FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA — July 2026 — Business Exits, a leading lower middle market M&A advisory firm, today announced that its two operating partners have acquired full ownership of the firm from its founding partner, completing a planned succession that keeps the firm in the hands of the team that has led its client work for years.
The transaction transfers ownership from founder Jock Purtle to the partners who have managed the firm’s engagements and closed its transactions, ensuring full continuity for current and future clients. Under this leadership, Business Exits has closed more than $800 million in transactions and was ranked the #1 business broker on Axial for two consecutive years.
“This is the outcome we’ve been building toward,” said Loren Vandegrift, Partner at Business Exits. “Our sellers will see the same team, the same process, and the same standard of execution they’ve always known. What changes is what we can now build on top of that foundation — a firm that serves the full arc of a transaction, for sellers and buyers alike. We’ve seen tremendous growth over the past several years, and we intend to accelerate it.”
With the ownership transition complete, Business Exits will expand beyond its core sell-side practice into a more complete M&A advisory platform. The firm will continue representing business owners through the sale process while broadening its buy-side services — sourcing opportunities, negotiating terms, and guiding acquisitions from LOI through close. The firm also plans to deepen its capital capabilities, drawing on its established relationships with equity partners and operators to bring the financing side of transactions under the same roof.
“We sit at the intersection of the people who build great businesses and the capital that wants to back them,” said Robert Kale, Partner at Business Exits. “Owning the firm outright lets us connect those pieces the way we’ve always wanted to — and integrate the technology and tools we’ve developed to move deals to the finish line. Every part of our process is now designed to do one thing: get our clients the best outcome, faster.”
As part of the transition, the firm will fully integrate the suite of proprietary tools its partners have developed to streamline diligence, deal management, and closing — technology built from direct experience running lower middle market transactions end to end.
Founding partner Jock Purtle will step away from the firm following the transition. “Handing off Business Exits to Loren and Rob was the easiest decision I’ve made,” said Purtle. “They already ran this firm at the level our clients deserve, and it’s in the best of hands. I couldn’t be prouder of where it’s headed.”
About Business Exits
Business Exits is a lower middle market M&A advisory firm serving business owners, buyers, and investors. The firm advises sellers through every stage of the sale process, supports buyers in sourcing and closing acquisitions, and connects operators with capital partners. The firm has closed more than $800 million in transactions and has been ranked the #1 business broker on Axial for two consecutive years. Learn more at BusinessExits.com.
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Business Exits
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