We lead mergers, acquisitions and exits for small and mid-sized companies, from first valuation to signed agreement and integration. These deals are often too small for an investment bank, and full-service law firms make them expensive. We run the transaction ourselves and bring in top law and accounting firms only where they add value, such as legal documents and tax structuring: senior support at a reasonable cost.
What we do
Target selection, or buyer identification for a sale.
Valuation and investor return estimates.
Financial models and pro-forma plans showing merger synergies.
Deal structure, term sheet and purchase agreement, developed with counsel and negotiated.
Due diligence: checklist, coordination and tracking.
Funding strategy for the combined company, cap table and option plan.
Post-merger integration planning.
Exit preparation: the numbers, story and documents a buyer will examine.
When companies call us
An owner plans to sell within one to three years.
An acquisition or merger is on the table and there is no deal team.
A buyer has approached and the owner needs a valuation and a negotiator.
The deal is too small for a bank but too important to do alone.
How we work
A senior partner leads the deal start to finish and coordinates lawyers, accountants and the client's team. Project or monthly hours, billed for the hours used; remote or on-site.
Examples of our work
Structured the acquisition of an established US fashion brand with an original asking price of $125M, bought through an assignment for the benefit of creditors for $2.5M: five-year pro-forma plan, funding needs, integration scenarios, deal structure and tax-structuring coordination with a large accounting firm.
Prepared an insurance-adjusting firm for a sale.
$125B+ of telecom and media M&A in our team's earlier careers.
Questions owners ask
Is my company too small for an investment bank?
Banks are paid a percentage of the deal, so many decline smaller transactions. We work on project or hourly terms, which suit deals that banks pass on.
How long does it take to sell a business?
Typically several months from preparation to closing; clean numbers prepared 12 months ahead shorten the process and improve terms.
What does a buyer look at in due diligence?
Financial statements and their quality, margins and their trend, customer and supplier contracts, legal and tax exposure, and the team.
Do you replace our lawyers and accountants?
No. We coordinate them and use them for the tasks only they should do, which keeps their fees focused.
Can you help with an acquisition, not just a sale?
Yes: target selection, valuation, financing, negotiation and integration.
Related: Fractional CFO · Turnaround & Restructuring · Fundraising, Business Plans & Pitch Decks · Contact us