MVP Capital Acquired by Global Investment Bank

By J. Sharpe Smith, Senior Editor

June 25, 2020

MVP Capital, a well known advisor of tower M&A in the technology, media, and telecom sector, has been acquired by Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank with offices in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, a well as the United States.

The transaction, signed June 23, adds substantially to the Houlihan’s coverage of the telecommunications sector and expands the firm’s footprint in the United States. The transaction is expected to be completed next quarter following regulatory approval.

“Partnering with Houlihan gives us expanded product capabilities that we can offer to our clients,” said Clayton Funk, MVP managing director. “Additionally, we will be able to execute on larger deals with the financial resources of Houlihan behind us.”

Founded in 1987, MVP serves clients across the TMT sector, providing mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital formation, and other advisory services. Since its founding, MVP has advised on more than 300 M&A and private placement transactions in the TMT sector.

“We will continue to working with small, entrepreneur-backed companies, because that is what has built our firm,” Funk said. “But we will also be able to work with larger corporations in broadening our product offering.”

As part of this transaction, MVP’s investment banking team will become part of Houlihan Lokey’s global TMT Group. Jason Hill, MVP managing partner, will join Houlihan as a co-head alongside Rob Louvand and Roy Kabla, who currently lead the firm’s team. In addition, MVP CEO Greg Widroe will assume a senior role in the TMT Group, focusing in part on strategic initiatives.

Hill said, “Houlihan Lokey’s global platform, deep financial sponsor relationships and outstanding private capital markets capabilities represent an extremely compelling opportunity for us to better serve our clients.”

The acquisition will add 25 financial professionals to Houlihan Lokey’s TMT Group, including MVP’s seven managing directors, bringing the global TMT team to more than 60 financial professionals.

“Without question, MVP’s extensive sector knowledge and execution expertise has driven its success as an exceptional advisory firm. However, it is clear to us that this success is also maintained and reinforced by many of the cultural characteristics we strive to embody at Houlihan Lokey, foremost among them our steadfast dedication to our clients,” said Scott Adelson, Houlihan Lokey’s co-president and co-head of corporate finance. “In all respects, they are a perfect fit with our corporate culture, and we are confident that the MVP team will contribute meaningfully to the growth of the TMT Group and to our clients’ success, as well.”