Carl’s Place

Our team advised Carl’s Place on securing financing from Old National Bank.

Carls Place - Old National Bank

Transaction Details

Debt Placement Advisor

Year: 2022

Hedquarters: Milton, WI

Client: Carl’s Place

Industry: Consumer Products, Food & Beverage

Website: www.carlofet.com

Overview

Completed by the Vantage Investment Banking team under a prior firm, Carl’s Place, a leading manufacturer and distributor of fully customizable golf simulator packages and products, has secured financing from Old National Bank.

About Carl’s Place

Established in 2006, Carl’s Place offers a range of proprietary branded products including enclosures, hitting mats, and impact screens, coupled with golf technology products such as launch monitors to create complete golf simulator packages. Carl’s Place has established a unique customer experience focused on flexibility and ease, with sales channels that include Direct-to-Consumer (B2C), distribution partners, resellers, and an affiliate program featuring prominent social media influencers and sponsors.

About Old National Bank

Old National Bank, operated by Old National Bancorp, is a long-established U.S. regional bank founded in 1834 with dual headquarters in Evansville, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. It ranks among the top 30 banking companies in the United States and is the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest, with over $70 billion in assets. The bank provides a wide range of financial services including consumer and commercial banking, loans, deposits, wealth management, and treasury solutions across multiple Midwestern and Southeastern states.

Deal Team

Vantage Investment Banking

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Mike Burmesch

Partner & Co-Founder

262-483-6014

Biography

With over a decade of middle market investment banking experience, Mike brings extensive transactional and advisory expertise to the team. He has advised on more than 40 M&A, Debt Placement, and Capital Raising transactions spanning the industrials & manufacturing, business services, technology & IT services, consumer products, and food & beverage industries.

In his role, Mike provides senior-level leadership across all aspects of transaction strategy and execution. He is actively involved in shaping go-to-market strategies, advising clients on valuation and deal structure, and leading negotiations with buyers, investors, and other counterparties. Mike oversees the development of marketing materials, manages buyer and lender engagement strategies, and guides clients through complex diligence and closing processes. His breadth of experience and strategic perspective allow him to provide clear, thoughtful advice to business owners and management teams, helping them navigate significant financial and strategic events with confidence.

Prior to entering investment banking, Mike worked as a Senior Accountant with Baker Tilly. Mike holds a BBA in accounting from St. Norbert College and is a licensed CPA.

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Alex Penkwitz

Vice President & Co-Founder

262-339-8772

Biography

Working in the middle market investment banking industry since 2020, Alex is responsible for leading the day-to-day execution of M&A transactions for the Vantage Investment Banking team. His responsibilities span all phases of the transaction process, including financial modeling and valuation analysis, preparation of marketing materials, buyer and investor outreach, and coordination of due diligence activities. He plays a central role in managing timelines, facilitating communication between clients and counterparties, and supporting negotiations to ensure smooth execution.

Alex has advised on more than 25 M&A, Debt Placement, and Capital Raising transactions across multiple industries, including industrials & manufacturing, business services, technology & IT services, consumer products, and food & beverage. His experience working with both privately held businesses and institutional investors gives him a well-rounded perspective on the strategic, operational, and financial considerations that drive successful outcomes.

Alex holds a BBA in finance from Marquette University, centering his education around investments and participating in the Accelerating Ingenuity in Markets (AIM) Program. 

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