Drake Star Partners vs Pagemill Partners
Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 8, 2025
| Attribute | Drake Star Partners | Pagemill Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tech boutique | Tech boutique |
| HQ | New York, NY | Palo Alto, CA |
| Founded | 2003 | 2002 |
| Sector focus | Technology, Media, Communications | Technology, Software, Semis |
| Deal size | $25M-$500M | $25M-$300M |
| Senior team |
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|
| Rating | Locked | Locked |
| Reviews | 0 verified | 0 verified |
Choosing between Drake Star Partners and Pagemill Partners
Drake Star Partners and Pagemill Partners both work in Technology. 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.
Drake Star Partners is headquartered in New York, NY and was founded in 2003, while Pagemill Partners operates out of Palo Alto, CA and was founded in 2002. Geography matters here: Drake Star Partners's New York relationships and Pagemill Partners's Palo Alto relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, Drake Star Partners states $25M-$500M while Pagemill Partners states $25M-$300M. Beyond shared coverage, Drake Star Partners also reaches into Media, Communications, while Pagemill Partners extends into Software, Semis.
For founders deciding between Drake Star Partners and Pagemill 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.
Drake Star Partners is a tech boutique headquartered in New York, NY and founded in 2003. The firm focuses on Technology, Media, Communications and typically advises on transactions in the $25M-$500M range. Key dealmaker...
Pagemill Partners is a tech boutique headquartered in Palo Alto, CA and founded in 2002. The firm focuses on Technology, Software, Semis and typically advises on transactions in the $25M-$300M range. Key dealmakers inclu...
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between Drake Star Partners and Pagemill Partners?
- Drake Star Partners is a tech boutique HQ'd in New York, NY (founded 2003), focused on Technology, Media, Communications, with a typical deal range of $25M-$500M. Pagemill Partners is a tech boutique HQ'd in Palo Alto, CA (founded 2002), focused on Technology, Software, Semis, with a typical deal range of $25M-$300M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
- Which firm has better founder reviews, Drake Star Partners or Pagemill Partners?
- Drake Star Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Pagemill 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 Drake Star Partners and Pagemill 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 Drake Star Partners and Pagemill 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 8, 2025