Stax Set to Join Forces with Grant Thornton US
Deal News | Aug 19, 2025 | EIN
Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, the advisory arm of Grant Thornton US, has announced its acquisition of Stax, a Boston-based M&A consulting firm that specializes in commercial due diligence, value creation, and exit planning services for private equity firms. Stax, with approximately 300 employees across the US, UK, and Sri Lanka, serves leading firms in the PE and investment banking sectors. The acquisition will enhance Grant Thornton's commercial diligence offerings, allowing it to serve nearly 70% of US-based firms in the Private Equity International 300. This move is part of Grant Thornton US's ongoing growth strategy, bolstered by the support of New Mountain Capital, which acquired a majority stake in the firm in 2024. Financial advisors on the deal included Clearsight Advisors, Harris Williams, William Blair, and Stout.
Sectors
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Financial Services
Geography
- United States – The primary companies involved, Grant Thornton US and Stax, are both based in the United States.
- United Kingdom – Stax has operations in the United Kingdom, contributing to its international presence.
- Sri Lanka – Stax has operations in Sri Lanka, adding to its multinational reach.
Industry
- Mergers & Acquisitions – The article discusses an acquisition in the M&A sector, specifically Grant Thornton US acquiring Stax, which is an M&A consultancy.
- Private Equity – Stax specializes in services for private equity firms, and the transaction will enhance Grant Thornton's offerings in this industry.
- Financial Services – As a part of the advisory and financial consulting sectors, both Grant Thornton Advisors and Stax operate within financial services.
Financials
- – No specific financial terms of the acquisition were disclosed in the article.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Thornton Advisors LLC | Bidding Company | Company | The advisory services division of Grant Thornton US; it is acquiring Stax to enhance its M&A and private equity consulting capabilities. |
| Stax | Target Company | Company | A Boston-based mergers and acquisitions consulting firm specializing in commercial due diligence, value creation, and exit planning services. |
| New Mountain Capital | Investor | Company | A private equity firm that acquired a majority stake in Grant Thornton US in 2024, supporting its growth strategy. |
| Clearsight Advisors | Financial Advisor | Company | Served as financial advisor to Grant Thornton in the acquisition of Stax. |
| Harris Williams | Financial Advisor | Company | Provided financial advising to Grant Thornton in the acquisition deal. |
| William Blair | Financial Advisor | Company | Served as financial advisor to Stax in the transaction. |
| Stout | Financial Advisor | Company | Acted as sell-side financial diligence and tax advisor to Stax for the acquisition. |
| Jim Peko | CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors | Person | CEO leading the acquisition strategy and commented on the merging of Stax's talent with Grant Thornton. |
| Jayson Traxler | CEO of Stax | Person | President of Stax, who emphasized the continuation of Stax’s growth and solutions under Grant Thornton’s larger scale. |