MBO Ventures

MBO Ventures

A New York-based ESOP advisory and investment-banking firm specializing in
Employee Stock Ownership Plan transactions for cannabis businesses,
offering succession planning and tax-efficient ownership transition
strategies.
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*MBO Ventures* is an ESOP advisory and investment-banking firm
headquartered in New York City. The firm focuses on structuring Employee
Stock Ownership Plan transactions for cannabis operators seeking succession
planning, liquidity events, and long-term ownership transitions. Through
ESOP structures, the firm advises companies on strategies designed to
address the financial constraints associated with Section 280E of the
Internal Revenue Code.

The firm is led by founder and Managing Partner Darren Gleeman, who
previously served as managing partner at GB Trading, a quantitative hedge
fund. He was named a Top Financial Advisor by Green Market Report in 2024.

MBO Ventures’ advisory services are organized around three practice areas:
ESOP formation for cannabis companies, ESOP management and administration,
and ESOP consulting and strategy. The firm applies ESOP frameworks to
cannabis businesses pursuing full or partial ownership transitions to
employee ownership trusts. In certain structures, fully ESOP-owned S
corporations may reduce or eliminate federal corporate income tax at the
corporate level, subject to applicable regulations, which can increase
available operating capital for debt service, expansion initiatives, and
workforce incentives.

MBO Ventures provides feasibility analysis, cash-flow modeling,
tax-planning support, entity structuring, plan design coordination, and
ongoing ESOP advisory services. The firm works with dispensaries,
cultivators, processors, and multi state operators evaluating employee
ownership as an alternative to private-equity transactions or strategic
sales. In addition to advisory services, MBO Ventures offers investment
banking capabilities and may participate alongside ownership and management
teams in transaction structuring.

The firm positions ESOP transactions as a mechanism for succession
planning, employee retention, and long-term operational continuity within
the regulated cannabis market. In 2023, MBO Ventures received a
patent-pending designation for its ESOP structuring methodology.
Company Details

*Industry:* ESOP Advisory and Investment Banking

*Headquarters:* New York, New York

*Status:* Private

*Specialty:* Cannabis ESOP Structuring

*Website:* mboventures.com
Connect with MBO Ventures
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