BankerNotes
Comparison

Financo Raine vs PJ Solomon

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 14, 2025

AttributeFinanco RainePJ Solomon
TypeIndustry specialistIndustry specialist
HQNew York, NYNew York, NY
Founded20181989
Sector focusConsumer, Retail, BeautyConsumer, Retail
Deal size$25M-$1B$50M-$1B
Senior team
  • Joe Ravitch
    Co-Founder, Raine Group
  • Gianni Giacomelli
    Partner
  • Cathy Leonhardt
    Managing Director
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between Financo Raine and PJ Solomon

Financo Raine and PJ Solomon both work in Consumer, Retail. 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 industry specialist advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

Financo Raine is headquartered in New York, NY and was founded in 2018, while PJ Solomon operates out of New York, NY and was founded in 1989. Sharing a home market gives both firms similar buyer-side relationship density, so the differentiator tends to be senior attention rather than geography. On deal-size focus, Financo Raine states $25M-$1B while PJ Solomon states $50M-$1B. Beyond shared coverage, Financo Raine also reaches into Beauty, while PJ Solomon extends into adjacent categories.

For founders deciding between Financo Raine and PJ Solomon, 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
Financo Raine
New York, NY

Financo Raine is a industry specialist headquartered in New York, NY and founded in 2018. The firm focuses on Consumer, Retail, Beauty and typically advises on transactions in the $25M-$1B range. Key dealmakers include J...

Read the Financo Raine profile and reviews
Firm B profile
PJ Solomon
New York, NY

PJ Solomon is a industry specialist headquartered in New York, NY and founded in 1989. The firm focuses on Consumer, Retail and typically advises on transactions in the $50M-$1B range. Key dealmakers include Cathy Leonha...

Read the PJ Solomon profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Financo Raine and PJ Solomon?
Financo Raine is a industry specialist HQ'd in New York, NY (founded 2018), focused on Consumer, Retail, Beauty, with a typical deal range of $25M-$1B. PJ Solomon is a industry specialist HQ'd in New York, NY (founded 1989), focused on Consumer, Retail, with a typical deal range of $50M-$1B. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, Financo Raine or PJ Solomon?
Financo Raine's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). PJ Solomon'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 Financo Raine and PJ Solomon?
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 Financo Raine and PJ Solomon?
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 14, 2025