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MEET THE TEAM

AcquiMatch, a dynamic startup at the forefront of the investment and acquisition search industry. Our pioneering AcquiMatch service is revolutionizing the way clients connect with their ideal business acquisitions, blending cutting-edge technology with bespoke expertise to navigate the bustling market of small business opportunities. 

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ATHENA SIMPSON

FOUNDER

Founder of AcquiMatch with over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, university educator, and advisor for private clients and in large business and acquisition communities. Athena has helped hundreds of buyers navigate acquisitions. As a searcher, she developed her own deal flow machine through events, mail, marketing, and more. She also raised $3 million in investment in 5 days to pursue an $8 Million opportunity before starting AcquiMatch.

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ARMANDO VERA CARVAJAL

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Armando Vera Carvajal is the Head of Operations at AcquiMatch, where he ensures every first-time buyer's acquisition journey runs seamlessly from start to close. A two-time startup founder, Armando brings a rare operator's lens to the acquisition process: he's acquired, built, and scaled businesses. He previously built an online accelerator from the ground up, scaling it from 5 to 200 employees and $25M ARR across 5,000+ startups globally. He brings the entrepreneurial grit and analytical rigor that define AcquiMatch's proprietary approach to acquisition matchmaking.

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ATHENA SIMPSON

ATHENA SIMPSON

FOUNDER

Athena leverages over 24 years of entrepreneurial and strategic expertise to guide AcquiMatch clients through seamless business acquisitions. Her deep knowledge in marketing, operations, and business strategy ensures every client receives personalized support to identify, evaluate, and secure the right opportunities for long-term success.

ANKE BADENHORST

ANKE BADENHORST

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Anke ensures the smooth operation of AcquiMatch by streamlining processes and optimizing client experiences. With a detail-oriented approach and a knack for organization, she plays a pivotal role in managing workflows and supporting both the team and clients throughout their business acquisition journeys.

RYAN TANSEY

RYAN TANSEY

VETTING DIRECTOR

Ryan brings extensive expertise in valuing and vetting small and medium-sized businesses to his role at AcquiMatch. With a proven track record of assessing high-value online businesses, constructing valuations, and streamlining vetting processes, Ryan ensures that every acquisition opportunity meets the highest standards of quality and potential, guiding clients toward successful and informed decisions.

IDA BADENHORST

IDA BADENHORST

VETTING SUPPORT

Ida ensures the seamless progression of deals at AcquiMatch by managing the administrative process from start to finish. She excels at coordinating with brokers and owners, following up on critical tasks, and providing essential support to the deal team to keep acquisitions on track.

LUKE GILESPIE

LUKE GILESPE

VETTING ANALYST

Luke brings a diverse background in financial analysis, business development, and digital transformation to his role at AcquiMatch. With expertise in financial modeling, market research, and deal evaluation, Luke supports the vetting process by delivering data-driven insights to identify and assess high-quality acquisition opportunities for clients.

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MAUSAM DEVI

LEAD GENERATION MANAGER

Mausam drives the outreach and lead generation efforts at AcquiMatch, ensuring a steady pipeline of high-quality acquisition opportunities for clients. His strategic approach and expertise in relationship-building help connect buyers with the right businesses, laying the foundation for successful acquisitions.

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ANKE JORDAAN

PROGRAM MANAGER

Anke Jordaan is the Program Manager and Interim Talent Lead at AcquiMatch. With an MBA and a strong background in program and business operations, Anke is the experiential backbone of the team: she manages programs, streamlines operations, and ensures every client engagement stays on track towards an excellent outcome. She also leads talent efforts, bringing on the people who power the company's acquisition matchmaking.

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RYAN CASH

ASSOCIATE M&A ADVISOR

Ryan Cash is the Associate M&A Advisor at AcquiMatch, where he helps clients navigate the acquisition process from opportunity review through diligence and deal execution. He works closely with buyers to evaluate businesses, ask the right questions, and stay focused on the opportunities that make the most sense for their goals. With experience in equity research at Capital One and years spent in the startup world, Ryan brings a thoughtful mix of financial analysis, strategy, and practical judgment to every deal. He attended Texas A&M University. 

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HAYDEN PRENTICE

ASSOCIATE M&A ANALYST

Hayden Prentice is the M&A Analyst at AcquiMatch and brings operational leadership and deep M&A expertise to the Deal Team. He has previously led complex transactions across private equity and corporate environments. Also, as COO of a defense technology startup, he oversaw strategic growth initiatives, enterprise sales, and the operational execution of a business in hypergrowth. He combines hands-on operating experience with rigorous financial analysis to effectively source off-market opportunities and help facilitate the on-market deal process at Acquimatch. Hayden attended Texas A&M University. 

