GovCon M&A Talk

By govconmandatalk

The show illuminates the twists and turns of dealmaking, interviewing buyers, sellers, and M&A experts working in the federal government space. Sharon B. Heaton, CEO of sbLiftOff, an M&A advis... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about GovCon M&A Talk:

How many episodes does GovCon M&A Talk have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.

GovCon M&A Talk episodes:

August 06, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Elizabeth Shea
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Elizabeth Shea of TreeFork Strategies.
Topics covered:
● De-risking your business
● Reducing owner dependency in stages
● Communication plans for M&A inflection points
● Why hiring an investment banker for your deal puts more money in your pocket
To connect with Elizabeth, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about TreeFork Strategies, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
34min
July 23, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Christine Williamson
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Christine Williamson of Cohn Reznick about the 2026 GAUGE REPORT.
Topics covered:
● Only 3% of GovCon companies surveyed automate their capture
● How a consistent capture process adds value to a transaction
● Average net profit margins were materially below 10%
● 42% of pipeline opportunities come from teaming partners
Download a copy of the GAUGE Report by clicking here.
To connect with Christine, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about Cohn Reznick, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
32min
July 09, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Meghan Gifford
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Meghan Gifford about lessons from Octo.
Topics covered:
● Integration tips gleaned after four Octo acquisitions
● Never underestimate the impact of uncertainty – avoid mystery
● How IBM integrated Octo into its federal business
● Why owners experience “the crisis after the sale”
To connect with Meghan, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
38min
June 25, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Venu Ayala
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Venu Ayala about his Zen transaction:
Topics covered:
● Bootstrapping with zero capital
● Recovering from contract losses
● Closing a deal before the SBA’s Jan 17, 2026 deadline
● Selling, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary and freedom

To connect with Venu, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about ZEN STRATEGICS, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
42min
June 11, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Kate Troendle
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Kate Troendle, Managing Director of KippsDeSanto & Co..
Topics covered:
● What’s next for aerospace, technology and defense
● Impacts of DOGE, tariffs and Administration procurement priorities on buyer certainty
● Defense tech “comes roaring back”
● Not using AI? You’re “behind the 8 ball”
To connect with Kate, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about KippsDeSanto & Co., visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
40min
May 28, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Sam Le
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Sam Le, formerly of the SBA:
Topics covered:
● What’s next for the remaining 3,400 8(a)s
● FAR overhaul and impact of Rule of 2
● Using Mentor-Protégé joint ventures effectively
● Small Business Set-Asides Momentum and Strength
To connect with Sam, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about Sam Le Law, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
28min
May 14, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Dyson Richards
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Dyson Richards of Foxstead, a private investment firm.
Topics covered:
● From the start of the computer era to the GovCon AI era
● Why founders in GovCon need strategic capital
● Patience among thoughtful private equity
● Growing by knowing defense needs
To connect with Dyson, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about Foxstead, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
43min
April 23, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Brianna Bowling
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Brianna Bowling, author of Start Manage & Exit a Profitable Government Contracting Firm.
Topics covered:
● Local roots and business
● Learning the art of proposal writing
● Technology pain points and the government customer
● When it’s right to sell
Learn more about Brianna's book here.
To connect with Brianna, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about Retreat and Learn, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
36min
April 09, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Matt Stavish
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Matt Stavish of Republic Access Capital.
Topics covered:
● DOW appetite for product
● Working capital financing
● Private debt markets demystified
● Creating relationships, creating solutions
● Future of the small business M&A market
To connect with Matt, visit him LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about Republic Access Capital, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
30min
March 26, 2026 GovCon M&A Talk with Col. Scott Jensen
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Scott Jensen, CEO of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition.
Topics covered:
● Customer intimacy vs customer concentration: SDVOSB strategies
● Adding commercial lines and building transferable value
● Prospects for VOSBs (veteran owned small businesses)
● What veterans with 8(a)s should be doing
● VETS26 in New Orleans June 1-4; meet government customers and new business partners
To connect with Scott, visit him LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To learn more about NVBSC, visit their webpage ⁠here⁠.
To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here.
To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
...more
31min

FAQs about GovCon M&A Talk:

How many episodes does GovCon M&A Talk have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.