M&A advisory firm Marktlink launches new office in Zagreb

European M&A consultancy has Marktlink has opened a new office in Zagreb, its 19th office overall.

The new office is Marktlink’s second office in the Adriatic region, following previous expansion into Slovenia. The dealmaker considers the region as an attractive market for a number of reasons, including demand from local businesses, growing interest from foreign investors, and a wave of ownership successions expected in the family business segment.

“The Adriatic region is an emerging economy and has been showing stable economic growth for years. It’s an interesting market for mid-market M&A deals,” said Niek Derks, partner at Marktlink. “Additionally, the strategic location of Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia between Western and Eastern Europe is attractive for companies looking to strengthen their presence in this region.”

And third: “The market will see a large number of family successions in the coming years. Some thirty years ago, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia were still part of the former Yugoslavia. Since then, a large number of companies have sprouted up and are now thinking of a possible succession.”

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Marktlink helps mid-market owners with selling their business, buying other businesses, and generational succession. The consulting firm also works for financial investors, such as private equity houses and family offices. Across its 19 offices in Europe, Marktlink currently has around 200 dealmakers.

Through its interconnected network, Marktlink is known for its success in cross-border tie-ups. Derks said that in the Adriatic region in particular, that will form a key part of the offering. “The blurring of European country borders creates more opportunities for cross-border transactions, especially in countries that are usually less obvious for M&A expansion. This region offers huge opportunities for such cross-border deals.”

Dino Bendeković

Leading the new office is Dino Bendeković, who has been appointed as Managing Partner for Croatia. He joins from Grant Thornton, where he was a senior leader and Head of M&A business in the Northern Adriatic region. Bendeković’s track record spans dozens of mergers & acquisitions in Europe, including in the CEE region, in sectors such as industry, business services, tourism, healthcare, distribution, ICT, and transportation.

“I’m excited about the incredible potential for Marktlink. The growing interest in deals within the region and surrounding European markets offers a wealth of possibilities, and we’re committed to providing the guidance and support owners and businesses need to navigate these transitions,” said Bendeković.