Capstone Partners Named U.S. Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year, Marking Landmark Year of Growth

Boston, MA – Capstone Partners, a leading middle market investment banking firm, is pleased to share that it has been named U.S. Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year by Global M&A Network, announced at the 18th Annual Americas M&A Atlas Awards, held on July 23, 2026, in New York City.

The recognition reflects Capstone’s continued investment in its platform, people, and industry expertise, as well as the firm’s track record of delivering exceptional outcomes for middle market clients across a wide range of sectors. It comes during a period of significant growth for the firm, including the integration of TM Capital, expanded sector capabilities, and continued investment in talent and service offerings.

“Being named U.S. Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year is an honor because it reflects the collective efforts of our entire firm,” said John Ferrara, Founder and President of Capstone Partners. “This recognition speaks to the strength of our people, the trust our clients place in us, and the investments we have made to build a differentiated middle market investment bank. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on delivering exceptional outcomes to clients navigating an increasingly dynamic market.”

Additionally, Capstone was honored with U.S. Middle Market M&A Deal of the Year and Government Technology Services Deal of the Year for its advisory work on two notable transactions, underscoring the breadth of the firm’s platform and its ability to deliver exceptional outcomes across industries.

• M&A Deal of the Year: Horizon Beverage Company’s sale to Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

Capstone Partners advised Horizon Beverage Company, a premier New England alcohol distributor supported by four generations of leadership, on its acquisition by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the leading alcohol wholesaler in the U.S. The transaction positioned Horizon to join an expansive national network and strengthened the company’s ability to serve customers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island under the Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company name.

Jesse Betzner, Senior Director at Capstone Partners and a lead advisor on the transaction, commented, “This award recognizes a landmark transaction that united one of New England’s leading independent beverage distributors with the nation’s largest alcohol wholesaler, creating an exceptional strategic fit in a consolidating industry. The transaction delivered an outstanding outcome for the shareholders, enabling the Epstein and Rubenstein families to realize the value of a multi-generational legacy while ensuring continued support for its employees, customers, and suppliers.”

Capstone President & Founder John Ferrara served as lead advisor on the transaction.

• Government Technology Services Deal of the Year: Extra Duty Solutions’ Equity Growth Investment from Bregal Sagemount.

Capstone Partners advised Extra Duty Solutions (EDS), a leading provider of off-duty program administration services and scheduling software for law enforcement and public safety agencies, on a strategic growth equity investment from Bregal Sagemount. The investment supported EDS’s continued expansion, enabling the company to enhance its technology offerings, extend its market reach, and further strengthen its position within the public safety sector.

Tom McConnell, Managing Director at Capstone Partners and lead advisor on the transaction, commented, “This transaction represents a unique situation where a founder-owned, bootstrapped business was able to achieve meaningful scale and clear leadership within an emerging market segment. Bregal Sagemount recognized the opportunity to add incremental value by leveraging a proven playbook for such high growth situations. The partnership created is an example of combining exceptional technology with great people; a win-win-win outcome!”.

These awards underscore the strength of Capstone’s integrated platform and its ability to deliver exceptional outcomes across a broad range of industries, transaction types, and market conditions. Together, the recognitions highlight the firm’s commitment to providing clients with deep sector knowledge, strategic insights, and execution excellence across the middle market.

ABOUT GLOBAL M&A NETWORK

Global M&A Network is a diversified news, information media, and forums company, as well as the host of various prestigious awards ceremonies honoring top talent in the M&A space. The Network produces high-quality “Intelligence Forums” and the world’s most prestigious M&A, Turnaround, and female leadership “Atlas Awards.” For more information, visit www.globalmanetwork.com.

ABOUT CAPSTONE PARTNERS

For over 20 years, the firm has been a trusted advisor to leading middle market companies, offering a fully integrated range of investment banking and financial advisory services uniquely tailored to help owners, investors, and creditors through each stage of the company’s lifecycle. Capstone’s services include M&A advisory, debt and equity placement, corporate restructuring, special situations, valuation and fairness opinions and financial advisory services. Headquartered in Boston, the firm has 300+ professionals in multiple offices across the U.S. With 12 dedicated industry groups, Capstone delivers sector-specific expertise through large, cross-functional teams. Capstone is a subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN). For more information, visit www.capstonepartners.com.

For More Information Contact:

press@capstonepartners.com

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