ECP Ventures is a Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) advisory firm that provides strategic guidance to business owners in the Lower Middle Market (companies with annual revenues between $5 Million to $100 million).
As experienced financial professionals, we combine decades of corporate and private equity expertise to guide business owners through the complexities of selling or merging their companies.
Selling a business does not have to be complicated
Expert Mergers & Acquisitions guidance, built on trust, transparency and the ability to fulfill client expectations through ethical M&A strategies. No hidden fees or lengthy contracts - only ethical representation.
Trusted Strategic Advisors
We Are Not Business Brokers
WHO ARE WE?
Unlike brokers who simply "flip" companies, we perform as trusted advisors, committed to securing the best possible outcome for you and your company. Our approach is rooted in transparency, Christian values, integrity, and a relentless drive for results.
Whether you're a business owner looking to transition or a buyer seeking strategic growth, we're here to ensure your success. Explore our services to learn how we can help you succeed.
Whether you're a business owner looking to transition or a buyer seeking strategic growth, we're here to ensure your success. Explore our services to learn how we can help you succeed.
NUMBERS THAT COUNT
20 Years
of Fortune 500 Financial Experience
40 Years
of Mergers and Acquisitions experience and a proven track record of finding the best deals across industries for ethics driven buyers and sellers
150 Days
Definitive transaction process from start to closing the deal
500+ Buyers
Qualified and vetted by us in our Network
100% Success Based
Success based fees - we only get paid when we close your transaction successfully
10+ Industries
Expertise across healthcare, manufacturing, construction, technology, logistics, home services, industrial services and more
WHO WE SERVE
At ECP Ventures, we exclusively represent business sellers. Our fiduciary responsibility is solely to the business owners we serve, ensuring their best interests are protected throughout the entire sales process. We don’t play both sides—buyers who work with us gain access to high-quality companies without ever paying us fees.
This keeps our buying relationships transparent, ethical, and focused on finding the right match. Our relationship with buyers is built on trust and established credibility, with the long-term goal of selling them five companies over five years.
Our commitment to our sellers is to represent, serve, and protect them with the highest level of integrity and performance standards. Our goal is to strive to secure at least five strong offers that align with their financial goals and qualitative requirements.
This keeps our buying relationships transparent, ethical, and focused on finding the right match. Our relationship with buyers is built on trust and established credibility, with the long-term goal of selling them five companies over five years.
Our commitment to our sellers is to represent, serve, and protect them with the highest level of integrity and performance standards. Our goal is to strive to secure at least five strong offers that align with their financial goals and qualitative requirements.
Sellers we represent
Reach out to us today for a consultation and see how we can represent and support you and your business.
Get in touch
Legacy Companies
We work with established legacy companies seeking a buyer who will honor their history and values. Our process ensures your company’s legacy remains intact throughout the transition.
HIGH GROWTH COMPANIES
For businesses looking to scale through mergers and acquisitions, we align you with buyers who can help accelerate growth while maintaining the core of what makes your business successful.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
We assist companies seeking strategic partnerships, ensuring you find the right buyer or partner to expand your market reach and achieve your growth objectives
Buyers we work with
Register and join our network of 500+ “First Look” buyers, and join our database to find the target companies you are seeking.
Synergistic Industry Buyers
Whether you're a market leader or disruptive challenger, we'll leverage our deep industry connections to identify complementary acquisition targets that strengthen your competitive edge. With our guidance, you can execute synergistic deals that propel your business to new heights.
Financial Buyers
As a private equity firm, family office, or financial investor, we'll source the most compelling acquisition opportunities to fuel your growth objectives. Our data-driven approach and transactional expertise ensure a seamless process from start to finish.
Private Equity BuyerS
As seasoned dealmakers, we'll leverage our vast network and analytical capabilities to pinpoint the ideal targets, working closely with you to structure transactions that maximize returns for your fund and investors.
Family Office Buyers
Building a diversified, high-performing portfolio requires a personalized, white-glove approach. We'll connect you with businesses that align with your family's vision and values, helping you make strategic acquisitions that stand the test of time.
Competitor Buyers
Looking to expand your market share or gain a clear competitive advantage? We'll identify targets that seamlessly integrate with your existing operations, ensuring a smooth consolidation process that strengthens your position in the industry.
High Net Worth Buyers
As a savvy individual investor, we'll meticulously screen and vett businesses that fit your investment strategy and risk profile, presenting you with options that have significant growth potential.
OUR SERVICES
Mergers and Acquisitions
Accelerating your business legacy with 5+ qualified offers in 150 days through our exclusive seller-focused approach.
Learn MoreStrategic Advisory Services
Maximizing your company's value and market position today to secure premium offers tomorrow.
Learn MoreDue Diligence and Negotiation
Transforming complex transactions into clear victories through meticulous execution and expert deal advocacy.
Learn MoreOUR APPROACH
ECP Ventures stands out by offering a highly personalized and ethical approach to M&A. We don’t charge upfront fees and we only get paid when we deliver results. Our deep commitment to legacy preservation sets us apart, ensuring that your company’s values remain intact throughout the transaction process. With a network of over 500 qualified buyers, we connect sellers with buyers who align with their vision, not just their financial goals.
OUR EDGE
Our 150 days 10-stage process minimizes risk and maximizes results.
OUR PROCESS
Your Journey Through Our 150-Day 10-Stage Transaction Process
At ECP Ventures, selling your business is not just a transaction—it’s a pivotal moment in your journey. We firmly believe that we can sell any high quality company in 150 days. Our definitive streamlined 10-stage process ensures you're guided with expertise, empathy, and unwavering dedication.
