Tracked deals
31
31 tracked deals across 2018-2026.
Professional Services Buyers & Acquisitions in Ohio
Buyer mix
Mixed buyer set
24 strategic · 17 pe
Top trend
Volume peaked in 2022
6 tracked deals announced in 2022.
Primary Insight
What Stands Out
- Local market buildouts appear repeatedly, including Guardian Alarm’s Cincinnati and Columbus expansions within Ohio.
- Capability deepening shows up in advisory and consulting, such as Huron adding supply chain and technology offerings via AXIA Consulting.
- Crisis and communications services are a highlighted niche, with AKCG – Public Relations Counselors acquiring Hennes Communications.
- Platform and franchising strategies are visible, including Riverside’s EverSmith Brands add-on investment in 1-Tom Plumber and Unity’s Midwestern landscaping platform under Yardmaster.
- Deal structures vary from fully integrated platform moves (with undisclosed terms in some cases) to large announced transactions like Grant Thornton Advisors’ agreement to acquire CBIZ (valued at $5 billion).
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Top Buyers
Illustrative buyers pulled from tracked transactions on this page. This table is capped and intentionally non-exhaustive.
| Buyer | # Deals | Focus | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Riverside Company | 4 | Global private equity firm focused on the smaller end of ... | PE |
| Authority Brands | 2 | Operator and franchisor of a portfolio of home services b... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| Guardian Alarm | 2 | Independent, full-service residential and commercial secu... | Strategic |
| AKCG – Public Relations Counselors | 1 | Crisis communications and reputation management agency pr... | Strategic |
| BDS Equity Holdings LLC | 1 | Equity holdings entity acquiring the The Growth Coach fra... | Mixed |
| Baird Principal Group | 1 | Principal investing group affiliated with Baird that make... | PE |
| Bluerock | 1 | Institutional alternative asset manager that will partner... | Mixed |
| Bureau Veritas | 1 | Global testing, inspection and certification company prov... | Strategic |
| CPL | 1 | Multi-disciplined architecture, engineering and planning ... | Strategic |
| CertaSite | 1 | Fire and life safety platform providing inspection, monit... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
Acquisition Volume in Professional Services in Ohio by Year
Last 9 years
Actual
Full-year estimate
Supporting Data
Recent Transactions
-
July 31, 2026
- Buyer
- Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, New Mountain Capital
- Target
- CBIZ, Inc.
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Grant Thornton Advisors will acquire CBIZ in an all-cash transaction valued at $5 billion, paying $55.00 per CBIZ share (a ~54% premium to the 30-day VWAP). The deal is expected to close in Q4 2026, subject to CBIZ shareholder approval and regulatory clearances, and includes a go-shop period ending August 27, 2026.
-
July 7, 2026
- Buyer
- Greenix Pest Control
- Target
- Essential Pest Control
- Seller
- Kyle Holden, Kris Holden
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Greenix Pest Control acquired Essential Pest Control, a regional pest management provider serving homeowners in Knoxville, Tennessee and the Dayton, Ohio market. The deal expands Greenix’s footprint into Tennessee (its 21st state of operation) and increases operational density in the Dayton region.
-
- Buyer
- AKCG – Public Relations Counselors
- Target
- Hennes Communications
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia region, announced it has acquired Cleveland-based crisis communications agency Hennes Communications. The deal combines two crisis communications agencies to expand national crisis advisory, planning, management, spokesperson training, and media relations services; financial terms were not disclosed.
-
- Buyer
- BDS Equity Holdings LLC
- Target
- The Growth Coach franchise system
- Seller
- Strategic Franchising Systems
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Strategic Franchising Systems completed the sale of The Growth Coach franchise system to BDS Equity Holdings LLC, effective March 31, 2026. Brad Schneider, formerly President of The Growth Coach, steps into ownership as the long-time franchise brand continues expanding its national footprint.
-
- Buyer
- The Riverside Company, EverSmith Brands
- Target
- 1-Tom Plumber
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
The Riverside Company has invested in 1-Tom Plumber, a fast-growing franchisor of emergency plumbing and drain cleaning services, as the sixth add-on to its EverSmith Brands platform. 1-Tom Plumber operates through 37 franchisees across 57 territories in 22 states; Riverside and EverSmith plan to accelerate franchise development, deepen commercial penetration and drive cross-sell opportunities across the platform.
