12075 N. Corporate Parkway, Suite 120 | Mequon, WI 53092
[email protected]

Built on Trust. Defined by Results.

Deal Room
Deal Room

Model Finance Company

Our team advised Model Finance Company on the divestiture of its powersports finance portfolio to Agora Data.

Model Finance Company

Transaction Details

Sell-Side Advisory

Year: 2025

Client: Model Finance Company

Industry: Consumer Products, Food & Beverage

Hedquarters: Orange, CA

Website: www.modelfinance.com

Overview

Completed by the Vantage Investment Banking team under a prior firm, Model Finance Company, a finance company engaged in originating, acquiring, and servicing direct financing contracts has divested its powersports finance portfolio to Agora Data, a leading consumer fintech company.

About Model Finance Company

Established in 1962, Model Finance Company is an independent, licensed finance company supporting consumer purchases of motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft, and other recreational powersport vehicles. Model Finance proudly partners with over 200 powersport dealers across ten states, reinforcing is position as a crucial partner in the industry. Through its specialized lending approach, Model Finance has cultivated exceptional risk management expertise designed specifically for subprime borrowers, enabling its dealers to tap into a broader and more diverse customer base.

About Agora Data

Agora Data, headquartered in Arlington, TX, is a leading consumer fintech company revolutionizing financing for the subprime and non-prime markets. Agora Data enables loan originators to secure capital, obtain actionable loan performance data to improve their portfolios, and use a wide range of solutions to growth their business safely.

Deal Team

Vantage Investment Banking
Bill Penkwitz

Bill Penkwitz

Partner
Mike Burmesch

Mike Burmesch

Partner
Eli Buczek

Eli Buczek

Senior Analyst

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Built On Trust. Defined By Results.

We specialize in investment banking for privately held businesses, offering expert guidance and fresh perspectives. Contact us to learn more and explore your options.

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12075 N. Corporate Parkway, Suite 120 
Mequon, WI 53092
Get In Touch
[email protected]
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Mike Burmesch

Partner & Co-Founder

262-483-6014

[email protected]

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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Bill Penkwitz

Partner & Co-Founder

414-559-3519

[email protected]

Biography

Bill brings more than 25 years of investment banking experience, previously founding and building a boutique investment banking firm focused on advising middle market companies on mergers and acquisitions, debt placements, capital raising, and strategic advisory transactions. Over the course of his career, he has advised on more than 150 transactions across a wide range of industries. Bill remains active in the greater Milwaukee community, serving as a board member of several Wisconsin-based organizations and a shareholder in a number of privately held businesses.

Bill’s extensive experience gives him a unique perspective on both the advisory and operational sides of businesses, allowing him to provide thoughtful, senior-level guidance to business owners, management teams, and investors. Bill remains actively involved in all aspects of client engagements, ensuring each process benefits from his deep industry knowledge and leadership.

Prior to entering investment banking, Bill spent several years with U.S. Bank Capital Markets where he personally arranged over $200MM in structured finance transactions. Bill earned his Masters Degree in accounting and received a BBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has passed the CPA exam.

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Eli Buczek

Senior Analyst

[email protected]

414-828-6780

Biography

As an Analyst, Eli plays a key role in supporting the senior team throughout all stages of client engagements. His responsibilities include conducting in-depth financial analysis, developing valuation models, preparing presentation materials, and assisting in the coordination of due diligence efforts. Eli works hand-in-hand with senior members of the team to help manage transaction workstreams, maintain communication with counterparties, and ensure that key deliverables are executed accurately and on schedule.

Eli earned a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse concentrating his education around corporate finance.

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