Managing Director, Co-Head of M&A
Dan Connolly is a managing director and co-head of global M&A for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He joined William Blair’s investment banking team in 1999 where he has previously served as head of technology M&A and head of software banking. Prior to William Blair, he worked for Merrill Lynch & Co. and Kidder, Peabody.
Chicago Jesuit Academy Board of Directors
Chicago Archdiocese Assembly of Catholic Professionals
University of Notre Dame Wall Street Leadership Committee
Global M&A Network – 2023 Top 50 M&A Investment Bankers
Mergers & Acquisitions – 2019 Deal of the Year for the Middle Market – Fortive’s acquisition of Gordian
The Deal – 2019 Deal of the Year – Trimble's acquisition of e-Builder
a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital
has been acquired by
William Blair acted as lead financial advisor to Brightly Software, Inc. (Brightly), a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (Clearlake), in connection with its sale to Siemens AG (Siemens) (FRA:SIE) for $1.575 billion of upfront cash consideration, along with $300 million in cash earn-out payments, for a total of $1.875 billion.
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a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital
has received a strategic growth investment from
has received a strategic growth investment from
William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Lightspeed Systems in connection with its strategic growth investment from Genstar Capital, joining existing investor Madison Dearborn Partners.
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has acquired
a portfolio company of Francisco Partners
a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital
has been acquired by
a portfolio company of Ares Management
has received a partnership investment from
William Blair acted as lead financial advisor to Convergint Technologies, a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), in connection with its equity sale from a fund managed by Ares’ Private Equity Group and other existing shareholders to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and funds managed by Harvest Partners, LP.
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a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus and JMI Equity
has received a majority investment from
William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Businessolver, a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus and JMI Equity, in connection with its majority investment from Stone Point Capital.
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a portfolio company of Hg & Vista Equity Partners
has been acquired by
a portfolio company of Five Arrows Principal Investments & TA Associates
William Blair acted as financial advisor to Allocate, a portfolio company of Hg and Vista Equity Partners (Vista), in connection with its pending sale to RLDatix, a portfolio company of Five Arrows Principal Investments and TA Associates.
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a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital
has received a significant strategic investment from
has received a significant investment from
has been acquired by
has received a joint investment from
William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Granicus, Inc. (Granicus), a portfolio company of Vista Equity Partners, in connection with its pending investment from Harvest Partners and Vista’s Foundation Fund IV.
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More about investment banking at William Blair
Publicly traded and privately held companies around the globe count on our M&A Advisory Group for comprehensive financial advisory services and expert guidance. We serve buyers and sellers by providing in-depth financial and strategic analysis, identifying optimal potential transaction partners, developing creative deal structures, and negotiating complex transaction terms.
Our long record, leadership position in the middle market, and high level of transaction activity enable us to clear the market globally in search of the best transaction partners. Our bankers are true experts in your industry and understand the competitive landscape and deal environment facing our clients.
More about our M&A expertise
William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*
Year William Blair was founded
Employees worldwide
Client assets
Independent and employee-owned
Offices worldwide
Companies under coverage
As of December 31, 2023
*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.
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