DBO Partners vs Oakley Advisory
Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 18, 2025
| Attribute | DBO Partners | Oakley Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tech boutique | Tech boutique |
| HQ | San Francisco, CA | London, UK |
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
| Sector focus | Tech, Software, Internet | Tech, TMT |
| Deal size | $100M-$2B | $50M-$2B |
| Senior team |
|
|
| Rating | Locked | Locked |
| Reviews | 0 verified | 0 verified |
Choosing between DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory
DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory both work in Tech. 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 tech boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.
DBO Partners is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and was founded in 2011, while Oakley Advisory operates out of London, UK and was founded in 2007. Geography matters here: DBO Partners's San Francisco relationships and Oakley Advisory's London relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, DBO Partners states $100M-$2B while Oakley Advisory states $50M-$2B. Beyond shared coverage, DBO Partners also reaches into Software, Internet, while Oakley Advisory extends into TMT.
For founders deciding between DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory, 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.
DBO Partners is a tech boutique headquartered in San Francisco, CA and founded in 2011. The firm focuses on Tech, Software, Internet and typically advises on transactions in the $100M-$2B range. Key dealmakers include St...
Oakley Advisory is a tech boutique headquartered in London, UK and founded in 2007. The firm focuses on Tech, TMT and typically advises on transactions in the $50M-$2B range. Key dealmakers include Chris Wormald (Foundin...
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory?
- DBO Partners is a tech boutique HQ'd in San Francisco, CA (founded 2011), focused on Tech, Software, Internet, with a typical deal range of $100M-$2B. Oakley Advisory is a tech boutique HQ'd in London, UK (founded 2007), focused on Tech, TMT, with a typical deal range of $50M-$2B. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
- Which firm has better founder reviews, DBO Partners or Oakley Advisory?
- DBO Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Oakley Advisory'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 DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory?
- 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 DBO Partners and Oakley Advisory?
- 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 18, 2025