Rochelle Park, NJ – The DAK Group, a prominent investment bank specializing in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, has reached a milestone of 40 years in business, commemorated with an official Proclamation from the Township of Rochelle Park. Presented by Mayor Vincent Bessetti, the Proclamation recognizes The DAK Group for “successfully guiding over 750 middle-market companies across the U.S. in navigating growth strategies, strategic planning, exit planning, and the sale of a business.” In honor of this achievement, September 25, 2024, has been declared “The DAK Group Day” in the Township.
Reflecting on four decades of success, Alan Scharfstein, Founder and CEO stated,
“I set out to fill a gap. I never imagined that 40 years later, we would have touched so many lives and industries throughout the country.” He added, “For me, it has always been about building relationships, enhancing company value, and guiding business owners to their next chapter. Whether our clients have grown through acquisitions, sold to start a new venture, or sought more personal time, the personal side of the transaction is something you just don’t get from Wall Street firms.”
Scharfstein expressed, “Receiving acknowledgment of these four decades is an honor, The DAK Group’s success is deeply rooted in the dedication of its employees and the trust of its clients and professional partners.”
Founded in 1984 by Scharfstein, The DAK Group emerged to address a glaring gap in the market. Scharfstein, after earning a BS and MBA from The Wharton School and holding executive roles at Pepsi, founded an entrepreneurial business. Within a few years, he knew he wanted to acquire a middle-market-sized company of his own and went to seek an Investment Bank to assist him.
At this point he experienced firsthand the challenges middle-market companies faced in securing high-quality advisory services. Large Wall Street firms were unresponsive to his mid-sized deal, and business brokers were often focused on much smaller transactions. He spoke to middle market business owners to learn where they go for transaction advice, and came to realize there were few investment banks specifically catering to the middle market.
Frustrated by the lack of quality options, Scharfstein founded The DAK Group with a mission to cater specifically to the unique needs of entrepreneurial business owners, offering them a high level of attention and service typically afforded to large corporations by Wall St. firms.
Looking ahead, The DAK Group remains committed to helping businesses navigate their futures with the same enterprising spirit that defined its founding 40 years ago.
