How ZRG’s CEO Built a 17-Deal M&A Engine with Larry Hartmann

Larry Hartman, CEO of ZRG Partners

In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Kison Patel speaks with Larry Hartman, CEO of ZRG Partners, about how to align strategic M&A with scalable growth. Larry shares how he transformed ZRG into one of the fastest-growing executive search and talent advisory firms through 17 acquisitions in just four years. They break down how to compete with strategic buyers, incentivize founders post-close, maintain deal momentum, and choose the right private equity partner to fuel long-term value. If you want tactical advice on how to build a durable M&A program from the buy-side—this is it.

Things You Will Learn

How to compete with strategics and win deals through culture and upside
Structuring founder incentives: equity, earnouts, employment, and non-competes
Why proprietary deal flow beats auction processes—and how to build it
The role of private equity in accelerating M&A strategy and funding

Larry Hartmann

Larry Hartman is the CEO of ZRG Partners, a global talent advisory firm. A two-time entrepreneur, Larry scaled ZRG from a boutique firm into one of the industry’s fastest-growing players—leveraging 17 acquisitions, data-driven hiring, and deep partnerships with private equity to fuel international expansion. Before ZRG, he co-founded Rockford Industries, took it public, and sold it to American Express.

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