General FAQ's
How does the M&A Forum work?
The M&A Forum allows sellers to post blind profiles of their companies for buyers to search and review. If a buyer wants to contact a seller based on what they have seen in the profile, they execute a NDA. The site then notifies the seller that the buyer wants to make contact. The seller can review the buyer profile before making the decision to counter sign the NDA and agree to the introduction. The buyer is provided the seller contact data and the two companies make contact to discuss a possible transaction.
How can I be sure no one will recognize my company from the profile?
Our team will review your profile and recommend changes if needed to protect your company identity.
Is M&A Forum an exclusive service? Can I look for buyers elsewhere while my profile is on M&A Forum?
M&A Forum is not an exclusive service. You can look for buyers through other means at the same time you are using M&A Forum.
Will M&A Forum attend my buyer meetings and negotiate my transaction?
M&A Forum is primarily an online exchange and finding service. Finding the right Buyer is the most important part of a deal. We will assist in developing your profile and find you qualified buyers. If you want M&A Forum to provide additional services, we have a menu of offerings to select from so that you can only pay for what you use. Contact Us to learn about our additional services.
What is the cost to participate in M&A Forum?
There is a fee for Sellers to list their company profile on M&A Forum. The fee is $500 for a 6 month listing. If the Seller closes a transaction with a buyer met through M&A Forum, there is a Finders Fee of up to 5% of the transaction value depending on the size of the deal.
How long does it take to sell a company?
The length of time will vary with the size, financial strength and business focus of the parties. You should plan on a six to nine month deal process with some being completed in four months or less and a few running longer.
What is my company worth?
See our Valuation page for more information on what companies are worth.
Why should I consider selling my business now?
Company valuations in the IT sector are currently at the highest level in the last two years therefore, now may be a good time to maximize the value of your company. The M&A market is constantly changing and with recent challenges in the credit markets, there is no certainty how long this favorable environment will continue.
My business is doing very well and I don't need to sell. Why should I sell it now?
Selling your business is a personal decision based on your individual financial objectives however, since valuations are typically based on a multiple of trailing 12 month EBITDA, the best time to sell is when your company is performing well. Currently the demand for small to mid-size companies remains strong, however it can change at any time. You should strongly consider leveraging the current M&A environment to obtain a good value for your company. All too frequently we hear about owners who waited to sell because they thought the business would perform even better and then something happened that caused a decline in performance and made it even harder to sell.
I am not ready to retire, why should I sell?
Most business owners have a large percentage of their net worth tied up in their company. Selling your business allows you to take some equity out of the business so you can diversify your assets. In addition, many buyers prefer the owner continue to run the acquired business for some period of time, so often you won't have to retire. In other cases, sellers use proceeds from the sale of their businesses to help finance new ventures.
Why should I use the M&A Forum to sell my IT sector business?
The M&A Forum is a more efficient and cost-effective way to sell your IT company.
- The M&A Forum is more efficient because it is the only M&A venue designed exclusively for IT sector buyers and sellers, allowing you to easily and confidentially market your company to a wide range of qualified IT buyers. In addition, the Forum team has over 10 years of experience in the IT M&A sector and has developed numerous buyer contacts that can be leverage for your benefit.
- The M&A Forum is more cost-effective than traditional M&A resources because there is only a nominal $500 fee to get started and list your company using a blind profile. You will only pay a finders fee when there is a completed transaction with a Buyer you meet on the M&A Forum.