We provide our sell-side advisory services to privately held companies with revenues between $2 million and $200 million. Our business valuation, capital raising and buy-side advisory services are provided to companies of all sizes. We assist companies in all industries including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, construction, business services, distribution and more.

Business valuations are needed for a wide variety of purposes. The IRS requires a business valuation from a qualified, independent business appraiser for determining estate and gift tax, charitable donation deductions and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) among other things. Business valuations are a very useful tool in planning for the sale of a business, whether it is to an outside buyer, the company’s managers, or even a relative of the current owner. In addition, business valuations are useful in litigious situations where the fair market value of the business is in question.

A business valuation typically takes three to five weeks to complete, depending on the size and scope of the business being valued. Every business valuation starts by obtaining necessary financial and legal documents, which the appraiser analyzes for trends and areas requiring further discussion. Once this is completed, the appraiser conducts an interview with the business owner and/or management team in order to gain a better understanding of the company, its business model and any issues surrounding the financial statements. The appraiser utilizes the information gained from the interview to perform financial statement analysis and valuation analysis. After the appraiser has come to an opinion of value for the company, the appraiser will draft the valuation report, which thoroughly documents the valuation methodologies and related analysis used to derive the opinion of value. For more details on the business valuation process go to our business valuation process page.

We understand that every company is different, and thus every sales process must be different. We start every engagement by working with you to determine what the appropriate sales process should be given your business and strategic goals. This is done as part of our six step approach, which helps streamline the sales process, ensuring you the best possible results.

The six step approach starts with a business valuation. We then work with you to determine the appropriate sales process and design an effective marketing plan. After the sales process is established we create the necessary marketing materials and reach out to the prospective buyers that we identified. Initial meetings between you and the selected buyers will take place, after which letters of intent will be requested. We will review all offers with you and determine a negotiation strategy to maximize your value. Once we have selected the buyer and signed the letter of intent, we will manage the due diligence process for you, where the buyer confirms the information you and your management team have provided to them. Once due diligence is complete, we work with your attorney and the buyer’s attorney to create the closing documents and complete the sale of the company.

It typically takes six to twelve months to sell a business, but even longer to prepare for the sale. You should start planning for the sale of your business at least two years from the time you want to sell. The planning process should start with a business valuation and advice from an established mergers and acquisitions intermediary.

We work with you to design a sales process that satisfies your required level of confidentiality. Our proprietary buyer management software tracks buyers throughout the sales process, making it easy to know which buyers have signed a confidentiality agreement and been qualified and which have not. In addition, we create a marketing DVD which replaces the initial meeting between you and the buyer, reducing the number of buyer meetings and tours of your facilities. This DVD also allows us to control the information provided to the buyer, ensuring confidentiality is maintained.

A competitive process is the result of having multiple buyers compete simultaneously for your company. By utilizing the competition between buyers we are able to obtain the best price for your company while at the same time providing you options so that you can choose how you want to exit the business.

There are numerous types of capital that can be effectively utilized to grow your business. The right type of capital for your company depends on the reasons you need the capital and your company’s optimal capital structure. The most expensive type of capital is equity capital, which is typically obtained from outside investors who desire a minority equity stake in your company. Senior debt is also available from traditional banks, as well as from non-traditional investment firms. Often senior debt is collateralized with the company’s assets. Mezzanine (also known as subordinated debt) is another financing option, which is typically provided by non-traditional investment firms and will cost more than senior debt. There are a number of variations within these different categories of capital; there are also many other types of capital. If you would like to discuss your capital requirements please contact us.

Fairness opinions are often needed to protect a company’s board of directors when acquiring another business or when selling a business segment or even an entire company. Fairness opinions are obtained by a board of directors to ensure they have performed their fiduciary duty to the company’s shareholders. Fairness opinions are also provided to business owners or management teams who have been presented with an offer for their company and want to determine that the offer is fair to the company’s shareholders. It is critical that the financial advisor rendering the fairness opinion is qualified, independent and free of any conflicts of interest.

Our professionals can help you plan for the eventual sale of your business by increasing its profitability and value.  The first step is to understand its value by completing a business appraisal. This tool will assess the company’s operations, risks associated with the value of your business and ways to increase the value. If necessary, our professionals will assist in implementing these value increasing strategies. We also help companies increase their value by growing through additional capital or acquisitions.