Exit Grandmaster

About the Author

Joe Onwuegbusi

Joe Onwuegbusi is the Founder and Managing Partner of Helio Capital Advisors, a unique M&A strategic advisory firm focused on helping lower middle market businesses prepare for a sell-side process and optimize their exit results. Joe is also the Founder and CEO of InvestLinQ, a digital platform that facilitates the execution of private equity deals.

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Joe worked for nearly two decades for a global operationally focused private equity firm with nearly $50 billion in assets under management. Over those two decades he served in several senior roles within M&A, including in a unique sell-side post where he was inserted at the board-level of various portfolio companies to help craft a multi-year exit strategy, prepare the business for sale, manage the exit process and ultimately negotiate a successful transaction. During this sell-side leadership role he sold multiple portfolio companies collectively generating several billions in revenue across a diverse set of sizes, industries and geographies. It was during this sell-side leadership role he fine-tuned his exit playbook and the idea for the Exit Grandmaster was born.

At the time of his departure from private equity in early 2024, he was a Principal focused on firmwide Corporate Strategy & Development, responsible for sourcing, cultivating and negotiating various strategic options for his firm.

Joe started his career as an investment banker in New York, where he advised financial institutions.

Originally from Southern California, Joe holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business, from the University of Southern California, where he graduated with Honors.

Joe lives in Hermosa Beach, California with his wife, their two kids and a dog named Captain.