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Comparison

Cornerstone Strategic Advisors vs True North Advisory

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 23, 2025

AttributeCornerstone Strategic AdvisorsTrue North Advisory
TypeBoutiqueBoutique
HQBirmingham, ALChicago, IL
Founded20082013
Sector focusHealthcare, ServicesIndustrials, Healthcare
Deal size$10M-$100M$15M-$150M
Senior team
  • Jim Akers
    Managing Director
  • Mark Lozier
    Managing Partner
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between Cornerstone Strategic Advisors and True North Advisory

Cornerstone Strategic Advisors and True North Advisory both work in Healthcare. 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.

Cornerstone Strategic Advisors is headquartered in Birmingham, AL and was founded in 2008, while True North Advisory operates out of Chicago, IL and was founded in 2013. Geography matters here: Cornerstone Strategic Advisors's Birmingham 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, Cornerstone Strategic Advisors states $10M-$100M while True North Advisory states $15M-$150M. Beyond shared coverage, Cornerstone Strategic Advisors also reaches into Services, while True North Advisory extends into Industrials.

For founders deciding between Cornerstone Strategic Advisors 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.

Firm A profile
Cornerstone Strategic Advisors
Birmingham, AL

Cornerstone Strategic Advisors is a boutique headquartered in Birmingham, AL and founded in 2008. The firm focuses on Healthcare, Services and typically advises on transactions in the $10M-$100M range. Key dealmakers inc...

Read the Cornerstone Strategic Advisors profile and reviews
Firm B profile
True North Advisory
Chicago, IL

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...

Read the True North Advisory profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Cornerstone Strategic Advisors and True North Advisory?
Cornerstone Strategic Advisors is a boutique HQ'd in Birmingham, AL (founded 2008), focused on Healthcare, Services, 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, Cornerstone Strategic Advisors or True North Advisory?
Cornerstone Strategic Advisors'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 Cornerstone Strategic Advisors 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 Cornerstone Strategic Advisors 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 23, 2025

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