Business Exit Advisors & Transition Planning.
Strategies on Your Terms.
Smarter business exit and transition planning from experienced advisors serving founders, operators, and their professional teams.
MBO Ventures helps business owners design exits that protect what they’ve built. Whether that means an ESOP, an independent buyout, a succession plan, or a tax-efficient sale, we map the right structure to your goals, your company, and your timeline.
No single-solution thinking. No pressure. Just a clear path forward.
How We Help You Exit Smarter
Independent Buyout
Keep ownership inside the company. Exit on your terms.
ESOP Advisory
The most tax-efficient exit structure available to business owners.
Business Valuation
Know what your company is worth before anyone else tells you.
Succession Planning
What happens to your company when you step back?
Capital Gains Tax Strategy
Most business owners don’t realize how much of their exit they’re about to give to the IRS.
We Don’t Have One Answer. We Have the Right One for You.
MBO Ventures is a modern business transition and exit advisory firm. We help founders and operators of privately held companies design exits that protect what they’ve built, using the right structure for each situation, whether that’s an ESOP, an independent buyout, a succession plan, or a combination of all three.
Our approach combines ESOP expertise with an investment banking mindset and firsthand operator experience. Darren Gleeman founded MBO Ventures after careers in quantitative finance and mid-market advisory. He led the first fully ESOP-owned cannabis company in the country. We’ve worked across construction, manufacturing, staffing, government contracting, cannabis, and professional services. We know what a deal looks like from every angle.
Industries We Serve
Don’t see your industry? No problem, contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Exit Advisors
What does a business exit planning advisor do?
A business exit planning advisor helps you understand your options and build a transition around what matters most to you. That may include protecting company value, reducing taxes, preserving your legacy, rewarding employees, or creating liquidity through an ESOP, management buyout, succession plan, or third-party sale.
When should I hire a business exit planning advisor?
The best time to begin planning is before you feel pressured to sell or step away. Starting early gives you more time to strengthen the business, address potential risks, understand its value, and compare exit structures without rushing into a decision.
What’s the smartest way to exit a business?
There isn’t one “smartest” exit — there’s the right one for your goals, your company, and your timeline. Depending on your situation that could be an ESOP, an independent buyout, a succession plan, a tax-efficient sale, or a combination. Our job is to map the structure to what you actually want out of the transition, without forcing a single-solution answer.
How can a business exit planning advisor help increase company value?
An advisor can identify the operational, financial, and ownership issues that may affect how buyers or investors value your company. By addressing those issues before a transaction, you can build a stronger, more transferable business and enter the exit process from a better position.
How do I choose the right business exit planning advisor?
Choose an advisor who takes the time to understand your company, goals, and timeline before recommending a strategy. Experienced business exit advisors can help you evaluate your options, prepare for a transition, and make informed decisions throughout the planning process. Contact MBO Ventures to learn how our advisors can help you plan your next move.