Matthew Thornton launched Akantha Originations in 2025 after recognising the need for a viable off-market introductions service in Ireland for the lower-middle market.

He wants to bring local businesses together to build more resilient, efficient and prosperous platforms - turning key person risk into key person advantage.

Due to their smaller size, footprint and limited marketability, local operators struggle to realise the value of their business, and face a lower likelihood of continuation as they approach retirement. Historically, an absence of dedicated origination services in Ireland feeds into this dislocation.

Where traditional advisory models typically take on ‘warm deals’, Akantha maintains a list of off-market but interested sellers who are open to bilateral deals if they are approached.