Why Most Independent Sponsors Lose Deals They Should Have Won (And How to Fix It)

The best offer doesn’t always win; rather, the most trusted buyer does. This is where many independent sponsors struggle to secure deals—not due to capability or price, but because of perception. If a seller lacks certainty in a buyer, that deal is unlikely to be won. We have compiled a brief breakdown of why this phenomenon occurs and what truly influences the outcome. Curious to hear from others: where have you seen deals slip away? https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5984a0f3e3df2867773800ec/t/69dbe9e73ab83507dfc42bdc/###-###-#### /RKJ+Partners+-+Buy+Side+Newsletter+-+Vol+5+Article+9+%282026%29.pdf