Kind Words From Clients

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David and Charlie provided clear direction on process timing and strategy, resulting in an exceptional outcome. Their close guidance not only generated substantial competition, but the process itself was efficient and very quick. I would not hesitate to work with them again.
Esteban Sosnik
Co-founder, Reach Capital
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We interviewed several bankers but decided to work with David and Chet due to their honesty and high integrity. From beginning to end, they told us what was necessary to achieve a great outcome rather than telling us what they thought we wanted to hear. They also remained steadfast in high pressure situations and were available around the clock despite international time zone differences. They continue to be helpful even after our deal has closed. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Shaun Clark
CEO and Founder, GoHighLevel
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David has been a trusted advisor to us and many of our portfolio companies through the years. He is always personally involved in transactions and advocates tirelessly to maximize outcomes. In a recent deal together, David was able to generate many interested parties that led to a phenomenal outcome for the company and its investors. IKONA is a team you absolutely want on your side.
Steve Wolfe and Nate Grossman
Co-Founders, Growth Street Partners
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David and Charlie delivered everything they promised, and more. We received 7 strategic offers (and many PE as well) and ended up selling the company in a 2 month process at a valuation beyond what shareholders ever fathomed. Whether very late nights, very early mornings, or holidays, they were there with us every step of the way.
Peter Luba and Dhruv Sringari
Co-Founders, SmartPass
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We hired IKONA to help us get an important portfolio exit across the finish line. Having worked with many bankers through the years, I can say that they are some of the best when it comes to knowledge, professionalism, and execution. The IKONA team was instrumental in navigating towards a smooth and successful closing.
Tim Bechtold
Partner, Frontier Capital
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Eduspire engaged IKONA Partners for the sale of our software company, Eduspire Solutions. We were extremely pleased with the guidance, deep expertise, and extensive network of potential buyers that IKONA Partners brought to the sales process. It was clear from day one that we would be advised directly by the most senior team at IKONA Partners, who were extremely hands-on, working tirelessly to ensure we received the best possible offers for our company. In the end, we were able to accomplish a successful sale that would have been impossible without IKONA's stewardship of the entire process.
Tony Brubaker
Co-Founder, Eduspire
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We worked with David on the sale of our business, Pear Deck. I appreciated how much he really dug into our business at a detailed level and always provided straightforward feedback on the process - never just telling us what we wanted to hear. He had a comprehensive view on the process from start to finish and we knew we were in good hands throughout. We had a terrific outcome and give David a lot of credit for getting us to the finish line.
Anthony Showalter
Co-Founder, Pear Deck
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The process that David and Charlie ran for our recapitalization generated many offers and found the eventual perfect partner in Sumeru. On top of being great bankers, they also share a mission-driven focus like we do at GoGuardian. We were very pleased with the outcome and couldn't recommend them more highly.
Advait Shinde
CEO and Founder, GoGuardian
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David knew the buyers and market like nobody else we talked with, and his advice was invaluable to our process. I highly encourage considering IKONA when searching for an investment bank - they combine strategic thinking with real world deal savvy and are true experts in their field.
Eric Koefoot
CEO and Founder, PublicRelay
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Chet and David's experience in formulating a successful M&A strategy and driving execution all the way through completion was instrumental to the sale of Bonafide Medical Group to WellSky. They were closely involved in our transaction all the way through. Even with tough market conditions, IKONA's meticulous process and 24/7 availability helped us achieve nearly 20 offers from PE and strategic buyers and an eventual sale to WellSky, a premium healthcare IT brand.
Brenden Wilson
Managing Director, DCA Partners
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David and Chet demonstrated a deep understanding of our industry and the unique challenges faced by rapidly expanding companies. The insights they brought to the table were instrumental in extracting maximum value from every opportunity amidst the complexities of fundraising. I strongly recommend IKONA to any software company seeking liquidity or growth capital, especially those businesses in high-growth situations.
Robin Alex
Co-Founder, GoHighLevel
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IKONA led us through a successful transaction from start to finish. They really helped us to position our business upfront as we brought our company to market, and through their market expertise and thorough selection process, we had several different transaction options and substantial closing leverage from the many interested parties IKONA generated. Ultimately we were able to identify a buyer who was a terrific strategic fit, and IKONA led our transaction to an efficient and timely close, so we couldn't be happier with the outcome.
President, Eduspire Solutions
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Having worked with the IKONA team on multiple transactions, I can say that they are relentless in maximizing value for shareholders, no matter how big or small. Their senior bankers are also intimately involved every step of the way, whether in high-level strategy or in-the-weeds details. IKONA was instrumental in helping us navigate the transaction complexities and allowed us to achieve maximum value. Looking forward to the next opportunity to work with the IKONA team.
James Muentener
CFO, MediaRadar
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Our client selected David Cho and Chet Kristy to broker a sale of a significant minority interest in the company. A great investment banker earns their keep by guiding the client to the right buyer/investor, helping the client understand what can and can’t be negotiated, serving as a trusted communication channel with the buyer/investor, and making last-minute impediments to closing evaporate though skilled negotiation. David and Chet did all this, resulting in a successful closing and happy client. I look forward to working with them again.
Erich Merrill
Partner, Miller Nash

Our Principals Have Closed Transactions With

3M
Advent International
Alpine
Amazon
Autodesk
Bain Capital
Bregal Sagemont
Chegg
Deluxe
Emigrant Capital
Endicott Group
Ever Commerce
FTV Capital
Francisco Partners
Frontier Growth
GSP
Gauge Capital
Gi Partners
Go Guardian
Golden Gate Capital
Grey Lion Capital
Gryphon Investors
Insight Partners
Intel
Investcorp
JMI
LLR
Lending Tree
Leonard Green
Level Equity
Leyaro
MN Real Estate Software
Marlin Equity Partners
Northwest
Pamlico Capital
Peak Equity
Peakspan
Personify
Power School
Primus
Providence Strategic Growth
Quorum
Raptor Technologies
Renaissance
Ridgemont Equity Partners
Rothchild & Co
Securly
Serent Capital
Silver Lake
Sumeru Equity Partners
Summit Partners
TA Associates
TPG
Thoma Bravo
Thompson Street
Tritium Partners
TrustArc
Vector Solutions
Vista
We Video
WellSky
Xplor
Zynga
3M
Advent International
Alpine
Amazon
Autodesk
Bain Capital
Bregal Sagemont
Chegg
Deluxe
Emigrant Capital
Endicott Group
Ever Commerce
FTV Capital
Francisco Partners
Frontier Growth
GSP
Gauge Capital
Gi Partners
Go Guardian
Golden Gate Capital
Grey Lion Capital
Gryphon Investors
Insight Partners
Intel
Investcorp
JMI
LLR
Lending Tree
Leonard Green
Level Equity
Leyaro
MN Real Estate Software
Marlin Equity Partners
Northwest
Pamlico Capital
Peak Equity
Peakspan
Personify
Power School
Primus
Providence Strategic Growth
Quorum
Raptor Technologies
Renaissance
Ridgemont Equity Partners
Rothchild & Co
Securly
Serent Capital
Silver Lake
Sumeru Equity Partners
Summit Partners
TA Associates
TPG
Thoma Bravo
Thompson Street
Tritium Partners
TrustArc
Vector Solutions
Vista
We Video
WellSky
Xplor
Zynga