Our Story

Our story may be
a bit like yours.

We built Rainmaker the same way you built your business — with an entrepreneurial mindset, hard work, and the integrity to do it right. Thirty years later, those early-days instincts have grown into polished, institutional M&A capabilities. The grit never left.

"We don't just know the buyers. We understand their motivations, their underwriting criteria, and exactly how to engage them on your behalf."

— Rainmaker Partners

Where We Started

In 1995 we set out to build something of our own — driven by curiosity, integrity, and a genuine passion for M&A. Those instincts never left us. What started as hustle and hard work has become a disciplined, institutional practice built on three decades of transactions and deep PE relationships.

Where We Are Today

We work differently than most. We get into the details of your business — the numbers, the operations, the story — and help shape the specific qualities that drive value in the eyes of a buyer. We also spend real time understanding what you want out of this: your financial goals, your legacy, your team. A great outcome means different things to different people, and we’re here to deliver yours.

— What Makes Us Different

Operators First. Bankers Second.

We built our own business from nothing. That operator’s mindset shapes how we advise — practically, directly, and with genuine respect for what you’ve built.

We Engage Long Before the Sale

Real value is created before the process starts. Our pre-transaction services link operational improvements directly to exit value — months or years in advance.

We Know Private Equity from the Inside Out

We don’t just know who the buyers are — we understand their investment theses, underwriting models, and what makes them pay a premium. That intelligence drives everything we do.
The Team

Senior Partners Only.
Every Engagement. Every Time.

When you work with Rainmaker, you work with us — not a team of associates. Every client engagement is managed personally by a Senior Partner from the first conversation through closing.

Erik Ott

Partner

Erik spearheads the M&A team having completed numerous transactions in the Technology market. Erik is particularly adept in helping entrepreneurs present their business through tailored messaging to a variety of potential buyers. Erik has also represented publicly traded companies in buy-side initiatives. Erik is comfortable navigating uncharted territory, known for his straightforward approach, and a pillar of strength when deal emotions take over. Erik received his BA from St. Lawrence University and is fluent in Spanish.

Edwin Metcalf

Partner

Edwin loves to develop strategies to build businesses and position them for value. Over 30 years he has forged important strategic relationships and mergers for clients. For sellers and buyers, Edwin can put a process in place to cover the market, gain important insights, and get deals done. In the manufacturing space, Edwin has worked with his family’s 100-year-old business, which processes paper and manufactures ropes. Edwin received his BA from Colgate University and his MA from Johns Hopkins University. In his free time he is a volunteer for the Marin County Search & Rescue team.

Scott Lipsitz

Partner
Scott is a seasoned executive with 30+ years of experience driving growth, strategy, and M&A across industries. He has led financings, strategic transactions, and partnerships that deliver transformative outcomes for clients. For Scott, music is more than a hobby. A lifelong string player, he is sought after for his skills on the bass by jazz and blues groups.