How a Business Valuation Helps with a Management Buyout
A business valuation is a critical step in a management buyout (MBO) process, as it helps the management team understand the true worth of the business they are interested in acquiring. A management buyout occurs when a company’s current management team or key employees purchase a significant portion or all of the business from its […]
A Seller’s Experience: The Right M&A Advisor Makes All The Difference
In Episode 3 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen chatted with longtime friend of the firm and former Portage client, Len Hume. Len joined Jim to talk about his experience as a seller interested in finding a buyer who would carry on the legacy he and his wife Annette had […]
M&A Trends: Six-Month Update For 2023
If you follow global M&A news, you may know that larger deals have seen a slowdown these last six months, as rising interest rates and fears of a banking crisis have affected the market. According to data from Dealogic, global M&A deal volume fell by 17% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the […]
Questions To Ask When Hiring An M&A Advisor
When it comes time to sell your business, the right M&A firm can make all the difference. From running a well-organized process, to generating multiple offers, and negotiating the best possible fit for your goals, your advisor needs to bring a mix of transactional skills, resources, and chemistry to the table. These are some questions […]
10 Key Risk Drivers Affecting the Sale of Your Business
If you’re thinking of selling your business in the next 3-5 years, you may want to consider possible risk drivers that could affect the purchase price of your company. Assessing these factors is key for sellers seeking to maximize the value of their business in preparation of a sale. Some of the key risk factors […]
Financial Planning: The Key to a Seller’s Sanity + Success
Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen sat down with Wesley Haynes, Senior Investment Advisor RBC Wealth Management, Parekh-Haynes Group for the second installment of The Selling Successfully Podcast. Jim and Wesley discussed what comprehensive financial planning really means and the role it plays in selling your business and enabling your future. They also stressed the […]
Don’t Sell Yourself (or your business) Short!
Lights, camera, action! Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen kicked off the inaugural episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast with special in-house guest, Portage Partner and Head of Valuations, Ryan Buist. Jim and Ryan candidly captured the need-to-knows and best practices for business owners regarding early planning and maximizing business valuation. Here are the 5 […]
Representation and Warranty Insurance in M&A
When selling your business, you make a set of promises to the buyer. You “represent and warrant” certain facts about the business. Essentially, you’re certifying that you provided accurate information and that there are no known issues pending (e.g., financial, legal, tax, compliance, etc.). If it turns out those promises are false, the buyer has […]
Stay Bonuses Add Value When Selling A Business
We’re selling a business in which a management team member holds a minority equity stake. This critical employee stands to get a small windfall in the sale. On top of that, the seller was telling us she meant to give this employee a nice financial gift as a thank you afterwards. That’s where we pumped […]
Structuring an M&A Deal
Orchestrating an M&A deal involves several key steps, including valuation, documentation, buyer identification, negotiation, and due diligence. Here is a general outline of how to structure an M&A deal: It’s important to note that M&A transactions can be complex and involve many legal, financial, and operational considerations. As a result, it is common for both […]