-
December 2, 2025
- Buyer
- Unity Partners
- Target
- Yardmaster, Big Lakes Lawncare, Kunco Landscape
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
Unity Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm, has formed a new Midwestern landscaping platform by completing investments in Yardmaster (Columbus, Ohio), Big Lakes Lawncare (Detroit, Michigan) and Kunco Landscape (Erie, Pennsylvania). The three businesses will be fully integrated and operate under the Yardmaster brand to serve commercial, multi-family/HOA, office and industrial clients across the Midwest.
-
December 19, 2024
- Buyer
- Guardian Alarm
- Target
- ProAlert Security Systems
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Guardian Alarm, a Southfield, Michigan–based full-service security company, has completed its acquisition of Cincinnati-based ProAlert Security Systems. The deal expands Guardian Alarm's customer base and capabilities in the Cincinnati market, allowing it to deliver security and fire alarm services to more residential and commercial customers.
-
December 3, 2024
- Buyer
- Huron
- Target
- AXIA Consulting
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Huron (NASDAQ: HURN) has acquired AXIA Consulting, a supply chain-focused consulting and technology firm, to deepen its supply chain and technology capabilities, including expanded Oracle SCM and Microsoft offerings. Approximately 130 client-facing AXIA employees will join Huron; financial terms were not disclosed and Clearsight Advisors served as AXIA's exclusive financial advisor.
-
September 30, 2024
- Buyer
- Guardian Alarm
- Target
- SDG Security
- Seller
- Bruce Reedy (Co-Owner and President, SDG Security)
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Guardian Alarm has completed the acquisition of Columbus-based SDG Security, expanding its footprint in Ohio and enabling the company to offer its residential and commercial security and fire alarm services to more customers in the Columbus market. The deal brings SDG's customers and local team into Guardian Alarm's operations; SDG co-owner Bruce Reedy commented on confidence in Guardian Alarm continuing SDG's tradition of service.
-
April 29, 2024
- Buyer
- The Riverside Company, Bluerock, MLC Private Equity, Ten Capital Management
- Target
- The Townsend Group
- Seller
- Aon plc
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
The Riverside Company announced that its affiliate has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Townsend Group from Aon plc. Riverside and co-investors will back Townsend’s global real estate and real-asset investment advisory and management platform, with closing subject to final regulatory approvals.
-
March 21, 2024
- Buyer
- OneDigital
- Target
- A Slice of HR
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
OneDigital has acquired A Slice of HR, a Cincinnati-based human resources and recruiting consulting firm founded by Colleen Pfaller. The deal brings Pfaller and her seven-member team into OneDigital as the firm expands its HR and recruiting capabilities in Ohio and nationally.
-
December 13, 2023
- Buyer
- PennSpring Capital
- Target
- Zirtual
- Seller
- Startups.com
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
PennSpring Capital, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based lower middle market investment firm, has acquired Zirtual, a Columbus/Powell, Ohio-based provider of U.S.-based virtual assistant services, from accelerator Startups.com. The acquisition expands PennSpring's BPO capabilities and complements its existing holding Mobiniti, positioning the firm for additional add-on activity in the business process outsourcing space.
-
October 30, 2023
- Buyer
- CPL
- Target
- Makovich & Pusti Architects
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
CPL has acquired Cleveland-based Makovich & Pusti Architects (MPA), adding the firm’s healthcare, higher-education and public-sector expertise and opening CPL’s first office in Ohio. The transaction expands CPL’s geographic footprint into the Midwest and strengthens its sector capabilities across healthcare and institutional markets.
-
- Buyer
- Command Investigations LLC, Monument MicroCap Partners, LLC
- Target
- Infoquest Information Services, Ltd.
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
Command Investigations LLC, a portfolio company of Monument MicroCap Partners, completed the acquisition of Infoquest Information Services, Ltd., a Columbus, Ohio-based provider of professional investigation and information services for insurance claims defense. The add-on expands Command's service offerings and geographic reach, enabling accelerated cross-selling and enhanced capabilities for insurance defense clients.
-
April 4, 2023
- Buyer
- Authority Brands
- Target
- Weed Pro
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
Authority Brands purchased Weed Pro, an Ohio-based lawn care company founded in 2001 by Rob Palmer; terms were not disclosed. Weed Pro will be integrated into Authority Brands' incubator for emerging home-service franchise concepts to support brand development and nationwide expansion.
