You want to exit in the next few years
Whether for reasons of age or health, or because a new chapter of life is beginning: we plan the sale so that price, timing and your role afterwards match your goals.
Service · Sell-sideSell your business.
Sell your business.
At the right price, to the right buyer.
We guide owners of mid-sized companies through the entire sale process: from the first indication of value and discreet outreach to selected buyers through to signing before the notary.
- 6 to 12 monthstypical time to closing
- Multiple biddersin structured competition
- NDA firstyour identity stays protected
Starting point
What matters when selling
- Competitionseveral bidders instead of one interested party
- Termsprice, warranties and transition considered together
- Reliefyou run the company, we run the process
For most owners, selling their business is a once-in-a-lifetime decision, often after decades of building it up. Buyers, on the other hand, buy regularly, have experienced advisers at their side and know every lever in a negotiation. Our job is to redress this imbalance.
The price is not set in the valuation but in competition. If you only talk to one interested party, you negotiate without an alternative. If you approach several qualified buyers in parallel and in a structured way, you create comparability and negotiating power. The terms are just as important: the purchase price mechanism, warranties, earn-out and your role after the sale often determine the outcome more than the headline figure.
At the same time, your company has to keep running during the process. That is why we take over coordination, prepare each phase and keep you free for day-to-day business.
What you get
What we take care of
- 01
Indication of value
Adjusted figures and a market-based range before you speak to buyers.
- 02
Sale documents
Anonymous teaser, information memorandum and financial model of buyer-grade quality.
- 03
Buyer list
Strategic buyers, financial investors and family offices, carefully selected.
- 04
Data room
Structured preparation for due diligence, so there are no surprises.
- 05
Negotiation
Making offers comparable and negotiating the purchase price mechanism, earn-out and warranties.
- 06
Closing
Coordination with lawyers, tax advisers and the notary through to handover.
Process
How we work
- 1Analysis and valuation2 to 4 weeks
Clarify goals, adjust the figures, assess value realistically.
- 2Preparation4 to 8 weeks
Teaser, memorandum, financial model and data room.
- 3Discreet outreach6 to 10 weeks
Long list and short list, NDA, indicative offers.
- 4Negotiation and due diligence8 to 14 weeks
Letter of intent, review by the buyer, purchase agreement.
- 5Signing and closing2 to 8 weeks
Signature, payment of the purchase price, orderly handover.
Challenges
Typical hurdles and our answer
The value is unclear
We adjust the figures for owner salary and one-off effects and derive a market-based range before the first buyer is approached.
The company depends heavily on the owner
We show buyers how knowledge, customer relationships and leadership will be transferred, and structure a suitable transition period.
Confidentiality is crucial
An anonymous teaser, a confidentiality agreement before any details and a deliberately small circle of people involved protect employees, customers and suppliers.
Offers are hard to compare
We translate different structures into comparable values: fixed purchase price, earn-out, vendor loan, debt and working capital.
Who it is for
Who this service is for
We work on a small number of mandates at a time. Each one is led personally, from the first conversation to closing.
You want to sell your shares
If co-shareholders have different goals or one shareholder wants to leave, we find buyers for individual stakes or the whole company and take pre-emption rights and consent requirements into account.
You are looking for a growth partner
A partial sale to a strategic buyer or investor can bring capital, market access and know-how, while you stay on board and continue to have a say.
The next generation is not taking over
If the children choose different paths, a sale is often the best solution for the company and its employees. We make sure your life's work ends up in good hands.
Preparation
What you should prepare
You do not need everything ready. These points help us give you a well-founded assessment quickly.
Send a request- Annual financial statements and management accounts (BWA) for the last three years
- An overview of customers, suppliers and key contracts
- Organisation chart and key people
- Your personal goals: price, timing, role after the sale
- Open issues such as legal disputes, environmental liabilities or tax audits
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to sell a business?
Usually 6 to 12 months from the first meeting to closing. Good preparation and complete documentation shorten this considerably.
Will my employees and customers find out about the sale?
Not without your consent. Interested parties first receive an anonymous teaser, and details only after signing a confidentiality agreement.
Why approach several buyers at the same time?
Competition among bidders is the strongest lever for price and terms. With only one interested party, there is no basis for comparison.
Do I have to stay in the business after the sale?
That is a matter for negotiation. A transition period of a few months is often agreed, and longer with earn-out structures.
What does sell-side support cost?
A combination of a monthly or one-off retainer and a success fee that only becomes due on completion is customary. We discuss the specific terms in the initial meeting.
Can I sell only part of my company?
Yes. Partial sales to investors or strategic partners are common, for example to finance growth or to prepare a gradual succession.
Let us talk about your plans.
Confidential, without obligation and personal.
Book a first conversation