An ESOP lets you sell your business to employees through a tax-advantaged trust. Learn how ESOPs work, the significant tax benefits for S-corps and C-corps, setup costs, valuation requirements, and how to decide if an ESOP is right for your exit.
Roll-ups are the dominant PE value creation strategy in the lower middle market. Learn how they work, what makes a business an attractive platform or add-on, which industries are most active, and what sellers and buyers need to know.
Your data room is your first impression with buyers. Learn what documents to include, how to organize them, when to build it, which VDR platforms to use, and the common mistakes that slow deals and erode seller leverage.
Recurring revenue is the strongest driver of premium valuations. Learn how buyers classify revenue quality, the valuation spread between recurring and transactional revenue, key metrics buyers analyze, and how to build recurring revenue before selling.
Key person dependency is the most common structural risk in founder-led businesses. Learn how buyers evaluate it, the valuation impact, and a practical framework for building organizational resilience before your exit.
Your management team’s performance during due diligence directly affects deal price and closing likelihood. Learn who to involve, what buyers ask, how to rehearse, and the mistakes that kill deals.
Your M&A attorney choice can make or break your deal. Learn what to look for, what it costs ($30K-$100K), when to engage counsel, and the red flags that signal the wrong fit.
Representations and warranties define your post-closing legal exposure as a seller. Learn what they cover, how indemnification caps and baskets work, and when R&W insurance makes sense for your deal.
Employee retention is one of the highest-risk factors in selling a business. Learn when to tell your team, how to structure retention bonuses, and how to manage the emotional dimension of an ownership transition.
Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements are standard in business sales. Learn what is negotiable, what courts enforce, and the common mistakes that cost sellers freedom and money after closing.