-
January 11, 2023
- Buyer
- Professional Diversity Network, Inc., Expo Experts Events, LLC
- Target
- Expo Experts, LLC
- Seller
- Expo Experts, LLC
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPDN) — through its wholly-owned subsidiary Expo Experts Events, LLC — purchased the assets and operations of Expo Experts, LLC for total consideration of $600,000 (cash and restricted PDN stock). The acquisition brings a STEM-focused career-fair platform into PDN's event portfolio to drive immediate event revenue growth and cross-platform sales opportunities.
-
October 31, 2022
- Buyer
- ScaleCo Management LLC
- Target
- TPI Efficiency (Total Procurement Intelligence)
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
ScaleCo Management LLC has made a platform investment in Total Procurement Intelligence (TPI Efficiency), a Cleveland-based energy procurement and utility consulting firm founded in 2009 by Roger Zona. The investment (ScaleCo's 22nd platform and third from Fund IV) will provide capital and operational support to expand TPI Efficiency's energy procurement, efficiency services, and LED lighting offerings nationwide.
-
August 24, 2022
- Buyer
- The Riverside Company, CertaSite
- Target
- Burnside Fire Protection (service business), Fire Loss Control
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
The Riverside Company, via its CertaSite platform, has acquired the service business of Burnside Fire Protection (Cincinnati, OH) and Fire Loss Control (Brunswick, OH) as add-ons to its CertaSite fire and life safety platform. The deals expand CertaSite's footprint and technical capabilities in Ohio, marking the 18th and 19th recent add-ons to the platform and the 20th and 21st Midwest acquisitions cited by Riverside.
-
August 24, 2022
- Buyer
- New State Capital Partners
- Target
- AFIMAC Global Inc.
- Seller
- Dalton First Financial Inc.
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
New State Capital Partners has acquired AFIMAC Global Inc., a provider of specialty business continuity solutions (staffing, security, logistics) in a carve-out from Dalton First Financial Inc. AFIMAC, headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio, will continue to be led by CEO Joe Schollaert as New State plans to grow the business organically and via add-on acquisitions to expand service lines and market share.
-
- Buyer
- Bureau Veritas
- Target
- Advanced Testing Laboratory (ATL)
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Bureau Veritas has acquired Advanced Testing Laboratory (ATL), a Cincinnati-based scientific sourcing and laboratory testing services provider serving consumer healthcare, cosmetics/personal care and medical device markets. The acquisition expands Bureau Veritas' Consumer Products Services capabilities and North American footprint; ATL employs over 500 people and generated approximately €31 million in revenue in 2021.
-
- Buyer
- Provantage
- Target
- QAC Services, LLC, Werner Services (WSI), VIP Contractor Services
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Three Ohio-based cleaning/contractor companies—QAC Services, Werner Services (WSI) and VIP Contractor Services—have joined forces to form Provantage, a Columbus-headquartered facility management and contractor services company. Provantage combines specialized cleaning, sanitizing, maintenance and remote monitoring capabilities to serve medical, education, commercial and construction end markets; no financial terms were disclosed.
-
January 12, 2022
- Buyer
- Authority Brands
- Target
- Color World Housepainting
- Seller
- Tom Hodgson (Founder and CEO of Color World Housepainting)
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
Authority Brands announced it has purchased Color World Housepainting. The acquisition adds Color World as the ninth brand addition for Authority Brands since October 2018, expanding its home services franchise portfolio.
-
October 6, 2021
- Buyer
- Incline Equity Partners
- Target
- Perfect Power Wash
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Pittsburgh-based private equity firm Incline Equity Partners has made a growth investment in Perfect Power Wash, a residential exterior cleaning services platform headquartered in the Akron/Norton, Ohio area. Incline will support PPW's expansion through aggressive greenfield location openings, digital marketing and evaluation of additional exterior services while partnering with the founding team.
-
- Buyer
- The Riverside Company
- Target
- Craynon Fire Protection
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
The Riverside Company has invested in Craynon Fire Protection, an Ohio-based fire and life safety services provider, as an add-on to its CertaSite platform. Craynon, based in Dayton, provides inspections, repairs, maintenance and sprinkler system installations; Riverside plans to grow the business through technology, training and improved technician utilization.
