EP 140: Today’s Business Valuation and Dealmaking Environment

The small business market is stabilizing, but the story beneath the surface is complex.

In this episode, host Ed Mysogland breaks down the Q1 2026 data from BizBuySell and DealStats, revealing trends in transaction volumes, valuations, and buyer behavior. From the rise of new buyers to the influence of AI, Ed explains what these numbers mean for business owners considering a sale and how size, industry, and financing influence value.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand how small business transactions are trending in 2026

• See which industries and deal sizes are commanding premiums

• Identify financing and buyer trends that affect sale strategies

Highlights:
(00:00) Overview of Q1 2026 market data and trends
(01:16) What stabilization in the market means for owners
(04:09) The impact of AI and “corporate refugees”
(05:48) Interest rates, private equity, and big money in small business
(11:50) Key insights on valuation and market opportunities
(13:58) Next steps for owners preparing to sell

Resources:
For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/

Explore the BizBuySell Insight Report 2026: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMKmrgmwzl4il2wVcRTbsxXw-CotSPjq/view?usp=sharing

Explore the DealStats Value Index Q1 2026: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fPT-Hdzs9DMlb701IJ9FSv_8p1Y8w-S-/view?usp=sharing

Follow Ed:
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders