connecting with business owners, executives, investors, and industry leaders across the manufacturing and industrial technology ecosystem.

If you’re exploring growth opportunities, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, or capital solutions, we’d welcome the chance to connect and discuss what’s shaping the future of automation.

Learn more about the event here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w1wS-0

06/09/2026

"There's a big difference between M&A advisors and true investment bankers who are market makers."

When Mike Harris decided to sell Worksighted, he wasn't just looking for an advisor. He wanted a team with deep market expertise, strong buyer relationships, and the resources to manage every aspect of the process.

In this clip, Mike explains why he chose FOCUS and how having a full team behind the transaction helped create a more organized, competitive, and successful outcome.

Watch the full interview here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v_gNl0

06/05/2026

"It kind of feels like getting an MBA in about eight months."

Selling a business is more than a financial transaction. It's an emotional and mental journey filled with uncertainty, tough decisions, and valuable lessons.

In this clip, Mike Harris, CEO at Worksighted, shares what he wishes every business owner knew before starting the sale process.

Watch the full interview here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vXwz30

Worksighted started as a door-to-door IT services business and grew organically into a ~$30M managed services provider o...
06/04/2026

Worksighted started as a door-to-door IT services business and grew organically into a ~$30M managed services provider over 25 years.

As AI accelerated change across the industry, founder Mike Harris recognized that competing in the next phase would require capabilities and scale beyond what the business could build alone on its own timeline. That inflection point led to a decision to explore a sale as a strategic path forward.

FOCUS ran a full market process, engaging 132 buyers and generating strong competitive interest, as evidenced by 87 signed NDAs, ultimately resulting in 8 LOIs and a successful transaction with a strategically aligned buyer positioned to support the company’s next stage of growth. As Mike said, “FOCUS didn’t just run a process—they made a market.”

The outcome reflects the importance of timing, process, and buyer selection in maximizing both value and long-term fit.

Read the full case study here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vV1Hg0

Artemis Capital Partners’ acquisition of Optikos Corporation highlights an important shift for founder-owned photonics b...
06/03/2026

Artemis Capital Partners’ acquisition of Optikos Corporation highlights an important shift for founder-owned photonics businesses.

Rather than a traditional buyout, the deal reflects a partial recapitalization with continued founder involvement, partial liquidity, and ongoing upside participation alongside operational continuity. It reinforces that private equity now offers structures beyond full exits.

It also signals broader momentum in the sector. As Artemis Capital Partners builds Optikos as a platform in optical engineering and metrology, competing platforms are likely to emerge, reshaping valuation dynamics across fragmented industrial technology markets.

For founders, the takeaway is simple: options extend beyond a sale, but the timing window for platform-stage outcomes may be narrowing.

Read the full blog here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vPpV-0

Reshoring is no longer just about geography. It is a technology-driven shift in how manufacturing is built and operated ...
06/02/2026

Reshoring is no longer just about geography. It is a technology-driven shift in how manufacturing is built and operated in the U.S.

As supply chain disruption, geopolitics, and cost pressures persist, companies are turning to automation and robotics to close the gap with offshore labor advantages and rebuild production domestically.

Modern smart factories powered by Industry 4.0 technologies including AI, digital twins, machine vision, and robotics are enabling higher efficiency, faster ramp-up, and reduced reliance on labor.

This is accelerating both investment and M&A activity across manufacturing and automation-enabled businesses as companies look to fund or acquire the capabilities needed for the next phase of growth.

Read more: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vPmKQ0

M&A is often presented as a clean, structured process. In reality, it’s closer to buying a vintage sports car that looks...
05/29/2026

M&A is often presented as a clean, structured process.

In reality, it’s closer to buying a vintage sports car that looks perfect…until someone opens the hood.

Beyond the glossy slides, there is frantic and endless due diligence requests, caffeine fueled late night negotiations, last-minute dramas and at the end everyone is tired, but no one can quit. But that’s what makes the process both chaotic and compelling.

Our latest blog explores the unscripted reality of getting deals done, and why surviving the chaos is part of the job.

Read more: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vK2_N0

Today’s M&A market is more complex, but strong companies are still achieving strong outcomes.Our latest blog explores th...
05/21/2026

Today’s M&A market is more complex, but strong companies are still achieving strong outcomes.

Our latest blog explores the key issues business owners are navigating right now, including market volatility, deal financing, exit timing, company culture, and labor pressures.

In this environment, preparation and discipline matter more than ever.

Read the full blog: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vxWtB0

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