GovCon M&A Talk

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 advisory firm with deep expertise in government contracting, is the host of the show.

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24 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 34 min
English

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#46
October 22 · 37 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Chelsea Roberts
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Chelsea Roberts, Founder & CEO of Collaborative Compositions, about building a GovCon company for sustainable growth—and long-term value. Topics covered: ● When should a small GovCon stop acting small? ● Why more revenue doesn’t always mean more value ● Making the leap from subcontractor to prime ● Building the infrastructure to scale before you need it ● Relationships vs. data: what should drive your growth strategy? ● Why differentiation matters as competition increases ● What proposed SBA size standards could mean for small and mid-tier GovCons ● How OTAs can create new opportunities for government contractors To connect with Chelsea, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about Collaborative Compositions, 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.
#45
October 8 · 33 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Mike Derrios
Mike Derrios, Executive Director of George Mason University's Baroni Center for Government Contracting. Topics covered: ● Where will the next generation of GovCon leaders come from? ● Bridging the gap between government, industry and the classroom ● What happens when a $15 million company competes against a $400 million “small business”? ● Why GovCon companies may need to throw out the old growth playbook ● Could the proposed SBA size standards discourage the next generation of small businesses? To connect with Mike, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here. To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
#44
September 17 · 54 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Steve Koprince
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Steve Koprince, National GovCon Small Business Expert. Topics covered: ● What happens when “almost everybody’s small”? ● When your competitors suddenly get a whole lot bigger ● Are you big enough to compete as a “small” business? ● Why the SBA’s proposed changes could put M&A on the table for more GovCon owners To connect with Steve, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here. To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
#43
September 10 · 30 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Mark Amtower
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Mark Amtower of Amtower & Company. Topics covered: ● Why trying to be everything to everyone can hurt your GovCon company ● Do you own a company — or do you have a job? ● Why relationships ARE marketing in GovCon ● Why “the riches are in the niches” ● What being “findable” has to do with building a more valuable company To connect with Mark, visit him LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about Amtower & Company, visit them on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠. To connect with Sharon Heaton, visit her LinkedIn page here. To follow and learn more about sbLiftOff, check them out here.
#42
August 27 · 34 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Jon Williams
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Jon Williams of PilieroMazza about bombshell SBA size standard proposed changes. Topics covered: ● Proposed rule, not yet adopted ● If adopted, this would be a massive change ● Benefits include increased number of buyers for small businesses ● Challenges include smaller businesses having to compete with companies 10X their size ● Potential impact on mentor-protégé relationships To connect with Jon, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about PilieroMazza, 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.
#41
August 20 · 24 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Paula Smithers
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Paula Smithers of sbLiftOff. Topics covered: ● Running a small business like a big business ● Numbers can surprise you ● The big life impact of M&A ● Why a good M&A advisor positively impacts employees, customers AND owners To connect with Paula, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about sbLiftOff, 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.
#40
August 6 · 33 min· Video
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.
#39
July 23 · 31 min· Video
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.
#38
July 9 · 37 min· Video
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.
#37
June 25 · 41 min· Video
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.
#36
June 11 · 39 min· Video
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.
#35
May 28 · 27 min· Video
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.
#34
May 14 · 42 min· Video
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.
#33
April 23 · 35 min· Video
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.
#31
April 9 · 29 min· Video
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.
#30
March 26 · 30 min· Video
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.
#29
March 12 · 35 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Heather Newlin
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with growth guru Heather Newlin. Topics covered: ● Bridging the gap between strategy and execution ● Understanding longterm consequences of fixed term contracts ● Diversifying agencies AND diversifying contracts ● Not all growth is equal To connect with Heater, 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.
#28
February 26 · 19 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Stephanie Alexander
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with Stephanie Alexander, former owner of BOOST. Topics covered: BD, OPS and G&A need to be tied together Needing capital to grow People and culture are King Managing expectations during an M&A To connect with Stephanie, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about BOOST, 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.
#27
February 12 · 34 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Baly Ambegaoker
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with serial entrepreneur Baly Ambegaoker of BTMS. Topics covered: Build a Company to Sell It Run a Company to Keep It Taking “Gambles” as an Entrepreneur Technology and the Government Customer To connect with Baly, visit her LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about BTMS, 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.
#26
January 29 · 39 min· Video
GovCon M&A Talk with Michael Graveline
Sharon Heaton⁠, the founder of sbLiftOff and a leading small business, growth strategies, and M&A SME, talks with serial entrepreneur Michael Graveline of KMRG. Topics covered: ● Selling a small company to an industry legend ● Starting and selling a GovCon company in 3 years ● Winning your first prime contract in 9 months ● When it's time for inorganic growth ● When to sell and when to hold; work/life balance To connect with Michael, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠. To learn more about KMRG, 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.

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