OUR TEAM
Cliff Gardner and Eric Wilhelm, founders of ECP Ventures, bring decades of experience from working with multi-billion-dollar companies. Transitioning to the Lower Middle Market (LMM) — companies valued between $5M and $100M — was eye-opening.
They were astounded by the unethical practices they encountered, including brokers charging upfront fees and undervaluing businesses for a quick sale. Additionally, they saw buyers exploiting sellers by acquiring businesses for far less than their true worth with unsolicited LOI’s.
Even more alarming was the widespread tax evasion among many business owners. At ECP Ventures, integrity is paramount.
As a Christian firm, we offer business owners a trustworthy, high-integrity option for their transactions.
Our mission is simple:
To serve and uplift others with ethical, transparent and results-driven M&A advisory services.
They were astounded by the unethical practices they encountered, including brokers charging upfront fees and undervaluing businesses for a quick sale. Additionally, they saw buyers exploiting sellers by acquiring businesses for far less than their true worth with unsolicited LOI’s.
Even more alarming was the widespread tax evasion among many business owners. At ECP Ventures, integrity is paramount.
As a Christian firm, we offer business owners a trustworthy, high-integrity option for their transactions.
Our mission is simple:
To serve and uplift others with ethical, transparent and results-driven M&A advisory services.
Cliff Gardner
A distinguished CPA graduate from the University of Northern Iowa (top three US accounting program), Cliff launched an impressive career that rocketed from Staff Accountant to EVP and Division CFO for Fortune 500 companies.
His expertise spans Mergers & Acquisitions, Industry Rollups, Financial & Operational Management, and SEC Reporting. He has successfully led transactions from both buy and sell sides, including an IPO.His remarkable career highlights include providing financial direction for the world's largest open heart surgery company (50,000 surgeries annually) as CFO, as well as performing as a full NASCAR partner and MLB and Collegiate Products licensee.
On the entrepreneurial front he co-founded the auto industry's most extensive OEM auto parts eCommerce platform ever created with 165 million parts applications on a single site. He personally conducted an offering and sold his auto parts platform to AutoNation, America's largest auto dealer group.
Today, Cliff enjoys channeling his Fortune 500 expertise into leveling the playing field for the benefit of small and mid-sized business owners during crucial sales transactions.
His Christian faith drives his philanthropic venture, Praying As One (www.prayingasone.com), which distributes unique 12" handheld crosses. He also founded FansAlign (www.fansalign.com), aiming to unite one million MLB fans into a powerful collective voice.
A dedicated family man, Cliff shares his life with his wife and five children, including a daughter at Google, a son at AppFolio, and three "bonus" children from his second marriage. His passion for baseball runs deep - he holds season tickets for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers, and his baseball essay "Extreme Passion" earned a place in Cooperstown's Hall of Fame.
His expertise spans Mergers & Acquisitions, Industry Rollups, Financial & Operational Management, and SEC Reporting. He has successfully led transactions from both buy and sell sides, including an IPO.His remarkable career highlights include providing financial direction for the world's largest open heart surgery company (50,000 surgeries annually) as CFO, as well as performing as a full NASCAR partner and MLB and Collegiate Products licensee.
On the entrepreneurial front he co-founded the auto industry's most extensive OEM auto parts eCommerce platform ever created with 165 million parts applications on a single site. He personally conducted an offering and sold his auto parts platform to AutoNation, America's largest auto dealer group.
Today, Cliff enjoys channeling his Fortune 500 expertise into leveling the playing field for the benefit of small and mid-sized business owners during crucial sales transactions.
His Christian faith drives his philanthropic venture, Praying As One (www.prayingasone.com), which distributes unique 12" handheld crosses. He also founded FansAlign (www.fansalign.com), aiming to unite one million MLB fans into a powerful collective voice.
A dedicated family man, Cliff shares his life with his wife and five children, including a daughter at Google, a son at AppFolio, and three "bonus" children from his second marriage. His passion for baseball runs deep - he holds season tickets for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers, and his baseball essay "Extreme Passion" earned a place in Cooperstown's Hall of Fame.
Eric Wilhelm
A Biola University graduate with an Accounting degree and Biblical Studies minor, Eric launched his career by passing the CPA exam and joining Deloitte, a prestigious "Big 4" firm. His trajectory soared from Staff Auditor to Controller to Vice President of Finance, specializing in private equity portfolio companies across medical, dental, optical, automotive, and commercial construction sectors.
In a pivotal career moment, Eric became the second employee of a groundbreaking startup, where he immersed himself in every aspect of business building - from establishing back-office operations to product development and brand creation. This hands-on experience forged his deep appreciation for entrepreneurs and their relentless journey in building valuable businesses.
Today, Eric channels his extensive financial expertise into helping business owners navigate sales and acquisitions, driven by a passionate commitment to serve others. A devoted Christian, he lives in Flower Mound, TX, with his wife Jaclyn, where they raise their three children grounded in their faith in Jesus Christ's grace and mercy.
In a pivotal career moment, Eric became the second employee of a groundbreaking startup, where he immersed himself in every aspect of business building - from establishing back-office operations to product development and brand creation. This hands-on experience forged his deep appreciation for entrepreneurs and their relentless journey in building valuable businesses.
Today, Eric channels his extensive financial expertise into helping business owners navigate sales and acquisitions, driven by a passionate commitment to serve others. A devoted Christian, he lives in Flower Mound, TX, with his wife Jaclyn, where they raise their three children grounded in their faith in Jesus Christ's grace and mercy.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Experience the difference of working with a trusted partner committed to your success.