Your firm, elevated.
We help AEC Design firms grow
Agathos AEC is assembling a premier national platform of best-in-class Architecture, Engineering (Structural, Civil, and MEP), and specialty design practices across North America.
We provide the business infrastructure, ERP software, expert support, and capital to help our partners grow.
Benefits for Partners
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Operational Support
We take care of the business infrastructure, including ERP systems to HR, accounting, IT, legal, taxes, and compliance. This frees our partners to focus on clients, design excellence, and delivering great projects.
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Strategic Guidance
Our experienced managing partners work alongside firm leadership to strengthen decision-making, improve performance, and help you scale thoughtfully while preserving your culture and autonomy.
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National Network
Become part of a growing network of AEC design firms with opportunities for collaboration, referrals, shared expertise, and the ability to pursue larger projects (while still operating as your own firm).
Services & Guidance
Built to empower, not replace
Agathos AEC helps architecture and engineering design firms grow without losing what makes them great.
We provide platform services, strategic guidance, and capital that streamline operations while preserving your company’s vision and values.
By reducing administrative friction and improving visibility, we give firms the freedom to focus on what matters most: their people, their clients, and sustainable growth.
We take care of the Business infrastructure,
freeing our partners to do what they do best.
Agathos AEC brings real-world AEC leadership and strategic growth expertise to manage the operational and administrative backbone of your firm.
From best-in-class ERP systems to strategic support and shared resources, we create the foundation needed to scale.
This allows our partners to stay focused on design excellence, client relationships, and project delivery.
We manage administrative support & provide top-tier ERP for the following functions:
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We provide centralized accounting and compliance support to ensure accurate financial reporting, regulatory adherence, and audit readiness. Our team standardizes processes across the platform while delivering timely insights that help firm leaders make informed, confident decisions.
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We manage payroll and employee benefits with precision and care, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance. Our centralized approach delivers a seamless experience for employees and clarity for leadership.
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We partner with best-in-class tax advisors who specialize in providing strategic tax guidance to AEC firms. We manage tax compliance and coordination so firm leaders don’t have to. Our centralized approach ensures filings are handled correctly and on time while helping companies plan proactively as they grow.
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We provide centralized legal support to manage risk, ensure compliance, and support day-to-day operations. From contract review and governance to employment and regulatory matters, our approach brings consistency, protection, and confidence as firms grow.
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We deliver centralized HR and talent acquisition support to help firms attract, develop, and retain top talent. From hiring and onboarding to performance management and employee relations, we standardize people operations while supporting a strong, scalable culture.
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We deliver centralized facilities and IT services that support modern, scalable operations. From infrastructure and cybersecurity to workplace systems, we enable efficiency, reliability, and growth across the platform.
Practical Support & Resources to
Scale Your Firm
By unlocking operational synergies and fostering strong partnerships, Agathos AEC empowers firms to expand into national leaders and take on projects of any size with confidence.
Our Partnership Approach:
Long-term partnerships with smart integration
Operational support rooted in industry experience
Respect for firm culture and leadership
Shared resources that strengthen, not dilute, expertise
Our Team
With decades of strategic, operating, finance and C-Suite experience with some of the leading commercial services companies in the US, the leadership team at Agathos AEC is ready to take your business to the next level. Reach out today. We’re always looking for great talent partners to help grow the Agathos AEC platform.
John Buergler,
CEO
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With 30 years of finance and leadership experience in the US Military and world class commercial services firms across the US, John is integrating, scaling and growing a best in class team at Agathos AEC.
After graduating from West Point, John served as a Company Commander and Staff Officer in Army Attack Aviation in the US and overseas.
John joined GE’s Financial Management Program and gained experience across multiple media and commercial services businesses in NYC & Texas.
At Bloomberg and Univision, John served as divisional CFO with responsibility for Growth initiatives and other key operating segments of the business.
Prior to joining Agathos AEC, John was the CFO of UnitedMasters - a a16z/Google/Apple backed artists & brand services company supporting creators in 100+ countries globally. While at UnitedMasters he oversaw the Finance, Legal, People, Facilities and IT functions.
Daniel Timm,
CFO
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Dan has 25+ years of finance, accounting, operations, and strategy experience; in which he oversaw the annual corporate budgeting processes at MicroStrategy and FTI Consulting, helped guide the turnaround and growth of 3 professional services divisions at CPA Global, led the Americas Finance Team for Coffey International, and helped build the Strategy and Transformation Team for FTI Consulting.
Most recently, Dan’s focus has been supporting small to medium sized organizations through the buy-side and sell-side M&A process from diligence, to quality of earnings, and business integration.
Dan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, passed the Certified Public Accounting Exam, and earned a Masters of Business Administration from the George Washington University.
He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Irene and their son.
Ian Adelson,
Platform Business Development Leader
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Ian is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Hunter Forest Capital Partners and serves as the Platform Leader for new partners on the Agathos AEC platform.
Ian spent the first ten years of his career as an institutional investor, including the $6B hedge fund Kingdon Capital, Societe Generale’s fixed income proprietary trading desk with a $120B portfolio and the $1B private equity firm Atlas Merchant Capital.
Most recently, Mr. Adelson worked in M&A and Strategy for UES, which was named the #1 firm on the Zweig Group Hot List for fastest growing firms in the Engineering & Construction industry in 2022 and 2023. UES was listed as #36 on ENR’s 2023 Top 500 design firms.
Previously, Ian worked in M&A for Marcus & Millichap, a publicly traded real estate services company.
Ian obtained a Masters in Applied Mathematics from New York University, a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelors in Mathematics and Computer Science from Emory University.
He lives in Parkland, Florida with his wife Courtney and their two children.
Partner Criteria
Through long-term partnerships or acquisitions Agathos AEC offers flexible paths for firms that share our values and are ready for their next phase of growth.
Firm Size
$500K–$5M in ongoing EBITDA with exceptions for larger firms where merited
Type
Architecture, Structural, Civil, & MEP Engineering Design Firms, & Other Specialty Design Services
Focus
Education, municipal, commercial, infrastructure & industrial markets
Geography
United States
A Partnership Built Around You
acquisition by Agathos AEC
Every Agathos AEC partnership begins with shared goals and values. We don’t pursue growth at the expense of culture, leadership, or long-term sustainability, and we won’t move forward unless there is true alignment on where the business is headed.
We recognize that founders and leadership teams have different goals for themselves, their people, and their legacy.
Our partnership structures are intentionally flexible, allowing us to move efficiently while tailoring each transaction to what matters most to you.
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Typically, to ensure that incentives are aligned between buyer and seller, we will offer a combination of all of the following components:
Cash at close
An earnout over two years, mutually agreed between buyer and seller and based on the growth projections you’ve provided on your business.
A seller finance note, with interest - that is payable at a fixed future date.
Equity in the Agathos AEC platform - ensuring alignment from all teams with one currency.
Partnership starts with alignment
Whether you’re a founder looking for a larger role within a bigger platform or a gradual transition from leadership, Agathos AEC creates a path for sustainable growth for your business, your team, and your legacy.
Contact Agathos AEC to explore whether our platform, values, and growth approach align with your firm’s future.