Episode 385: 2026 Deal Outlook and Market Trends with Brian Meegan
From a lumpy 2025 market to building pent-up demand, M&A attorneys Corey Kupfer and Brian Meegan share their frontline perspective on deal trends and what business owners need to know heading into 2026.
In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with his partner Brian Meegan of Kupfer. to kick off the new year with a candid conversation about the deal market. Together, they've handled dozens of deals totaling hundreds of millions of dollars in purchase price and enterprise value across wealth management, tech, and trade industries nationwide.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
In this episode, you'll discover why the 2025 M&A market has been "lumpy" with strong activity in certain sectors while others slowed, and how markets normalize uncertainty when clarity takes too long. Corey and Brian discuss tax legislation certainty versus tariff uncertainty pending Supreme Court review, why pent-up demand builds pressure that eventually releases, and how massive PE dry powder creates deployment urgency. You'll learn why equitizing Generation 2 leadership years before an exit improves options and valuation, how trade industries remain attractive due to AI resistance, and what regional differences mean for deal opportunities.
DEAL MARKET REALITY:
The end of 2024 was intense, and momentum carried into 2025. Yet conversations with colleagues revealed uneven activity nationwide. Wealth management stayed robust while other sectors slowed. Weaker earnings combined with elevated prices created buyer-seller disconnects.
CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY:
Markets crave predictability. Recent tax legislation provided clarity around R&D credits and SALT deductions. Tariff policy remains uncertain with potential Supreme Court review, creating productivity costs as companies refigure supply chains.
PENT-UP DEMAND:
When natural deal flow gets suppressed, it builds pressure rather than disappearing. PE firms sit on enormous capital with fund timeline pressures. Money isn't the constraint. Finding opportunities and having clarity to proceed are the real bottlenecks.
THE GEN 2 IMPERATIVE:
Equitizing key executives years before a potential exit creates tax-efficient structures, makes companies more attractive to buyers, and gives acquirers confidence. Waiting until deal time limits options and hurts valuation.
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES:
Brian's Denver practice serves different markets than Corey's coastal work. Colorado features strong tech sectors and alternative energy with California migration. Heavy manufacturing concentrates in Arizona and Nevada.
TRADE CONSOLIDATION:
Professionalization of trades including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC continues after more than a decade. These industries resist AI disruption, making them attractive for stable revenue and consistent fundamentals.
Perfect for business owners considering exits, entrepreneurs evaluating opportunities, and anyone wanting frontline perspective on current M&A conditions.
FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/brianmeegan2026
FOR MORE ON BRIAN MEEGAN:
https://www.kupferlaw.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-meegan/
FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/
https://www.coreykupfer.com/
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[00:00] - Introduction: Kicking off 2026 with partner Brian Meegan
[02:00] - Why the M&A market has been "lumpy" across sectors
[04:00] - Tax policy certainty after major legislation passed
[08:00] - 2026 outlook and pent-up demand building pressure
[13:00] - Appreciation for DealQuest listeners and clients
[16:00] - The importance of equitizing Generation 2 leadership
[18:00] - Tax efficiency and planning equity participation early
[22:00] - Heavy manufacturing trends in Arizona and Nevada
[28:00] - Optimism for 2026 and where opportunities exist
Guest Bio:
Brian Meegan is a partner at Kupfer., bringing extensive transactional experience from his Denver-based practice. Brian specializes in M&A transactions and complex deal structures across tech, natural resources, and professional services. His Colorado practice provides unique perspective on regional market dynamics outside traditional coastal centers.
Host Bio:
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
Show Description:
Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies.
Related Episodes:
Episode 331 - M&A Market Outlook for 2025 with Corey Kupfer: Predictions and survey data about M&A activity expectations.
Episode 339 - Why Your Gen 2 Matters in M&A with Corey Kupfer: Succession planning and how next-generation leadership affects deal value.
Episode 350 - Building Wealth Through Rental Properties with Tom Dillon: The "sweaty startups" concept and trade industry consolidation.
Episode 335 - Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Future of Investment Advisory Deals with Corey Kupfer: New capital sources entering wealth management M&A.
Episode 330 - From Operator to Owner with Pete Mohr: Business freedom and reducing owner involvement while maintaining value.
Episode 206 - Should Uncertainties in the Market Impact Your Deal-Making? with Corey Kupfer: How external factors should influence deal decisions.
Social Media:
Follow DealQuest Podcast:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/
Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/
Follow Brian Meegan:
https://www.kupferlaw.com/
Keywords/Tags:
M&A market outlook 2026, deal trends, private equity dry powder, pent-up demand, tariff uncertainty, trade consolidation, equitizing employees, succession planning, wealth management M&A, Gen 2 leadership, tax policy certainty, interest rates, regional deal markets, Colorado tech sector, entrepreneurship, business growth strategies, dealmaking, exit planning, capital deployment, fund timelines
