About Highlands Capital Advisors
Highlands Capital Advisors is an independent investment banking firm focused on helping owners, operators, and corporate clients navigate M&A transactions and strategic growth. We combine deep industry expertise with the tailored, relationship-driven approach, guiding clients through M&A processes, capital raises, and strategic initiatives.
What we do:
Capabilities and Industries
Empowering businesses with tailored M&A, Capital Raise, and Advisory services across key growth industries.
Capabilities
Financial Advisory and Consulting
We deliver strategic financial guidance, valuation analysis, and consulting services to help clients make informed decisions and maximize enterprise value.
M&A Advisory
We provide comprehensive sellside and buyside advisory services, helping clients achieve successful exits or strategic acquisitions that drive long-term value.
Capital Raising
We support companies in raising equity and debt capital to accelerate growth, fund acquisitions, or strengthen their balance sheets.
IT Services
Empowering technology and IT services companies to scale, innovate, and transform through strategic transactions and capital solutions.
Human Capital Management
Advising firms focused on talent, workforce, and HR services to execute growth strategies and optimize shareholder value.
Industries
Marketing Services
Marketing Services
Supporting agencies and marketing service providers in strategic partnerships, mergers, and capital initiatives to stay competitive in a dynamic market.
Who we are
Our team
A diverse group of experienced professionals with backgrounds in investment banking, corporate finance, and strategic advisory. We bring deep sector knowledge and technical expertise to every engagement.
Our approach
We believe in a tailored, hands-on strategy for each client. From initial planning to final execution, we work closely to ensure each solution is customized and aligned with your goals.
Our commitment
Trust, integrity, and long-term relationships are at the core of everything we do. We see ourselves not just as advisors, but as true partners invested in your growth and success.
Meet the Team
Managing Director and Founder
Kristina Sergueeva
Kristina Sergueeva is a Managing Director and Founder at Highlands Capital Advisors ("HCap"). Kristina drives the firm’s vision, leveraging her deep industry knowledge to guide clients through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions and strategic advisory processes.
Before founding Highlands Capital Advisors, Kristina was a director at Houlihan Lokey, where she was responsible for deal sourcing and execution of M&A transactions in the Digital Engineering and Enterprise Applications sectors. Kristina began her career at 7 Mile Advisors, a Charlotte-based lower mid-market investment banking firm.
During her 15+ year career in investment banking, Kristina completed more than 60 transactions across the IT services industry, SaaS, and professional services.
Associate
Emil Zhumagulov
Emil Zhumagulov is an Investment Banking Analyst at Highlands Capital Advisors, where he supports M&A transaction execution across IT services sector.
Prior to joining Highlands Capital Advisors, Emil worked at Mesirow, a middle-market investment bank based in Chicago. Previously, he worked in audit at KPMG's Financial Institutions Group as well as in credit underwriting at BMO US.
Emil holds an M.S. in Quantitative Finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and a B.S. in Finance from Cornerstone University.
Analyst
Coyle Garcia
Coyle Garcia is an Analyst at Highlands Capital Advisors, where he supports the firm’s advisory work through conducting industry and company research using tools such as Capital IQ, Bloomberg, IBISWorld.
Coyle is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at East Carolina University and is interested in pursuing a career in middle-market M&A investment banking.
