BankerNotes
Comparison

Aeris Partners vs Drum Advisors

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 19, 2025

AttributeAeris PartnersDrum Advisors
TypeTech boutiqueTech boutique
HQBoston, MASydney, Australia
Founded20072017
Sector focusTech, SoftwareTech, APAC
Deal size$15M-$200M$10M-$150M
Senior team
  • David Berkman
    Founder, Managing Director
  • Iain Jamieson
    Founder, Managing Director
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors

Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors both work in Tech. Founders running a sell-side process in those categories often see both names on their advisor longlist, which is why this comparison comes up. Both firms position themselves as tech boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

Aeris Partners is headquartered in Boston, MA and was founded in 2007, while Drum Advisors operates out of Sydney, Australia and was founded in 2017. Geography matters here: Aeris Partners's Boston relationships and Drum Advisors's Sydney relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, Aeris Partners states $15M-$200M while Drum Advisors states $10M-$150M. Beyond shared coverage, Aeris Partners also reaches into Software, while Drum Advisors extends into APAC.

For founders deciding between Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors, the honest recommendation is to take a working session with each named partner before signing. Read the firm-level reviews on BankerNotes for the pattern that matters most: did the partner who pitched the mandate run the buyer calls and final negotiations, or did the work slide down the org chart by week six. That pattern, more than league-table position, is what separates a good outcome from a mediocre one.

Firm A profile
Aeris Partners
Boston, MA

Aeris Partners is a tech boutique headquartered in Boston, MA and founded in 2007. The firm focuses on Tech, Software and typically advises on transactions in the $15M-$200M range. Key dealmakers include David Berkman (F...

Read the Aeris Partners profile and reviews
Firm B profile
Drum Advisors
Sydney, Australia

Drum Advisors is a tech boutique headquartered in Sydney, Australia and founded in 2017. The firm focuses on Tech, APAC and typically advises on transactions in the $10M-$150M range. Key dealmakers include Iain Jamieson ...

Read the Drum Advisors profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors?
Aeris Partners is a tech boutique HQ'd in Boston, MA (founded 2007), focused on Tech, Software, with a typical deal range of $15M-$200M. Drum Advisors is a tech boutique HQ'd in Sydney, Australia (founded 2017), focused on Tech, APAC, with a typical deal range of $10M-$150M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, Aeris Partners or Drum Advisors?
Aeris Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Drum Advisors's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Read the individual firm profiles for the full review breakdown.
Should I shortlist both Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors?
For most founders evaluating sell-side advisors with overlapping sector and deal-size fit, putting both on a shortlist is reasonable. The point of a bake-off is to test how the senior team behaves under pressure, how the firm shapes the buyer universe, and how it handles a difficult diligence question. Treat the shortlist as an interview, not a beauty contest.
How does BankerNotes verify reviews of Aeris Partners and Drum Advisors?
Every review is submitted by a founder who confirms they hired the firm as their sell-side advisor. We verify the reviewer privately using work email, LinkedIn, and approximate engagement timing. The verified identity is never published. Only the rating, written review, and a generic sector label appear on the public page.

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Last updated: April 19, 2025