Calder Capital has been named a Gold Stevie Award winner in the Financial Services – Medium category in the 24th Annual American Business Awards. The Gold Stevie Award recognizes Calder’s growth and momentum between July 2024 and November 2025. Within this time period, Calder Capital has:
- Closed 79 transactions across diverse industries, including construction, distribution, business services, and manufacturing companies.
- Expanded into Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, formally launching new regional presences to serve the rapidly growing Southern U.S. market.
- Welcomed several key hires, strengthening deal execution, business development, human resources, and marketing capacity as the firm scales nationwide.
- Earned prestigious awards, including ranking as a top 10 U.S. M&A advisory firm by Axial and The M&A Advisor for lower-middle-market and middle-market transactions. Within the time period, Calder has also received recognitions from Inc., the National Association for Business Resources, the American Business Awards (Stevie Awards), and Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
- Delivered multiple industry reports featuring insight from Calder leadership, establishing the firm as a thought leader in the $1–100M M&A market.
Additionally, between January 2025 to November 2025, Calder closed a record 54 deals and achieved a 15% increase in revenue. Together, these achievements illustrate Calder’s operational excellence and ability to grow aggressively while maintaining a disciplined, client-centric advisory model.
Calder’s achievements are particularly significant given broader industry headwinds. These include interest rate volatility, compressed valuations, and slower transaction timelines, which have affected many M&A firms since 2023.
Calder’s Recognitions by the American Business Awards:
| Timeframe: | Honor: | Category: |
| 2026 | Gold Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2025 | Bronze Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2024 | Bronze Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2023 | Silver Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2022 | Gold Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2021 | Gold Stevie® Award | Financial Services Company of the Year – Medium |
| 2021 | Bronze Stevie® Award | Entrepreneur of the Year |
| 2021 | Bronze Stevie® Award | Fastest-Growing Company of the Year |
Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 9.
The American Business Awards are open to all organizations operating in the U.S.A., and winners are determined by average scores from an international judging process. In 2026, more than 3,700 nominations were considered and more than 230 professionals worldwide participated in judging. Calder Capital was nominated in the Financial Services, Medium category for its growing momentum, reach, and influence within the lower middle market.
Judges commented on Calder Capital’s nomination stating:
- “Impressive performance despite the general business environment conditions. Congratulations on your achievements and nomination.”
- “Calder Capital’s record deal volume, national expansion, and industry awards showcase operational excellence and disciplined, client-focused growth…”
- “Very impressive growth especially in a volatile market. Your collection of awards is very impressive. Well done.”
- “Achieving 15% revenue growth and closing 79 deals [between July 1, 2024 and November 20, 2025] amidst a 27% industry-wide M&A retraction is exceptional counter-cyclical execution… Outstanding advisory work—continue aggressively scaling your footprint.”
“The judges’ comments captured what we are most proud of: Calder Capital has continued to execute, grow, and serve clients exceptionally well, discipline despite a difficult M&A environment,” said Max Friar, Founder & Managing Partner of Calder Capital. “We are grateful for the recognition and even more motivated to keep raising the standard for M&A advisory work.”
“Organizations across the United States continue to set a high standard for innovation and performance,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The breadth and quality of nominations submitted to The 2026 American Business Awards reflect a dynamic and competitive business environment, where organizations are finding new ways to drive growth, deliver value, and make an impact. We congratulate all of this year’s Stevie Award winners and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at our June 9 awards ceremony in New York.”
Complete results for the 2026 American Business Awards can be found on their website.
About American Business Awards:
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes, as well as the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding workplace performance worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.
About Calder Capital:
Founded in 2013, Calder Capital is a cross-industry mergers and acquisitions advisory firm with offices across the United States. Calder provides valuation, sell-side, and buy-side services. We are nationally recognized for excellence in advising $1-100M enterprise value transactions in manufacturing, construction, distribution, and business services. Calder serves business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, financial buyers, and investors. Learn more at www.CalderGR.com.
Notice: Calder Capital, LLC is not affiliated with any similarly named organizations or entities. To verify communications from our firm, visit our website or contact [email protected].