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M&A heating up again- Autism treatment sector

Private Equity Interest in ABA Businesses Is Growing

If you own an ABA business, you’ve likely seen an increase in interest from private equity firms. After a few quieter years, the ABA market is seeing renewed momentum

Why PE Firms Are Re-Entering the ABA Space

Private equity investors are shifting their view of the industry. Early concerns from high-profile failures  like CARD/Blackstone, Kadiant/TPG, and Elemy  are now seen as outliers. The sector is maturing, and the demand for autism services continues to rise.

Middle-Market Investors Lead the Charge

Unlike past cycles dominated by large-cap firms, today’s activity is driven by middle-market healthcare investors. These groups see opportunity in helping strong ABA providers scale to meet growing needs.

Labor shortages and insurance reimbursement pressures persist. Still, investors recognize the potential in best-in-class ABA companies that can grow efficiently and deliver quality care.

  • May 2025: Alongside ABA Acquires San Diego ABA
    Backed by Fletch Equity, Alongside ABA expanded with acquisitions in Los Angeles and San Diego.

  • May 2025: Behavior Frontiers Sold to NexPhase Capital
    Operating in 12 states, Behavior Frontiers transitioned from Lorient Capital to NexPhase Capital.

  • March 2025: Unison Therapy Sold to Ascend Partners & Autism Impact Fund
    A multi-service provider, Unison was previously backed by Ridgemont Equity Partners.

Now may be the right time to explore your options. With investor interest rising, strong ABA providers are well-positioned for strategic growth or sale.

For more information or questions, please contact the Healthcare Services team:

Paul Kacik, Managing Director: pkacik@hexagoncapitalalliance.com

Brad Erhart, Director: berhart@hexagoncapitalalliance.com