Denver, January 15, 2024 – The Forbes M+A Group, a premier investment banking firm serving middle market companies, is pleased to announce it has served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Braintree Marketing, a subscription-based provider of relationship marketing services for real estate professionals, in its acquisition by a Canadian private equity firm with deep expertise in marketing and business services.
Founded and majority-owned by a visionary entrepreneur, Braintree Marketing built a national network of nearly 4,000 recurring clients, offering high-retention direct mail marketing solutions tailored to real estate brokers and agents. With an exceptional track record of client loyalty, low churn, and highly predictable cash flows, Braintree became a standout in the relationship marketing space.
Despite navigating the challenges of a pandemic-era market—when most buyers paused acquisition activity—Braintree’s recurring revenue model proved remarkably resilient. As real estate professionals doubled down on marketing to maintain visibility and client engagement during COVID-19 disruptions, Braintree’s value proposition only became stronger.
“This transaction is a testament to the strength of Braintree’s model, the foresight of its founder, and the discipline of our process during a highly uncertain time,” said Doug Freyschlag, Managing Director at Forbes M+A. “We were honored to represent a business that had been built with integrity, innovation, and long-term client relationships at its core.”
Forbes M+A crafted a compelling narrative that positioned Braintree’s momentum and stability in a turbulent environment, attracting high-quality interest despite market headwinds. Ultimately, a strategic buyer with sector alignment and an appetite for roll-up growth emerged as the ideal partner to help take the company to its next chapter.
JJ Lane, who co-led the deal alongside Freyschlag, added: “This deal showcases how relationship marketing, especially in the real estate sector, has long-term value when supported by strong recurring revenues and a loyal customer base. Braintree is uniquely positioned for scalable growth under its new ownership.”
The transaction included roll-over equity, allowing key stakeholders to participate in the future upside while benefiting from liquidity today.
About Braintree Marketing
Braintree Marketing is a relationship marketing company serving real estate professionals across the U.S. Through personalized, subscription-based direct mail campaigns, Braintree helps brokers and agents stay top of mind with their clients and spheres of influence. The company has built a loyal national customer base by delivering consistent results, supported by a turnkey, high-touch service model.
About The Forbes M+A Group
The Forbes M+A Group is an award-winning investment banking firm specializing in sell-side advisory, capital formation, and strategic guidance for middle market companies. With offices in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Charlotte, the firm combines deep industry insight, creative problem-solving, and senior-level execution to deliver exceptional outcomes in complex transactions.