Pharus

Founded in 2001, Pharus is a partner-owned investment banking and merchant banking firm operating from New York and London. It was established to provide senior-level transaction advice to high-growth companies and has grown without outside capital.

The firm advises on mergers and acquisitions, financings, valuations and strategic matters, while also making selective early-stage investments. Its strongest focus is on technology and other growth-oriented sectors, including enterprise software, tech-enabled services, digital media, education technology, consumer health, personal care and dermatology.

Pharus is particularly relevant for students interested in boutique advisory work, founder-led businesses and cross-border transactions. The firm says about half of its deals involve non-US buyers or sellers and highlights work with companies across software, digital services and digital media.