By Lou Sokolovskiy

As independent sponsor deals become more and more competitive, capital providers are sharpening their focus. This is at least the case for established firms like Merit Capital, a capital provider which has been working with independent sponsors since before the term “independent sponsor” even existed for “fundless” entrepreneurs decades ago. To get a glimpse into the playbook of this veteran firm, I recently sat down with its managing director, Evan Gallinson, who outlined three crucial factors that make a deal irresistible for top capital providers, offering independent sponsors a practical guide to secure funding in 2025’s dynamic private equity (PE) market.