Business acquisitions are complex transactions and buyers benefit greatly from the involvement of an experienced, professional intermediary (even when that intermediary represents the seller). When Exit Strategies offers businesses for sale, we help you understand what you are buying and reach the closing table through:
- Screening – We review your (firm’s) financial standing, background and interests. This enables us to quickly assess fit and gain commitment to the process. It is important to recognize that sellers, lenders, landlords and others require this same information. With years of M&A experience as our guide, we save buyers (and sellers) lots of time.
- Confidentiality – We require that you sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Maintaining confidentiality in business acquisitions is in everyone’s best interest, including yours.
- Deal Books – We present you with a detailed Confidential Business Review (CBR) that lays out important facts and figures regarding the business. This may include history, normalized financial statements, customer data, operations, personnel, facilities, assets, key relationships, growth opportunities, industry, competition, and more.
- Meet the Seller – Once you absorb the CBR information and we answer your questions, it is usually time to meet the owner and tour the facility. We make introductions and facilitate productive discussions. It is common that such meetings occur outside business hours to avoid premature disclosure to employees and customers.
- Offers & Negotiations – We facilitate negotiations. When applicable, we assist in drafting a letter of intent or purchase offer with appropriate contingencies. We will convey an acceptance or counter offer from the seller. In California, brokers can legally represent just the seller, or you and the seller, and we provide a disclosure regarding agency relationships and confirm our relationship before an offer is made.
- Due Diligence – In-depth due diligence usually starts when an offer is accepted. We organize and facilitate this process. We coordinate requests, compile documents and assist in arranging inspections and meetings. You will probably need specialist advisors to help with your investigations. Once your concerns are resolved, the transaction proceeds to closing.
- Financing – If outside financing is required, we recommend and/or liaise with debt and equity capital sources. Our knowledge of their needs, and what they can and can’t do, increases your chance of success and saves time and stress.
- Transaction Team – We work closely with your accountant, attorney and other professional advisors. We have relationships with excellent transaction attorneys and accountants, and can recommend specialists when needed.
- Closing Facilitation – Exit Strategies attends to numerous details and quarterbacks numerous activities to keep the process moving, reach the closing table, and smoothly transfer ownership.
Additional Buyer Services
Priority Notice — Register with Exit Strategies to receive priority notice of new acquisition opportunities as we bring them to market.
Strategic Acquisition Search — Often, the right business isn’t on the market when you're ready to aquire. What can you do? The answer — an Acquisition Search.
How it works: We help you develop an effective acquisition strategy; identify, approach and screen companies that meet your criteria; and guide you through the entire transaction. We start with an in depth inventory of your objectives, management and financial capabilities, strengths and strategic opportunities. Based on your criteria, we research and develop a list of target companies and conduct a systematic acquisition search process. We facilitate discovery, value analysis, dealmaking, due diligence and financing. A typical goal is to identify 3 or more viable acquisition candidates for your consideration within 60-90 days and close a deal shortly thereafter.
Intermediary Representing Buyer and Seller — Let’s say you and a seller already know each other, and need help negotiating a win-win deal. Exit Strategies can facilitate the acquisition/sale process, preserve your relationship with the seller, and help you achieve a more seamless management transfer.
Independent Business Valuations — If you are acquiring a business directly from an owner or through another broker, Exit Strategies can appraise the business for you; which may support your decision to purchase, help you negotiate, or save you from making a costly mistake.
Post-Acquisition Integration — Buyers maximize return on investment by avoiding common post-acquisition integration mistakes and realizing the synergistic benefits they anticipated. Having been involved in many mergers and acquisitions, both as principals and intermediaries, Exit Strategies can coach you through the critical 3-12 month period after closing.
We invite you to contact us to discuss your business acquisition objectives and how Exit Strategies can help.
