DETROIT, MI / LONDON, UK — January 21, 2026 — The Grafter, the UK's leading exit preparation consultancy for founder-led businesses, today announced a strategic partnership with Exitwise LLC, the Detroit-based M&A advisory firm that connects founders with industry-specific investment bankers and deal advisors.
The partnership unites two firms with an unusual shared philosophy: both are built and led entirely by entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their own companies. Together, they will offer business owners a comprehensive pathway from exit preparation through to completed sale.
Founders who attempt to sell without proper preparation often leave significant value on the table or fail to complete transactions altogether. The Grafter's proven "Grow Raise Exit Acquisition" methodology, which has supported over 50 businesses and unlocked more than $200 million in total value, addresses the operational, financial, and strategic gaps that derail deals before they reach the negotiating table.
"Most founders spend years building their businesses but only weeks preparing to sell them," said Rachel Murphy, CEO of The Grafter and a twice-exited entrepreneur who sold her previous company Difrent for $17 million. "We built The Grafter because we've lived through exits ourselves. We know exactly where founders get stuck and what buyers actually look for. This partnership with Todd, Brian and the Exitwise team means we can now bring that expertise to founders who deserve the same level of support."
Exitwise maximizes M&A outcomes by pairing business owners with industry-specific advisory teams and mentors from its Exited Founder Marketplace, reinforcing these strategic insights with proprietary white-label software and in-house certified valuation services. Exitwise complements The Grafter’s operational prep by taking the baton at the transaction phase, providing the valuation precision, banker curation, and exited founder mentorship needed to turn a 'ready' business into a maximized exit.
"Having built and sold four businesses myself, I've seen firsthand how the right preparation transforms outcomes," said Todd Sullivan, Co-Founder and CEO of Exitwise. Together, we can help founders get their houses in order and then connect them with the industry-specific deal teams who will ensure a smoother M&A journey and maximize their sale price."
"What excites me about this partnership is the alignment in philosophy," said Brian Dukes, Co-Founder and COO of Exitwise. "Both teams are built by founders who've been through the exit process ourselves. We know the emotional journey, not just the transaction mechanics. Rachel and The Grafter team bring deep expertise in getting businesses truly ready for sale; that's the critical piece most founders underestimate."
Under the partnership, The Grafter's team of nine "Exiteers,” all former founders who have successfully sold businesses, will work with US clients to prepare their companies for sale, addressing common deal-killers including customer concentration, owner dependency, and financial reporting gaps. Exitwise will then match prepared founders with vetted investment bankers and M&A attorneys who specialise in their specific industry and deal size.
To ensure a world-class exit, Exitwise will integrate an advisor from its marketplace of nearly 100 exited founders to mentor the business owner through the M&A process.
The partners project the collaboration will unlock $50 million in additional value for founders going through the exit process within the first two years.
This alliance marks a shift toward 'Intentional exits,’ moving away from reactive sales and toward prepared, high-value exits. With the global M&A market seeing a resurgence in strategic acquisitions, the 'quality premium' has never been higher. By bridging the gap between The Grafter’s operational preparation and Exitwise’s financial advisory, the partnership provides the support ecosystem founders have historically lacked, ensuring that years of 'sleepless nights' and risk translate into a maximized, life-defining outcome.
Founders interested in learning more can visit exitwise.com or thegrafter.com to schedule an initial consultation.
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About The Grafter
The Grafter is a UK-based business consultancy that helps founders of $3M–$30M revenue companies transition from operational dependency to building scalable, exit-ready businesses. Founded by Rachel Murphy following her $17 million exit from Difrent in 2020, the company employs a team of nine "Exiteers", all former founders who have successfully exited, delivering the proprietary "Grow Raise Exit Acquisition" methodology. The Grafter has supported more than 50 businesses and helped unlock over $200 million in total value. Learn more at https://thegrafter.com.
About Exitwise
Exitwise is an M&A advisory firm co-founded by Todd Sullivan and Brian Dukes, both exited entrepreneurs. Todd built and sold four companies over 25 years, while Brian co-founded and scaled a technology agency to over $1 billion in value. The company connects founders and business owners with industry-specific investment bankers, M&A attorneys, and deal advisors to maximise the sale of their businesses. Headquartered in Michigan, Exitwise serves clients across the United States with a mission to ensure no founder faces the exit process alone. Learn more at https://exitwise.com.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jo Brown Jo@thegrafter.com
The Grafter hello@thegrafter.com
