BlackOak Partners vs True North Advisory
Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 4, 2025
| Attribute | BlackOak Partners | True North Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Boutique | Boutique |
| HQ | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL |
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
| Sector focus | Industrials, Lower Mid-Market | Industrials, Healthcare |
| Deal size | $10M-$100M | $15M-$150M |
| Senior team |
|
|
| Rating | Locked | Locked |
| Reviews | 0 verified | 0 verified |
Choosing between BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory
BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory both work in Industrials. 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.
BlackOak Partners is headquartered in Charleston, SC and was founded in 2012, while True North Advisory operates out of Chicago, IL and was founded in 2013. Geography matters here: BlackOak Partners's Charleston relationships and True North Advisory's Chicago relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, BlackOak Partners states $10M-$100M while True North Advisory states $15M-$150M. Beyond shared coverage, BlackOak Partners also reaches into Lower Mid-Market, while True North Advisory extends into Healthcare.
For founders deciding between BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory, 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.
BlackOak Partners is a boutique headquartered in Charleston, SC and founded in 2012. The firm focuses on Industrials, Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $10M-$100M range. Key dealmakers include...
True North Advisory is a boutique headquartered in Chicago, IL and founded in 2013. The firm focuses on Industrials, Healthcare and typically advises on transactions in the $15M-$150M range. Key dealmakers include Mark L...
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory?
- BlackOak Partners is a boutique HQ'd in Charleston, SC (founded 2012), focused on Industrials, Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $10M-$100M. True North Advisory is a boutique HQ'd in Chicago, IL (founded 2013), focused on Industrials, Healthcare, with a typical deal range of $15M-$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, BlackOak Partners or True North Advisory?
- BlackOak Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). True North Advisory'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 BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory?
- 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 BlackOak Partners and True North Advisory?
- 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 4, 2025