New non-SBA program offers $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established small businesses.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LoanBud today announced the launch of LoanBud Acquire™, a new non-SBA business acquisition financing program offering $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established, cash-flowing small businesses.

LoanBud created the program around a problem it sees in the market every day: smaller business acquisitions can be disproportionately difficult to finance. Many lenders prioritize larger credits, while smaller transactions may not fit every SBA or conventional lending program. That can leave qualified buyers and viable businesses with fewer financing paths, even when the underlying transaction makes sense.

“A $250,000 acquisition matters just as much to the buyer, the seller and the employees as a multimillion-dollar transaction,” said Burke Purcell, Founder and CEO of LoanBud. “But smaller acquisitions can be harder to finance because many lenders tend to prioritize larger transactions. LoanBud Acquire™ gives qualified buyers another path to ownership and helps more good Main Street businesses continue under a new owner.”

LoanBud Acquire™ complements LoanBud’s existing SBA business acquisition financing capabilities. By adding a non-SBA option, LoanBud can evaluate an acquisition across multiple potential financing paths rather than trying to fit every transaction into a single program.

That flexibility can be especially important in a business sale, where financing uncertainty creates friction for the buyer, seller and broker. Earlier clarity on whether a transaction has a viable financing path can help all parties move forward with greater confidence.

LoanBud Acquire™ program highlights include:

$100,000 to $350,000 in financingMinimum 15% buyer equity contributionDesigned for acquisitions of established, cash-flowing businessesNo real estate collateral requirementFinancing available for eligible business purchase costs and approved transaction expensesTargeted closing timeline of less than 30 days for qualified transactions

“We do not believe every acquisition should be forced into one financing box,” Purcell said. “Our job is to look at the transaction, identify the most realistic financing path and help the buyer, seller and broker get to a clear answer faster. LoanBud Acquire™ gives us another way to do that for smaller Main Street transactions.”

LoanBud Acquire™ is available now. Qualified buyers and business brokers can learn more at LoanBud.com or apply at apply.loanbud.com.

About LoanBud

LoanBud helps existing business owners access growth capital and helps entrepreneurs finance business acquisitions. By combining technology, experienced lending professionals and a nationwide network of lending partners, LoanBud provides access to SBA and conventional financing for acquisitions, growth, real estate, debt refinancing and working capital. LoanBud is focused on making small business financing faster, clearer and easier to navigate.

For more information, visit LoanBud.com.

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SOURCE LoanBud

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property “Litigation Department of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm’s campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department’s recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

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SOURCE McKool Smith

Experienced project management and transformation leader joins firm to strengthen client relationships and support continued growth across the West Coast.

HOUSTON, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Athenian Group, a leading boutique consulting firm specializing in program management and business transformation, announced that Monique Jackson has joined the firm as Director, Client Solutions, West Coast Lead.

In her new role, Jackson will help lead Athenian Group’s client solutions efforts across the West Coast, strengthening relationships with existing clients while identifying opportunities to expand the firm’s impact throughout the region. Athenian currently serves 20 clients across the West Coast and has worked with organizations in the region for more than eight years, providing strategic guidance and hands-on support across complex programs and transformation initiatives. A recent highlight in Athenian’s West Coast portfolio is their LA County 2028 Games Coordination Platform, designed to serve as a centralized system for coordinating and tracking departmental readiness activities.

Jackson brings more than 15 years of experience leading enterprise transformations for public agencies, Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations. Her background spans project and program management, business transformation, operational excellence, digital transformation, project governance and organizational change management.

Throughout her career, Jackson has helped organizations translate strategic priorities into actionable programs, establishing project management offices, improving operational processes and leading large-scale transformation initiatives. Her experience includes work across government, transportation, healthcare, life sciences, retail and other complex organizational environments.

Prior to joining Athenian Group, Jackson founded and led L&F Project Management, where she managed a diverse portfolio of engagements spanning digital transformation, operational improvement, construction program support, change leadership and workforce development. Earlier in her career, she held roles with leading consulting organizations including Accenture and PwC.

“Monique brings the combination of strategic thinking, disciplined execution and relationship-building that is essential to the way we serve our clients,” said Bobby Dixon, President and CEO of Athenian Group. “The West Coast has been an important part of Athenian’s story for almost a decade, and as our work in the region continues to grow, Monique will play an integral role in ensuring we remain closely connected to our clients, understand their evolving needs and continue delivering the sustainable results they expect from our team.”

Jackson’s experience is particularly well aligned with Athenian Group’s collaborative approach to consulting. Throughout her career, she has worked with executive leaders and cross-functional teams to navigate complex initiatives, build stakeholder alignment and create governance structures that support measurable, sustainable outcomes.

“I am excited to join Athenian Group and contribute to a firm with such a strong commitment to both its clients and the communities it serves,” Jackson said.

Jackson is based in Los Angeles and holds a master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

About Athenian Group
Athenian Group is a Houston-based boutique consulting firm operating at the intersection of infrastructure, technology-driven innovation and business integration. Specializing in program management and business transformation, Athenian partners with organizations to navigate complex initiatives, strengthen operations and create sustainable change. The firm works with a diverse portfolio of private-sector organizations and government entities, including municipalities, counties, state agencies and special districts. As a leading minority-owned consulting firm, Athenian combines cross-industry best practices, experienced senior leadership and a highly collaborative approach to develop customized solutions aligned with each client’s unique challenges, culture and strategic objectives.

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SOURCE Athenian Group