About

A DEALMAKER WHO’S BEEN IN THE OPERATOR’S SEAT

Founder - R33 Ventures

Marc Deegan, MBA, CBV

A hands-on operator and M&A advisor with firsthand entrepreneurial experience, who brings practical expertise in acquisitions, divestitures, business valuation and financing to help entrepreneurs navigate important transactions and create long-term value.

Three key experiences

Have defined my career path

Three distinct experiences have shaped the way I advise entrepreneurs today: operating and investing in SMEs, learning the craft of M&A and business valuation, and sharing that experience with the next generation of entrepreneurs.

FIRST KEY EXPERIENCE

SME Operational Experience

I’ve had the privilege of being a shareholder and holding leadership roles in both service and manufacturing SMEs, including a family-run business. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons—above all:

Persistence

In a SME, persistence isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Persistence means showing up every day with resolve, making difficult decisions, and staying committed to long-term objectives even when short-term outcomes are uncertain.

Team

Success is built on the strength, trust, and alignment of the team. In a smaller company, every hire matters disproportionately, and every team member wears multiple hats. Leadership means cultivating a culture of accountability and mutual support, where people feel empowered and connected to the company’s mission.

Growth

Growth requires a mindset of continuous improvement, openness to feedback, and the discipline to build systems and processes that can scale. Growth also means personal growth as a leader—learning to let go, delegate, and evolve as the organization matures.

SECOND KEY EXPERIENCE

Advisory services

I was very fortunate to have worked for an entrepreneurial mid sized accounting firm for ten years in their Financial Advisory Group. I had incredible mentors who taught me the craft of M&A, Valuations, Value Creation and Financing. This led to me obtaining the Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation. I also experienced firsthand the skill set and mindset required to become a trusted advisor to an entrepreneur.

THIRD KEY EXPERIENCE

Teaching and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)

An invitation to guest lecture led to creating and teaching courses in Business Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance at McGill University.
Today, alongside my work at R33 Ventures, I teach Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) in the MBA program at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business and serve as Program Director – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition for the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship and M&A Club Academy.
These roles allow me to combine my experience as an operator and M&A advisor with my passion for helping the next generation of entrepreneurs evaluate, acquire and build businesses. Teaching also keeps me continuously engaged with new ideas, perspectives and developments in my craft.

Guest Interview – The empowered investor

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition with Marc Deegan

“Good is the enemy of Great”