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Comparison

Brown Edwards Capital Partners vs Madison Street Capital

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 9, 2025

AttributeBrown Edwards Capital PartnersMadison Street Capital
TypeBoutiqueBoutique
HQRoanoke, VAChicago, IL
Founded19682002
Sector focusLower Mid-MarketLower Mid-Market
Deal size$5M-$50M$5M-$50M
Senior team
  • Don Boswell
    Managing Director
  • Charles Botchway
    Founder, CEO
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital

Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital both work in Lower Mid-Market. Founders running a sell-side process in those categories often see both names on their advisor longlist, which is why this comparison comes up. Both firms position themselves as boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

Brown Edwards Capital Partners is headquartered in Roanoke, VA and was founded in 1968, while Madison Street Capital operates out of Chicago, IL and was founded in 2002. Geography matters here: Brown Edwards Capital Partners's Roanoke relationships and Madison Street Capital's Chicago relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, Brown Edwards Capital Partners states $5M-$50M while Madison Street Capital states $5M-$50M.

For founders deciding between Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital, the honest recommendation is to take a working session with each named partner before signing. Read the firm-level reviews on BankerNotes for the pattern that matters most: did the partner who pitched the mandate run the buyer calls and final negotiations, or did the work slide down the org chart by week six. That pattern, more than league-table position, is what separates a good outcome from a mediocre one.

Firm A profile
Brown Edwards Capital Partners
Roanoke, VA

Brown Edwards Capital Partners is a boutique headquartered in Roanoke, VA and founded in 1968. The firm focuses on Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Don ...

Read the Brown Edwards Capital Partners profile and reviews
Firm B profile
Madison Street Capital
Chicago, IL

Madison Street Capital is a boutique headquartered in Chicago, IL and founded in 2002. The firm focuses on Lower Mid-Market and typically advises on transactions in the $5M-$50M range. Key dealmakers include Charles Botc...

Read the Madison Street Capital profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital?
Brown Edwards Capital Partners is a boutique HQ'd in Roanoke, VA (founded 1968), focused on Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Madison Street Capital is a boutique HQ'd in Chicago, IL (founded 2002), focused on Lower Mid-Market, with a typical deal range of $5M-$50M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, Brown Edwards Capital Partners or Madison Street Capital?
Brown Edwards Capital Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Madison Street Capital's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Read the individual firm profiles for the full review breakdown.
Should I shortlist both Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital?
For most founders evaluating sell-side advisors with overlapping sector and deal-size fit, putting both on a shortlist is reasonable. The point of a bake-off is to test how the senior team behaves under pressure, how the firm shapes the buyer universe, and how it handles a difficult diligence question. Treat the shortlist as an interview, not a beauty contest.
How does BankerNotes verify reviews of Brown Edwards Capital Partners and Madison Street Capital?
Every review is submitted by a founder who confirms they hired the firm as their sell-side advisor. We verify the reviewer privately using work email, LinkedIn, and approximate engagement timing. The verified identity is never published. Only the rating, written review, and a generic sector label appear on the public page.

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Last updated: April 9, 2025