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About us 

Accent Capital is an independent M&A boutique focused on cross-border transactions involving Portuguese companies and international investors.

A bridge between Portuguese companies and international capital

Accent Capital sits at the heart of every transaction, aligning executives, shareholders, and acquirers to deliver better outcomes. In high-stakes situations where culture, expectations, and execution can shape value, we bring clarity, structure, and momentum to the process.

Combining deep knowledge of the Portuguese market with disciplined execution, we help clients navigate complexity with confidence, ensuring transactions are transparent, efficient, and fully aligned with stakeholder interests.

Every mandate is led with rigor, discretion, and a partnership mindset built for long-term value creation.

Carlos Duarte 
Founder of Accent Capital – Senior M&A Advisor

Carlos Duarte is a mergers and acquisitions specialist with over 25 years of experience in corporate finance and cross-border transactions.

He has built his career within leading financial institutions, including Banque Paribas, Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, and Christie & Co and Eurallia Finance, with experience across Canada, Luxembourg, Spain, France, and Portugal.

This background provides him with a strong understanding of mid-market transactions, particularly in family-owned businesses. He is personally involved in every engagement, bringing a structured, pragmatic, and execution-focused approach, especially in strategic transactions such as business disposals or external growth initiatives.

Through Accent Capital, he supports companies and investors in structuring and executing cross-border transactions, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

Languages: Portuguese, French, Spanish, English

Positioning Portugal as a strategic platform for M&A opportunities, fully aligned with international investors and standards.

A differentiated approach to cross-border M&A

Connecting Portuguese SMEs with international investors



Accent Capital connects standout local opportunities with global capital. With strong reach across France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Benelux region, and North America, the firm brings together deep on-the-ground insight, sharp understanding of investor expectations, and trusted credibility with international buyers.

A focus on mid-market and family-owned businesses



Accent Capital advises executives of mid-market and family-owned businesses on strategic transactions shaped by complex ownership structures and stakeholder dynamics. These situations demand a deep understanding of company history, governance frameworks, and shareholder alignment. The firm combines rigorous analysis with pragmatic execution to help ensure well-managed and successful outcomes.

Institutional rigor with boutique agility



The firm combines methodologies derived from leading financial institutions with the flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability of an independent advisory structure. This enables the execution of complex transactions while remaining closely aligned with client-specific challenges.

Execution-driven, without unnecessary complexity

Accent Capital is distinguished by its commitment to clarity, discretion, and disciplined execution. The firm’s approach is underpinned by rigorous processes, strategic judgment, and consistent senior-level engagement. Its objective is to drive alignment among stakeholders, manage complexity with precision, and deliver successful outcomes with efficiency and professionalism at every stage of a transaction.

Deep knowledge of the Portuguese market



Through a combination of rigorous analytical capabilities and deep on-the-ground experience, Accent Capital has developed a strong understanding of the Portuguese economy’s key sectors, many of which are export-oriented and well positioned for international expansion or consolidation.

An international perspective, fully embedded



Transactions are approached through an international lens, even in purely domestic situations. This enhances counterparty quality, expands strategic alternatives, and ensures execution is aligned with international M&A standards.

Our mission :
To act as a bridge between Portuguese companies and the most relevant international investors, delivering disciplined, senior-led M&A execution. 

Our mission :
Connecting Portugal with the most qualified international players, with senior and controlled M&A execution. 

Our mission :
Connecting Portugal with the most qualified international players, with senior and controlled M&A execution. 

Are you considering an operation?

Are you considering an operation?

Each situation is unique.

Let’s discuss your project

Values

1

Integrity

Clear, consistent, and transparent communication at every stage of the process.

We maintain independent judgment in all situations, without compromise, ensuring that recommendations are always aligned with our clients’ best interests. This includes the ability to challenge decisions when necessary.

This level of integrity builds long-term trust and is essential in transactions where financial, human, and strategic factors are closely intertwined.

2

Proximity

A direct, engaged, and hands-on relationship.

Accent Capital operates with a model of direct involvement and senior oversight. Relationships are built on active listening, a deep understanding of each client’s context, and continuous interaction throughout the process.

This proximity ensures responsiveness, facilitates decision-making, and allows the anticipation and resolution of potential issues.

3

Effectiveness

Pragmatism, agility and speed of execution.

Effectiveness relies on the ability to get to the essentials. Processes are tailored to each situation, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

The analyses are decision-oriented, actions are prioritised, and communication is clear.

This agility allows for a swift reaction to opportunities, adjustment of strategies throughout the process, and maintaining a pace aligned with the demands of investors and leaders.

Speed never compromises quality — it is based on experience and the ability to distinguish what is structural from what is ancillary.

4

Transparency

A clear framework for informed decisions.

Transparency consists of providing leaders with a precise and structured understanding of their situation.

The analyses are based on concrete data, proven methodologies, and a deep understanding of market expectations.

The hypotheses are explicitly stated, the scenarios presented, and the implications of each decision clearly outlined.

This approach allows for the alignment of expectations, avoids misunderstandings, and ensures the quality of interactions with investors.

It thus creates a solid foundation of trust and credibility, essential for the success of an M&A operation, especially in a cross-border context.

1

Integrity

Clear, consistent, and transparent communication at every stage of the process.

We bring independent judgment to every situation, without compromise, ensuring that our advice remains consistently aligned with the best interests of our clients. This includes the resolve to challenge assumptions or decisions when circumstances require.

Such integrity is fundamental to building enduring trust and is indispensable in transactions where financial, human, and strategic considerations are inextricably linked.

2

Proximity

A direct, engaged, and hands-on relationship.

Accent Capital distinguishes itself through direct senior engagement and hands-on oversight at every stage of the process. Our client relationships are founded on attentive listening, a nuanced understanding of each situation, and close, ongoing dialogue throughout the mandate.

This high-touch approach drives responsiveness, sharpens decision-making, and allows us to anticipate and resolve issues with discretion and precision.

3

Effectiveness

Pragmatism, agility and speed of execution.

Effectiveness lies in a disciplined focus on what is truly material. Each process is shaped to the specific circumstances, with unnecessary complexity deliberately excluded.

Analysis is anchored in decision-making, priorities are clearly defined, and communication remains precise and direct.

This agility enables a rapid response to opportunities, a continuous refinement of strategy throughout the process, and an execution tempo fully aligned with the expectations of investors and management teams.

Speed is never pursued at the expense of quality; it is the product of experience, judgment, and a clear understanding of what is fundamental as opposed to merely incidental.

4

Transparency

A clear framework for informed decisions.

Transparency means providing management teams with a clear, disciplined, and fact-based view of their position.

Our assessments are grounded in robust data, tested analytical frameworks, and a thorough understanding of investor expectations and market dynamics.
Key assumptions are explicitly defined, potential scenarios are carefully evaluated, and the strategic, financial, and execution implications of each option are clearly set out.

This approach helps align stakeholder expectations, reduce execution risk, and support constructive, well-informed engagement with investors and counterparties.
In turn, it underpins the credibility and trust required for the successful delivery of an M&A process, particularly in a cross-border environment.