Exonas Capital Announces Strategic Investment in VFG Advisory LLC in Partnership with Avante Capital Partners and Brightwood Capital Advisors

Exonas Capital (“Exonas”), a Connecticut based investment firm, is pleased to announce a strategic investment in VFG Advisory LLC (“Vision” “VFG” or the “Company”), a New Jersey based accounting and business services firm. The investment was supported by Avante Capital Partners (“Avante”) and Brightwood Capital Advisors (“Brightwood”), who provided debt and equity financing for the transaction. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Morganville, New Jersey, Vision provides a full suite of accounting and taxation services for SMBs, high net worth individuals, family offices and non-profits, with offices in the U.S. and India. The Company works with an extensive roster of more than 1,500 unique clients spanning a range of diversified industries including the IT services, law, medicine, sports, wealth management, insurance, real estate, and home services sectors. Vision has built a reputation of providing outstanding customer service to its clients and aims to grow and expand its service offerings and geographic footprint over the coming years.

Following the transaction, Vision will operate in an alternative practice structure. Attest services will continue to be provided by Ansel & Associates CPAs LLP, a licensed CPA firm. Business advisory and non-attest services will be delivered by VFG Advisory LLC, which will operate as a separate entity and will not be a licensed CPA firm.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Exonas, Avante, and Brightwood as we enter this next phase of growth,” said Jacob Ansel, Co-Founder and CEO of VFG Advisory LLC. “The partnership will drive our firm’s expansion by broadening our service offering and geographic presence through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, strengthening our ability to attract and retain top professionals, and advancing our commitment to delivering outstanding service to clients."

“Vision has a long history of organic growth and exceptional client service, and we are excited to partner with Jacob and the team at Vision as they continue to build a leading accounting and professional services platform focused on a diverse range of end-markets," said Dino Sawaya, Managing Partner and Founder of Exonas Capital. “Vision will serve as a platform for growth in the fragmented accounting services sector and we will support management to identify and integrate strategic add-on acquisitions that align with the platform's objectives.”

“Avante is proud to support this transaction in conjunction with Exonas and Brightwood, as a testament to our excitement about the independent sponsor space and partnering with great teams,” said Ivelisse Rodriguez Simon, Managing Partner of Avante. “We believe Vision is well-positioned to continue setting the bar in accounting and tax services as they embark on this exciting next phase of growth and look forward to scaling to the next level together.”

“We are excited to collaborate through our long-standing relationship with Avante to support Exonas Capital’s strategic investment in Vision. We are confident that this transaction will be instrumental in advancing Vision’s capabilities and extend its global reach,” said Sengal Selassie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner at Brightwood. “This opportunity ties into to our firm’s expertise within the business services sector, and we look forward to supporting Vision’s next chapter.”

McGuireWoods served as legal advisor to Exonas Capital. Morrison Cohen and Vedder Price P.C. served as legal advisors and East Wind Advisors served as financial advisor to VFG Advisory LLC. Winston & Strawn served as legal advisor to Avante and Brightwood.

About VFG Advisory LLC

Founded in 2003, VFG Advisory LLC delivers comprehensive accounting and taxation services to over 1,500 clients, including SMBs, high net worth individuals, family offices, non-profits, and individuals. With offices in the U.S. and India, Vision serves clients across a diverse range of industries. Known for its commitment to exceptional client service, Vision is poised for continued growth and expansion of its service offerings and geographic footprint. For more information, visit www.vfgcpas.com.

About Exonas Capital

Exonas Capital, is a Darien, Connecticut based investment firm identifying, executing and managing private equity investments in the lower and middle markets. Exonas seeks to invest in unique high-quality businesses straddling strategic, operational or financial crossroads that are capable of generating strong investor returns through the execution of value creation initiatives that are uncorrelated with the prevailing economic environment. The firm is founded on an unwavering commitment to intellectual honesty and rigor, alignment of interest, straight dealing and a desire to have fun. For more information, visit www.exonascapital.com.

About Avante Capital Partners

Avante Capital Partners is an award-winning private credit and equity firm in the lower middle market. Since 2009, Avante has been successfully providing flexible capital solutions to growing businesses generating at least $3M in cash flows across numerous industries. Avante is a value-add partner to private equity firms, independent sponsors, and business owners throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.avantecap.com.

About Brightwood Capital Advisors

Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC is a private credit firm with a long-standing track record of investing in middle-market businesses. Brightwood specializes in providing senior debt capital primarily to U.S. businesses with $5-$75 million of EBITDA within five core industries: technology & telecommunications, healthcare, business services, transportation & logistics and franchising. Brightwood partners with non-sponsored businesses as well as private equity sponsors to provide customized financing solutions for directly originated investments. Founded in 2010, Brightwood is a minority-owned firm with a team of over 50 employees who manage approximately $6 billion of assets on behalf of its primarily institutional investor base as of December 31, 2024. Brightwood is headquartered in New York City. For more information, please visit: www.brightwoodlp.com.

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