-
- Buyer
- SIB Fixed Cost Reduction, O2 Investment Partners
- Target
- The Fox Consulting Group, Inc.
- Seller
- Sean Fox
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
SIB Fixed Cost Reduction, a portfolio company of O2 Investment Partners, has acquired The Fox Consulting Group, a Cincinnati-based spend-management consultancy specializing in telecom, wireless, cloud services and credit card processing. The add-on expands SIB's capabilities in telecom, wireless and merchant/credit-card processing services and is the platform's second acquisition under O2's ownership.
-
September 22, 2020
- Buyer
- Gridiron Capital, LLC
- Target
- AML RightSource, LLC
- Seller
- Clarion Capital Partners, LLC
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Gridiron Capital has acquired AML RightSource from Clarion Capital Partners, partnering with AMLRS founders and management to drive the company's next phase of growth. AML RightSource, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading outsourced provider of AML, KYC and BSA compliance solutions with over 1,000 employees serving banks and non-bank financial institutions across North America.
-
January 14, 2020
- Buyer
- Direct Travel, Inc.
- Target
- Professional Travel
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Direct Travel announced on January 14, 2020 that it has acquired Professional Travel, a Cleveland-based corporate travel management company. Professional Travel, founded in 1963 with more than 175 employees and approximately $448 million in combined sales, will retain its executive leadership and be integrated into Direct Travel to deepen North American presence and expand service offerings for mid-market clients.
-
- Buyer
- SinglePoint Group International Inc.
- Target
- General Revenue Corporation
- Seller
- Navient
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
SinglePoint Group International Inc. has agreed to acquire General Revenue Corporation (GRC) from Navient. GRC, a Mason, Ohio-based college and university-focused asset recovery agency with approximately 130 employees, will continue operating from its Mason office and will join SinglePoint's receivables management and call center business.
-
January 24, 2019
- Buyer
- HaystackID, Knox Capital, ORIX Mezzanine & Private Equity, Maranon Capital, L.P., Baird Principal Group
- Target
- eTERA Consulting
- Seller
- Signet LLC
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Addon
HaystackID, a Knox Capital-backed eDiscovery platform, acquired eTERA Consulting and will fully integrate eTERA's team into the combined business. Senior leadership from eTERA reinvested alongside additional investment from Knox Capital, ORIX Mezzanine & Private Equity, Maranon Capital, L.P., and Baird Principal Group to support the combined company's expansion of eDiscovery, forensics, and managed review capabilities.
-
January 7, 2019
- Buyer
- Epiq
- Target
- Garretson Resolution Group
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Epiq has acquired Garretson Resolution Group (GRG), a tech-enabled provider of mass tort, class action and high-volume legal dispute resolution services. The acquisition expands Epiq's mass tort and class action capabilities, bringing GRG's expertise and bench of specialists into Epiq's global legal services platform.
-
June 28, 2018
- Buyer
- SYNNEX Corporation, Concentrix
- Target
- Convergys Corporation
- Industry
- Professional Services
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
SYNNEX Corporation, via its Concentrix division, agreed to acquire Convergys Corporation for approximately $2.43 billion in a deal expected to close in 2018. The transaction will integrate Convergys into Concentrix to create a larger global customer engagement and CRM BPO services provider, delivering scale, expanded capabilities and geographic reach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which professional services subsectors are represented in Ohio acquisitions here?
The deals cover consulting (including supply chain/technology), HR and recruiting services, PR and crisis communications, security and fire alarm services, business process outsourcing/virtual assistants, and franchising/platform services.
What types of buyers show up most often in Ohio professional services deals?
Recurring names include The Riverside Company, Guardian Alarm, Authority Brands, New State Capital Partners, SYNNEX Corporation, Concentrix, and Direct Travel, Inc. (among others), with both strategic operators and private equity–backed platforms.
Are there any large announced transactions involving Ohio?
Yes. Grant Thornton Advisors LLC announced an all-cash agreement to acquire CBIZ, Inc. for $5 billion, expected to close in Q4 2026, subject to approvals and regulatory clearances.
Do these deals tend to be completed acquisitions or include announced agreements?
Both. The page includes completed acquisitions (e.g., Guardian Alarm’s Ohio purchases; Huron’s AXIA Consulting acquisition) and announced agreements (such as the Grant Thornton Advisors–CBIZ transaction).
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