M&A: It Doesn’t Have to be an All or Nothing Deal

Buying or selling a company is generally viewed as an absolute event. You either buy or sell all of the business. Or, you don’t buy or sell at all! This scenario is especially true for Sellers who view the decision to sell as an all-or-nothing deal. A meaningful percentage of businesses change hands every day in which the parties become partners as opposed to purely Buyer and Seller. This approach can be a compelling option for Sellers who are not ready to exit but are looking to take chips off the table for various reasons like ease into an exit or retirement, increase personal liquidity or gain support in operating and growing the business. For Buyers, keeping the Seller as a shareholder can be a great way to leverage the Seller’s ongoing passion for the business, relationships with key customers, employees and more. During this session, we will discuss the process and best practices for structuring this type of transaction and the criteria for deciding whether it might be right for you.