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Economic Outlook: Preparing Middle Market Companies for 2025

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2025 is going to be an exciting year for middle market companies. The global economy is expected to continue chugging along, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) latest Economic Outlook. Not only is global growth projected to be 3.3% in their 2025 economic forecast, up from 3.2% in 2024, but 2026 looks like it will continue as well – projections of 3.3% global growth in the year after.
The biggest question going into 2024 was if inflation was going to be tamed, and it was undoubtedly on the way down – along with interest rates last year. Inflation is expected to remain, but in the OECD, it is projected to be a reasonable 3.8% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026. Compared to the 5.4% in 2024, that’s a sigh of relief for business owners. For mid-sized companies, these global economic trends for 2025 mean more strategic planning and proactive adaptation if you want to remain competitive.

Of course, there will always be some economic challenges for mid-sized companies. Costs are still rising, the regulatory process is complex, and the labor market can be difficult to navigate efficiently.

Practical Steps
There are a few things middle market companies can do to position themselves for success now. Monitoring global economic trends in 2025 and staying attuned to sector-specific insights will help. Investing in technology and building out a digital transformation is another huge opportunity. And to do all of these, it’s an exciting opportunity to leverage expert advisory services like those offered by D. Boral Capital Investment Banking. You will want tailored strategies to get through uncertainties and capitalize on opportunities. They can help plan and execute middle market growth strategies to help your business thrive.

Conclusion
There is plenty going on in 2025 for middle market companies, both in terms of opportunities and risks. Preparation, adaptability, and expert guidance are the keys to overcoming economic challenges for mid-sized companies and achieving sustainable growth. With a proven track record, D. Boral Capital Investment Banking can offer tailored solutions to help your business in this environment.

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Ryan J. Whalen

General Counsel

Ryan J. Whalen has been the General Counsel of D. Boral Capital since January of 2023, previously serving as Deputy General Counsel & Head of Litigation at D. Boral Capital, since November of 2021.

Prior to joining D. Boral Capital, Ryan spent over two decades as a litigator representing clients faced with complex business disputes. His experience includes handling securities litigation, financial disputes, corporate governance/director and officer litigation, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, professional malpractice, employment law, and whistle-blower claims. Ryan also has experience in the Financial Services industry representing investment banks, hedge funds, public companies, and investors. Most recently, Ryan was a Partner at Gusrae Kaplan Nusbaum PLLC. Law, and prior to that, he was a Partner at Brown & Whalen, P.C.

Ryan holds his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.

David W. Boral

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

David W. Boral is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of D. Boral Capital.

Prior to D. Boral Capital, David held several leadership positions in the Investment Banking and Capital Markets industry. His 16 years of expertise spans both public and private transactions, including IPOs, Secondaries/Follow-On Offerings, SPACs, PIPEs, Reverse Mergers, M&A, Bankruptcy/Restructurings, Cross Listings, and other private and public offerings, in the US and abroad. Most recently, David was Co-Head of Investment Banking & Managing Director at Aegis Capital Corp, and prior to that, he was a Director of Investment Banking, at Maxim Group.

In addition to his work at D. Boral Capital, David is dedicated to improving the world around him, specifically the lives of children and veterans. He currently serves on the advisory board for Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare, housing, and other support services to HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa and India. Additionally, David serves on the board for Lifeline Humanitarian Organization, which was founded by Princess Katherine, to reduce and relieve the suffering of physically and mentally disabled children, orphans, and the elderly, as well as to improve medical facilities in Serbia. He also partners with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Heroes Among Us, and Project Rousseau, through corporate sponsorships.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University.

Stephanie (Mengjie) Hu

Co-Head of Investment Banking

Stephanie (Mengjie) Hu has been the Head of Asia at D. Boral Capital since May of 2023, previously serving as Vice President, Asia Investment Banking at D. Boral Capital, since November of 2021.

Stephanie has over 9 years of Investment Banking and Financial Services experience. She has completed over 100 transactions across a wide range of industries, representing over $3.5 billion in aggregate value, and has participated in multiple product offerings including IPOs, Follow-Ons/Secondaries, PIPEs, Private Placement, Uplistings (Re-IPO), Reverse Mergers, Registered Directs, CMPOs, ATMs, SPACs and M&As. Her focus is primarily on serving the financial needs of Asian emerging growth and middle-market companies in a variety of industries.

Stephanie holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Rochester, and she is bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Gaurav Verma

Co-Head of Investment Banking

Gaurav Verma has been covering the Technology, Media, and Telecom sector for over 10 years, and has executed over 100 billion in transactions encompassing sell-side and buy-side M&A, IPOs, SPACs, equity offerings, converts, high yield and investment-grade financings. Mr. Verma has advised C-Suite executive teams on M&A assignments, business development opportunities, growth strategies, and capital allocation policies.

Prior to joining D. Boral Capital, Gaurav was a Director at Nomura, spearheading TMT coverage efforts, and previously, was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, within their TMT Investment Banking Group.

Gaurav received his MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the NYU Stern School of Business and BS in Computer Science and Economics from Rutgers University.

Jared S. Merlin

Chief Compliance Officer

Jared S. Merlin has been the Chief Compliance Officer at D. Boral Capital since November of 2022.

Prior to joining D. Boral Capital, Jared spent nine years as a Managing Director at Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, serving as the Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Capital Markets Compliance. Jared has over two decades of Compliance experience, providing regulatory advice and oversight to investment banks and broker dealers. Prior to Jared’s tenure at Credit Agricole, Jared held various positions in the Compliance Departments of Knight Capital Americas LLC, and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Jared holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Phil Wiederlight

Chief Operating Officer

Phil Wiederlight has been the Chief Operating Officer since November 2023, previously serving as Head of Syndicate, Equity Capital Markets, at D. Boral Capital, since May of 2023.

Phil has spent 15 years in Financial Services, where he has held multiple leadership positions at GoldenTree Asset Management, Sculptor Capital, and JP Morgan. He has completed numerous Capital Markets transactions, which have accounted for several billions of dollars, and has participated in multiple product offerings including IPOs, Follow-Ons/Secondaries, PIPEs, Private Placements, Uplistings (Re-IPO), Reverse Mergers, Registered Directs, CMPOs, ATMs, and SPACs. His experience also includes Cash and Position Reconciliations, Private Equity Structured Products, Trade Settlements, Crypto Settlements, Account Setups, Expense Management, Risk Reporting, and Fund Accounting. Phil has also managed numerous service provider and third-party relationships, which has helped streamline processes and improve internal efficiencies.

Phil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami.

Sharad Agrawal

Chief Technology Officer

Sharad Agrawal has been Chief Technology Officer at D. Boral Capital since May of 2023.

Prior to joining D. Boral Capital, Sharad worked in Private Equity in a technology leadership capacity, to improve infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology operations. Sharad was also Chief Technology Officer at Redwood Capital Management, and prior to that, was Global Head of Information Technology at Eagle Investment Solutions, where he was responsible for all firmwide technology efforts globally. His duties included helping develop custom applications and strategy, while leading compliance, data, digital, engineering, and cloud initiatives.

Sharad will be pursuing an Executive Education-Chief Technology Officer program at University of Pennsylvania beginning Winter 2024.

Ben Reed

Head of Wealth Management

Ben has over a decade of experience in the retail markets, focusing on emerging growth, small, and middle market companies in biotechnology, healthcare, technology, and energy.

Throughout his career, he has helped raise capital for numerous IPOs, secondary offerings, PIPES, and SPACs. He currently holds his series 7, 24, 63, 65, and Insurance Licenses.

He graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and remains an avid Wildcats fan.