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Comparison

BHB Partners vs Lazear Capital Partners

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 2, 2025

AttributeBHB PartnersLazear Capital Partners
TypeBoutiqueBoutique
HQMilan, ItalyColumbus, OH
Founded20102004
Sector focusItaly, Lower Mid-MarketLower Mid-Market
Deal size$5M-$50M$5M-$50M
Senior team
  • Bruno Bianchi
    Founder
  • Ed Lazear
    Founder
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners

BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners both work in Lower Mid-Market. 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 boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

BHB Partners is headquartered in Milan, Italy and was founded in 2010, while Lazear Capital Partners operates out of Columbus, OH and was founded in 2004. Geography matters here: BHB Partners's Milan relationships and Lazear Capital Partners's Columbus relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, BHB Partners states $5M-$50M while Lazear Capital Partners states $5M-$50M. Beyond shared coverage, BHB Partners also reaches into Italy, while Lazear Capital Partners extends into adjacent categories.

For founders deciding between BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners, 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
BHB Partners
Milan, Italy

BHB Partners is a boutique headquartered in Milan, Italy and founded in 2010. The firm focuses on Italy, Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Bruno Bianchi ...

Read the BHB Partners profile and reviews
Firm B profile
Lazear Capital Partners
Columbus, OH

Lazear Capital Partners is a boutique headquartered in Columbus, OH and founded in 2004. The firm focuses on Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Ed Lazear ...

Read the Lazear Capital Partners profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners?
BHB Partners is a boutique HQ'd in Milan, Italy (founded 2010), focused on Italy, Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Lazear Capital Partners is a boutique HQ'd in Columbus, OH (founded 2004), focused on Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, BHB Partners or Lazear Capital Partners?
BHB Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Lazear Capital Partners'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 BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners?
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 BHB Partners and Lazear Capital Partners?
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 2, 2025