Category: Blog Posts
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Vesting and Valuation of Incentive Equity
Authored By: Shawn Moxley and Will O’Donnell Why Vesting Matters Vesting is one of the most critical features of incentive equity because it determines whether and when an award has value. From a valuation perspective, vesting provisions are not just legal terms—they directly influence the modeling approach required to determine fair value. In practice, vesting…
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Why Companies Issue Incentive Equity
Authored By: Shawn Moxley and Will O’Donnell What is Incentive Equity? Incentive equity represents equity awards designed to align key employees and management teams with the long-term value creation of a business by allowing participants to share in future upside rather than current value. There are various types of incentive equity securities, depending on the…
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The Hidden Tax Impact of Parachute Payments in a Business Sale
Authored By: Patrick Guthrie When a business begins exploring a sale, recapitalization, or similar transaction, most conversations focus on valuation, deal structure, and closing terms. What often gets less attention is how parachute payments made to executives and owners are taxed once the deal closes. In general, parachute payments (sometimes referred to as “Golden Parachutes”)…
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The SaaS CFO Advantage: Navigating Growth, Scale, and Profitability
Scaling a Software as a Service (SaaS) company requires more than just financial expertise—it demands a deep understanding of the industry’s unique challenges. From managing cash flow in a subscription-based model to optimizing customer acquisition costs, a skilled outsourced CFO can be the key to balancing growth and profitability. An outsourced CFO seamlessly integrates into…
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Mentorship, Markets, and Momentum: A Conversation with Justin Horsman, Managing Director
This year, Evergreen Advisors celebrated a series of strategic promotions within its investment banking team, Evergreen Advisors Capital—a reflection of the firm’s ongoing growth, expanding industry presence, and dedication to delivering high-impact results. Among those promoted, Justin Horsman was named Managing Director. Justin shares his insights on how Evergreen’s practice has evolved and what’s ahead…
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Using Comparable Company Transactions for Business Valuation and Sale Planning
Authored By: Will O’Donnell A sound business valuation provides the foundation for strategic initiatives such as planning a sale, evaluating investments, meeting tax requirements, and ensuring transparent financial reporting. In valuation, there are a variety of approaches commonly used. One of the most widely used market-based approaches is the Guideline Transaction Method (GTM). This method…
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Your Site Selection Is Set—Now It’s Time to Maximize Its Value
Authored By: Morgan Trask Once a site is secured and the project is announced, most companies turn their attention to execution—hiring, construction, and launching operations. But this post-announcement phase is just as important as the site selection itself. It’s where implementation, compliance, and ongoing incentive management determine how much of a project’s full value is…
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How Innovation Shapes Finance: Evergreen CFOs Reflect on the 2025 DataTribe Innovation Day
At this year’s DataTribe’s 2025 Cyber Innovation Day, innovation certainly took center stage — from breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to the future of emerging technologies shaping business growth. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to explore how small and early-stage companies can excel in an environment where technology evolves faster…
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When to Outsource CFO vs Hire In-House
Authored By: Eric Clarke Growing companies eventually reach a stage where basic bookkeeping and accounting support aren’t enough. At this point, leadership teams start asking a critical question: When is the right time to bring on a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)? For many businesses, the decision comes down to whether to outsource CFO services (sometimes called…
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Should My Company Consider an ESOP?
Authored By: Patrick Lowry If you’re exploring succession planning or liquidity strategies, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) may be worth considering. While ESOPs can be complex and highly regulated, they offer unique tax advantages and long-term benefits for both business owners and employees. Here’s what to know when evaluating whether your company is a…
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Cap Table Strategy in 2026: Protecting Ownership and Control
Authored By: Eric Clarke When raising capital, most founders focus on valuation and dollars raised. What often gets overlooked is the long-term impact on ownership and control. That’s where cap table management and dilution planning come in. A well-structured cap table (capitalization table) doesn’t just show who owns what today—it models what ownership could look like…
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Qualified Small Business Exclusion Just Got Bigger
Authored By: Patrick Lowry Business owners and investors looking to maximize the capital gains tax benefits available under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) just received meaningful improvements. In July, the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) expanded several provisions tied to the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion, making…
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Aligning Your Growth Plan and Funding Strategy
Authored By: Eric Clarke Growing a company takes more than vision—it takes structure, clarity, and intentional decision-making. One of the biggest mistakes early-stage companies make is separating their development plan from their funding strategy. But in reality, these two pieces need to move in lockstep. Here’s how to bring intention into every part of your…
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Fair Market Value Versus Strategic Value
Authored By: Patrick Lowry When valuing a business—or even just a minority stake in one—understanding the standard of value being applied is essential. Different standards can lead to very different conclusions. Whether the purpose is estate planning, shareholder litigation, ESOP compliance, or preparing for a sale, the valuation framework needs to align with the intent.…
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What’s Driving Site Selection Strategy in 2025?
Authored By: Jacob Di Mattia, Vice President, Evergreen Location Strategies As companies navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, site selection strategy has become more critical—and more nuanced—than ever. From utility access and policy uncertainty to livability and supply chain resilience, corporate leaders are asking tough questions when deciding where to grow. Members of the Evergreen…