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Mike Andrusko & Maxwell Heller Featured in ACG’s Middle Market Growth Article: Pent-up Energy Could Drive Fintech M&A Wave

Centri’s Mike Andrusko, Partner & Digital Assets Practice Leader, and Maxwell Heller, Managing Director & M&A Advisory Practice Leader, are featured in ACG’s Middle Market Growth article: “Pent-up Energy Could Drive Fintech M&A Wave.” The article discusses fintech’s unique market potential to experience more dealmaking activity in 2024.

Despite widespread challenges the tech market has faced in the past year, the fintech market specifically has already seen indications of an optimistic outlook in Q1. Andrusko remarked that part of the appeal of the category is the diversity of subsegments and numerous niches within the fintech space. “You have regtech, wealthtech, insurtech is starting to get bigger, and even digital assets, I would say, are going to fall within the fintech space.” Also, the consolidation that many observers anticipated to happen last year did not materialize, which has contributed to some of the pent-up demand discussed in the article.

There has also been some easing of the buyer-seller valuation gap that was holding up deals over the past year. Heller noted, “We’re seeing lower valuations as an investor advantage. Buyers are capitalizing on that, and there’s more of a meeting of the minds.” It is one of the trends that will fuel the long-awaited consolidation in the second half of the year, along with interest rate stabilization and projected rate cuts later in the year.

Andrusko discussed how strategic partnerships may fuel deals. “There are certain companies that may not necessarily have a license, so instead of going through the application process, they may go through an acquisition to get into a company that already has that infrastructure to help them save some time, effort, and money,” he said.

Heller agreed, noting, “I bet you’re going to see more strategics partnering up and identifying potential targets. Probably a trend for ’24 is more strategics at play – but that could be private equity-backed platforms doing add-ons, too.” Collaborations that help companies expand into new geographies and add product functionality will spur deals by adding tangible value to businesses.

Centri provides comprehensive assistance to businesses, ensuring they establish a solid foundation and provide decision-makers within a company with the information needed to make decisions. This includes analyzing the current performance of the business and strategically planning for the financial future. Our M&A team is suited to guide companies through transformative options, shaping company strategy and legacy planning. Additionally, we collaborate with management to identify finance and accounting transformation initiatives. Our focus is on maximizing the utilization of financial information, implementing place best practices, and optimizing FP&A activities.

Mike Andrusko

Partner | Fintech and Digital Assets Practice Leader | CPA

Michael is a Partner at Centri Business Consulting and the leader of the firm’s Fintech and Digital Asset Practices. He has more than 10 years of experience in the accounting treatment of various transactions, including complex debt and equity analysis, business combinations and acquisition accounting process integration. View Mike Andrusko's Full Bio

Maxwell B. Heller

Managing Director | M&A Advisory Practice Leader

Max is a Managing Director at Centri Business Consulting and the leader of the firm’s M&A Advisory Practice. He has more than 20 years of merger and acquisition consulting experience and provides M&A advisory services to private equity firms, venture capital firms, family offices, and strategic/corporate clients. View Maxwell B. Heller's Full Bio