What to Consider When Selling Your Middle Market Company

About the Episode

Exit options – what are your options? Understanding your own goals and the goals of potential buyers is key to achieving a successful sale of your middle market company. Buyer Jude David offers insights into the most common exit options, the differences between financial and strategic buyers, questions to consider in a self-inventory before preparing for the sale, and considerations for deal structure and leveraging M&A expertise to ultimately close your transaction.

“The more you are able to make your business look like what a buyer wants to buy, the more buyers you will attract.”

Jude David

What You’ll Learn

  • Understand your exit goals and options: Whether it’s a full sale, partial sale, or transitioning to employee ownership, knowing your objectives is crucial for finding the right buyer.
  • Prepare your business for sale: Taking steps to improve operations, management, and financial health can make your business more attractive to potential buyers and maximize its value.
  • Evaluate both financial and strategic buyers: Each type of buyer has unique considerations, and the right fit depends on your goals and the industry dynamics.
  • Deal structure is important: Factors like equity rollover, earnouts, and debt financing can significantly impact the final outcome of a transaction.

Topics Covered

What are the high-level exit options for middle-market entrepreneurs? [1:30]
How does an ESOP work? Who does this exit strategy benefit, and what are the challenges? [7:35] 
How do family offices, independent sponsors, and search funds fit into a financial buyer pool? [11:25]
Is it possible to anticipate the most likely exit option before going to market? [18:18]
How does the due diligence process vary for financial buyers versus strategic buyers? [21:54]
How can preparing a company for sale impact who will ultimately buy the business? [30:15]
Why is a 90-day target to complete a closing an ideal timeframe? [36:10]

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Meet Our Guest

Jude David

Jude David

Vice President Mergers & Acquisitions, Final Ascent | Lafayette, LA USA

Jude David is Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions with Final Ascent and Chief Executive Officer of Kin Capital Partners, a small private equity group that focuses on acquiring manufacturing and building material businesses. Jude practiced as a corporate M&A attorney for nearly a decade and transitioned into advisory brokerage with a specialty in the art of the acquisition.

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