Mergers & Acquisitions examined the rapid expansion of independent sponsors as a force in the lower middle market in an article featuring insights from McGuireWoods partner Jon Finger.
The article, published Sept. 14, 2026, reported on the maturation of independent sponsors into an increasingly important buyer class. The evolution is driven by seasoned private equity dealmakers who leave established firms to pursue acquisitions on their own rather than raising traditional funds, the publication reported.
Finger, who was instrumental in creating McGuireWoods’ international Independent Sponsor and Emerging Manager programs, provided perspective on the nature of deal sourcing in the independent sponsor market.
“If there’s a broker or investment bank, no one should call that proprietary, but some of these deals through brokers are certainly more proprietary than an investment bank process,” Finger told Mergers & Acquisitions.
Mergers & Acquisitions’ coverage follows a July 28, 2026, Bloomberg article and a July 17, 2026, Wall Street Journal article about independent sponsor growth that also featured insights from Finger.
McGuireWoods represents independent sponsors and their capital partners in majority and minority equity investments. In addition to hosting the leading international conference for independent sponsor transactions, the firm’s lawyers lead independent sponsor networking groups around the country to facilitate the sharing of best practices, connections, ideas, deal leads and experiences in a trusted environment.
The firm’s 9th Annual Independent Sponsor Conference is scheduled for Oct. 27-28, 2026, in Dallas. Participants will include independent sponsors, family offices, private equity funds, other alternative investors, senior, unitranche and mezzanine lenders, and pensions and endowments.