Carlsquare Accelerates Growth With New Houston Office and Consumer Sector Focus

Carlsquare Expands Consumer Practice with Senior Hire, Opens Houston Office

In a significant move to enhance its presence in the consumer investment banking sector, Carlsquare has announced the opening of a new office in Houston. This expansion comes rapidly on the heels of its Boston office opening earlier this year, marking a critical growth phase for the firm in North America. This strategic location will primarily focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as capital raising transactions tailored for high-growth consumer businesses.

Susan Blanco, Co-Head of North America for Carlsquare, expressed optimism about the new Houston office, stating, "Our Houston office will focus on M&A and capital raising transactions for high-growth consumer businesses, particularly in key areas such as Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, and Active Lifestyle." This expansion reflects the resurgence of activity in the consumer M&A market, backed by a robust pipeline of opportunities across the U.S.

John Cooper, the other Co-Head of North America at Carlsquare, added, "Expanding into the consumer sector is a natural evolution for Carlsquare North America. Our unique combination of empathy, expertise, and experience has established us as leaders in the Software and Healthcare sectors. With a highly experienced industry banker like Matt Rovelli at the helm, we are positioned to optimize transaction processes for innovative consumer-focused businesses."

To bolster its operations, Carlsquare has brought on former North Point Managing Director Matthew S. Rovelli, who will serve as the Managing Director and Head of North American Consumer. Rovelli's extensive background in consumer investment banking includes a specialization in Food & Beverage, Wellness & Nutrition, and Active Lifestyle verticals. Previously, he led the Consumer Health & Wellness investment banking practice at Cowen Inc., following his leadership roles at Dahlman Rose and Bear Stearns.

Rovelli shared his enthusiasm about joining Carlsquare's dynamic team, remarking, "I was attracted by Carlsquare's entrepreneurial spirit and its commitment to delivering exceptional client service. It’s thrilling to be part of a fast-evolving firm with ambitious growth plans, and I look forward to collaborating with Susan, John, and the North America team as we establish our consumer practice."

Carlsquare North America now has a presence in four key locations: San Francisco, Boston, Houston, and Vancouver. This expansion is powered by seasoned leaders from notable backgrounds; for instance, Susan Blanco was previously a Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey, and John Cooper held a pivotal role at Microsoft in Corporate Development. Together, they aim to provide specialized transaction advisory services to innovators and investors in the United States and Canada.

The Carlsquare Group, which operates nine offices in Europe as well, demonstrated significant operational success, advising on 69 transactions in 2024 with a combined value of $3.4 billion. The firm has been recognized for its dedication to navigating complex transaction processes seamlessly for its clients across various industries.

For further information and insights, visit their official site at Carlsquare.