Responsible Ownership. Enduring Legacy.
We partner with founders who care deeply about what they’ve built. Our approach prioritizes continuity, integrity, and long-term value.
Your business is more than a transaction. We honor its legacy while positioning it for sustainable growth.
You didn’t just build a business. You built a livelihood, a team, and a reputation that took years of sacrifice to create. Late nights, early mornings, financial risk, and personal commitment all shaped what your business is today.
When the time comes to step back, the decision isn’t only about price. It’s about who will carry the business forward for your employees, your customers, and your community.
Harbor Legacy Group exists to be that partner.
Built to Protect What You’ve Built
The meaning behind the name
Harbor represents stability and protection.
A harbor is where vessels return after long journeys. It is steady, resilient, and built to endure changing conditions.
Having grown up near Cold Spring Harbor in Huntington, New York, Matt sees a harbor not just as a place, but as a symbol of continuity and stewardship. It reflects care, responsibility, and long-term thinking. Legacy reflects responsibility.
Not only what was built, but what is preserved and strengthened for the next generation. Harbor Legacy Group reflects a commitment to long-term ownership. We partner with founders who care deeply about what they have built and operate with integrity, discipline, and respect for that foundation.
This is not transactional ownership. It is responsible ownership.
My Approach
Explore how we think about ownership, partnership, and long-term value creation. Each element reflects what business owners care about most when deciding what comes next.
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Preserving what you’ve built matters. Owners care deeply about their employees, customers, and the communities they’ve served for years. We acquire businesses with the intention of protecting their identity and strengthening what already works, not stripping value for short-term gain.
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A longer investment horizon leads to better decisions. Rather than operating on a short exit clock, we plan to own and operate businesses for the long-term, allowing for patient growth, reinvestment, and sustainable success.
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Your business won’t be one of dozens in a portfolio. We dedicate our full attention to your business, ensuring leadership alignment, operational support, and consistent strategic focus.
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Every owner’s goals are different. We work collaboratively to structure transactions that balance upfront liquidity with optional rollover equity, giving owners the opportunity to participate in future upside if they choose.
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Selling doesn’t have to mean years of obligation. We value your expertise but respect your personal priorities, keeping transition periods clear, intentional, and typically under one year.
Meet the Founder
Matthew La Mendola
Matt grew up on Long Island, New York, shaped by a strong sense of community and service inspired by his parents’ medical careers. He began his career in New York as a media buyer at Spark Foundry, working with national brands, before joining The Walt Disney Company, where he managed a $170M annual book of business in performance marketing. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and is focused on acquiring and growing a business with a long-term ownership mindset rooted in stewardship and continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We seek profitable, founder-owned businesses with strong teams, loyal customers, and durable demand.
Typically:
Service-oriented or recurring revenue businesses
$750K–$2.5M in EBITDA
Established operating history
Located in the New York Tri-State area.
Most importantly, we look for businesses built with care and long-term relationships.
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The first step is a confidential conversation. You can share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with, even if you’re only beginning to explore succession. If there’s mutual fit, we’ll schedule a follow-up call and outline a low-pressure path forward.
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No. Harbor Legacy Group is an independent acquisition firm focused on purchasing and operating one exceptional business for the long term.
We are not building a portfolio or planning a short-term resale. The intent is permanent ownership with Matt serving as full-time CEO.
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We understand that selling a business is deeply personal. It represents years and often decades of sacrifice and commitment.
My approach is simple: earn trust through transparency, consistency, and respect. We are not looking to dismantle what you built. We are looking to preserve and strengthen it.
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Expect a respectful, transparent process with direct communication and no intermediaries. We take time to understand what you’ve built, what matters most to you, and what a successful transition looks like for your employees, customers, and community. My goal is to be the kind of buyer you can feel proud handing the keys to.
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Preserving what you’ve built is a top priority. We approach every acquisition with a long-term mindset, focused on continuity for employees, customers, and the business as a whole.
Our goal is not to overhaul what works, but to build on it thoughtfully and support your team, maintaining relationships, and ensuring the company continues to grow in a way that reflects the foundation you’ve created.
Contact Us
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