Boston, MA – Consensus, a leading boutique investment bank focused on the modern consumer economy, announces the formation of Axcelerate, an initiative dedicated to next-generation brands.

In recognition of the continued impact of digital-first brands on the consumer sector, and in an effort to best-serve the founders scaling these businesses, Consensus announced the rebranding of its industry leading emerging consumer investment banking practice as Axcelerate by Consensus. Patrick O’Quinn, who has led Consensus’s activities in the emerging consumer sector since 2015, will helm Axcelerate, assisted by other members of the Consensus team. Additionally, Consensus announced that it has hired Abigail Hitchcock, formerly of Silicon Valley Bank, as an additional full-time member of the Axcelerate team. Ms. Hitchcock will be located in San Francisco.

Consensus CEO, Michael O’Hara, commented, “In addition to the traditional investment banking and advisory services we offer, many emerging consumer brands require specialized skillsets and a different set of investor and strategic contacts. By creating a discrete group under the Axcelerate brand name, we emphasize our commitment to emerging brands and the entrepreneurs who are powering them. Patrick, Abby and the Axcelerate team look forward to continuing to assist these great entrepreneurs and position themselves to favorably impact the future of our industry.”

About Consensus: Consensus is a boutique investment banking and financial advisory firm focused exclusively on consumer-facing companies. The firm has offices in Boston and New York and throughout the world through its membership in The Terra Alliance (www.terra-alliance.com).

All Securities transacted through Consensus Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.