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IDA BADENHORST

CLIENT COORDINATOR 

Ida Badenhorst is the Client Coordinator at AcquiMatch, where she serves as the primary link between clients and the internal team, ensuring that information flows clearly, expectations remain aligned, and next steps are coordinated seamlessly. Through her strong organizational skills and effective communication, Ida helps ensure that each client engagement runs efficiently and stays on track.

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RAY LUDICK

DEAL FLOW COORDINATOR

Ray Ludick is a Deal Flow Coordinator at AcquiMatch, where she supports the Deal Team as a bridge between brokers and internal staff. Ray helps lay the groundwork for each client deal and ensures a smooth, thoughtful process all the way through. Think of her as someone who plants the seed and nurtures it until it sprouts. She holds a degree in Psychology and Labor Law and brings both insight and empathy to every interaction. Ray has a strong understanding of people’s emotions, motivations, and needs, which helps her support clients, brokers, and internal teams in achieving their goals. 

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MEI-HWA HENDRICKS

DEAL FLOW COORDINATOR

Mei-Hwa Hendricks is a Deal Flow Coordinator at AcquiMatch. She brings over 14 years of people-focused experience across hospitality, aviation, and business operations. Throughout her career, she has developed strong skills in high-pressure decision-making, multitasking, client relations, and supporting leadership, alongside expertise in administration, organization, and strategic communication. Known for her ability to handle multiple responsibilities with precision and follow-through, she ensures that every process moves smoothly and efficiently so clients receive the best possible outcomes.

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MATT WEINTRUB

DEAL WRITEUP SPECIALIST

Matt Weintrub is a Deal Writeup Specialist at AcquiMatch. An angel investor and product leader whose portfolio of startups exceeds $1 billion in combined valuation. He has deep experience in financial management and dealmaking, having helped build and scale companies past $100 million in revenue. Matt specializes in identifying asymmetric opportunities, structuring durable businesses, and partnering with founders to drive long-term value creation.

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ALEX HERNANDEZ

DEAL WRITEUP SPECIALIST

Alex Hernandez is a Deal Writeup Specialist at AcquiMatch. A founder, investor, and senior analyst with deep experience across venture capital, private credit, and product leadership. He has led investment due diligence, built advanced financial models, and supported the scaling of technology companies across education, healthcare, and aerospace. Alex brings a sharp analytical lens to deal evaluation, with a strong focus on risk, structure, and long-term value creation.

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SHAWHEEN ATTAR

 TECH STACK ARCHITECT 

Shawheen Attar supports AcquiMatch by designing and optimizing the underlying operational systems and tech stack. His focus is on process clarity, tooling, and data flow, ensuring the model behind the scenes is aligned, scalable, and efficient.

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DAVID ROMERO

M&A RESEARCH SPECIALIST

David Romero serves as the engine behind AcquiMatch’s deal flow, expertly managing the research and entry of both on-market and off-market opportunities. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of client criteria, he ensures only the most relevant and high-quality deals make it to the pipeline, empowering the deal team to focus on what they do best—closing great acquisitions.

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MAUSAM DEVI

LEAD GENERATION MANAGER

Mausam Devi drives AcquiMatch’s outreach and lead generation efforts, ensuring a steady pipeline of high-quality acquisition opportunities for clients. By fueling the top of the funnel with precision and care, Mausam plays a vital role in keeping the deal pipeline strong and dynamic.

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COMPANY VALUES

  1. No Tolerance for Average: Pursuing excellence in everything, we always strive to outperform ourselves.

  2. Business is a Love Language: We live and breathe business, embracing every opportunity to learn and improve.

  3. Relentless Results: We hate stagnation, we proactively chase outcomes and impactful achievements, turning initiative into action.

  4. Leave 'Em Better Than We Found 'Em: No matter who we interact with, we prioritize relationship building as it's the foundation of our business.

  5. Fuel Beyond Work: We're committed but never at the cost of our well-being. Embracing health, nurturing relationships, and seeking nourishment for the soul, we ensure we thrive in life to bring our best selves to work.

  6. Own It, Ace It: We stand behind our work and actions. Accountability isn’t just a principle; it’s our identity.

  7. Spark Joy in the Journey: We love what we do, celebrating wins big and small, and fostering a positive and engaging work environment.