Edward Valaitis
Managing Partner
Managing Partner | M&A Advisor | Business Intermediary | Tampa Bay, Florida
Edward Valaitis is a trusted M&A Advisor and business intermediary serving Tampa Bay and throughout Florida, with more than 30 years of experience helping entrepreneurs successfully navigate the process of selling a business, selling commercial real estate, acquiring companies, and maximizing the value of privately held enterprises.
As Managing Partner of Edison Avenue M&A Advisors, Edward works directly with business owners across Tampa Bay and the State of Florida to transform what is often their largest and most illiquid asset — their company — into realized wealth through a strategic, confidential, and professionally managed sale.
For many owners, selling a business is the most significant financial event of their lifetime. It requires far more than finding a buyer. It demands preparation, positioning, valuation strategy, timing, negotiation, and discretion. As a seasoned M&A Advisor and intermediary in Florida, Edward guides business owners through every stage of the transaction process — ensuring they avoid costly mistakes, preserve confidentiality, and achieve the strongest possible outcome.
Edward earned the prestigious Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional (CM&AP) designation, among others, and founded Edison Avenue to bring institutional-quality M&A advisory services to business owners in Tampa Bay and across Florida — without the burden of investment-bank-level fees. His clients include founders and owner-led businesses seeking expert guidance on selling a business, succession planning, valuation, or strategic exit planning.
What distinguishes Edward Valaitis as an M&A Advisor in Tampa Bay is not only his transaction experience, but his deep operational background. Before founding Edison Avenue, he held senior leadership roles at nationally recognized firms, including Deutsche Bank, ITT Commercial Finance, BDO, Resource Global, and Jefferson Wells International. In these roles, he helped build consulting divisions from startup to tens — and in some cases hundreds — of millions in revenue.
This hands-on experience gives Edward a practical understanding of how businesses are built, scaled, and ultimately sold — and what sophisticated buyers in Florida and nationwide truly value during due diligence.
Business owners working with Edward benefit from strategic insight into factors that directly impact valuation and marketability, including ownership of real estate, customer concentration, management depth, and deal structure. His focus as a Florida-based intermediary is always clear — position the business to maximize value while protecting the owner’s legacy and life’s work.
Edward is also the author of Exit Like A Winner. This popular book was written to help business owners understand when to sell a business, how to prepare for a sale, and how to unlock the wealth embedded inside their company. His philosophy is grounded in a simple truth:
"A business sale is not just a transaction — it is a life transition."
Deeply rooted in the Tampa Bay business community, Edward has been actively involved with organizations such as the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, Association for Corporate Growth, Financial Executives International, and the University of Tampa. He also supports local nonprofit initiatives and remains committed to strengthening both education and opportunity across Florida.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and earned his MBA with Beta Gamma Sigma honors.
Thinking About Selling a Business in Tampa Bay or Florida?
If you are considering selling a business, planning your exit, or exploring strategic options, the choice of M&A Advisor and intermediary will directly impact your outcome.
Edward Valaitis and the Edison Avenue M&A Advisors team provide confidential, experienced guidance to business owners throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and across Florida — helping ensure your company is properly positioned, professionally marketed, and successfully sold.
Start the conversation today.
Connect with Edison Avenue to confidentially discuss your business, your goals, and your future — before the market decides for you.
800.975.2114
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