Aethlon (pronounced ATH-lon) is a Minneapolis-based investment bank specializing in mergers & acquisitions, growth capital, and strategic advisory services for privately held companies.
Learn more about Aethlon
We’re defined by our people. Our senior team brings decades of M&A, capital-raising, and operating experience across industries:
- Sima Griffith – Co-Founder & Managing Principal; more than 25 years advising entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses.
- Joe Phillips – Former 3M and Imation executive who led $800M+ in M&A and venture investments.
- Marc Belton – Former EVP at General Mills, recognized for global strategy, growth, and brand innovation.
- Mark Greene – Former CEO of FICO, with leadership experience at IBM and the Federal Reserve; active on multiple private-equity boards.
- Kian Roy – Associate supporting clients with valuation, analysis, buyer research, and process execution.
At Aethlon, the team you meet is the team you get—working side by side with clients from first conversation through closing.
We focus on privately held, middle-market companies with $20M–$200M in revenue.
We are generalists with depth across manufacturing, consumer, technology, services, and logistics.
Large banks often pitch with senior leaders, then hand the work to juniors. At Aethlon, “who you see is who you get” — our senior team stays engaged from start to finish.
We’re headquartered in Minneapolis, with a strong Midwestern focus and clients nationwide.
Yes. As a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, we operate under strict federal regulations.
We focus on middle-market companies with $20M–$200M in revenue.
- Document strengths and prospects
- Generate enthusiasm from qualified buyers
- Create a competitive bidding environment
- Host meetings with qualified buyers
- Evaluate buyers and finalize LOIs
- Manage due diligence, complete definitive agreements, and close
- Valuation – Setting a target value and defining your positioning.
- Preparation – Building a compelling CIM and materials.
- Buyer Outreach – Creating and executing a tailored list.
- Market Engagement – Managing outreach and meetings.
- Diligence & Closing – Guiding due diligence and negotiating to close.
Most processes run 6–12 months.
We tailor our outreach based on each client’s objectives. For some, that means engaging a broad network of strategic buyers, private equity firms, and family offices. For others, it’s a more targeted approach focused on select, high-fit partners. In both cases, we draw on our proprietary database of 3,000+ active buyers and investors.
Our fees include a retainer plus a success fee (paid only at closing). This aligns our incentives with your outcome while covering the resources needed to run a disciplined process.
If you’re considering a sale, raising capital, or exploring options, we’d welcome a confidential conversation. Reach out and let’s discuss how we can help achieve the right outcome for you.
