Maximizing Value When Selling your Company: How Investment Bankers Help

Published on February 10, 2023

As a business owner, you want to get the best possible price for your company when you decide to sell. (I know, this is a large assumption, and there might be other areas of interest like your legacy or employees, but for simplicity, just go with me on this). Maximizing value in the sale of your business is a key concern for many business owners, and working with the right 3rd parties, such as an investment banker can be a valuable way to achieve this goal. Here are some insights from investment bankers on how to maximize value in the M&A process and how they can help:

Start planning early: The earlier you start planning for a potential sale, the more time you will have to position your business for maximum value. This may include identifying and addressing any potential issues or weaknesses, as well as implementing strategies to drive growth. An Investment Banker can review your business and point out areas that a buyer might question or be concerned with. This could give you plenty of time to fix or solve these issues before going out to the market.
Identify the right buyers: It is important to identify the right buyers for your business in order to maximize value. Investment bankers can help you to identify potential buyers and can advise on which buyers are most likely to be a good fit for your business. They can also help to negotiate the terms of the sale to ensure that you receive an ideal price.
Prepare marketing materials: Investment bankers can help you to prepare marketing materials, such as a teaser or confidential information memorandum, that highlight the key strengths and value drivers of your business. These materials can be used to attract potential buyers and can help to drive up competition for your business, which can ultimately lead to a higher sale price.

Conduct a thorough due diligence process: An investment banker can help to manage this, normally exhausting process, ensuring that all relevant information is gathered and reviewed. Allowing you, as the business owner, to focus on the operations of your business…remember that during the sales process you still need to hit the numbers that were in your proforma used for the sale or the buyer might want to alter their original offer.
Consider alternative deal structures: There are many different deal structures that can be used in an M&A transaction, and investment bankers can help you to explore different options to determine the structure that will maximize value for your business. For example, earn-outs or contingent payments may be used to bridge the gap between the buyer's and seller's expectations on price.
Manage the negotiation process: Investment bankers are skilled negotiators and can help to manage the negotiation process to ensure that the interests of both parties are protected. They can help to negotiate the terms of the sale and can work with legal counsel to draft and review the necessary documents.

Overall, maximizing value in the M&A process requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the market. Investment bankers can provide valuable expertise and support to help you achieve your goals and ensure that you receive a fair price for your business. If you are considering selling your business, it may be worth considering whether working with an investment banker could be a good fit for your needs.

*** The content is not intended to provide legal, financial or M&A advice. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for your convenience. Please seek the services of an M&A professional(s) before entering into any M&A transaction. ***

For More Information

Shawn Flynn is a Principal at Global Capital Markets, a premier middle-market investment bank with a global presence. Shawn has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and secondaries. He speaks Mandarin and is the host of the award-winning Podcast The Silicon Valley Podcast. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Shawn Flynn, Principal SF@GlobalCapitalMarkets.com

Tel (415) 578-1445 Ext. 4

About Global Capital

As a middle market investment banking boutique, Global Capital provides mergers and acquisition advisory services, access to corporate debt and equity capital, and strategic advisory services to successful middle market companies. For over twenty five years, our team has offered companies a unique blend of sophisticated financial expertise and access to the global marketplace of buyers, sellers and financiers.

Securities offered through GCMI Securities Corp., member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Global Capital Markets. Please reference GCMI Securities Corp. and its team at BrokerCheck.FINRA.org