To get what you want from an acquisition, you need a star player on your team. Someone who knows the acquisition process intimately and can lead you to a successful close. We recruited some of the best and most experienced acquisition advisors with a common goal: to help you close quickly, easily, and at the highest price.
But if you’ve never hired an advisor before, it might feel a little daunting and intrusive. But don’t be dismayed: Our advisors are passionate advocates of founders and the startup community. If you want to hire someone with your best interests at heart, you’ve come to the right place. Just follow the steps below and drop us a line if you need help: support@acquire.com.
1. Identify Your Goals
Before hiring an advisor, first establish what you want to get out of an acquisition. For example, why are you selling? How will an acquisition affect your short, medium, and long-term goals? Is money more important to you or time? Advisors will ask you these questions to determine the best course of action and advisor expertise that’ll achieve the outcome you want.
Unsure of what you want? Then stop, breathe, and figure it out. Start with what you’ll do after the acquisition closes. Will you start a new business? Go on vacation? Retire? Advisors can devise short and long-term strategies that go beyond this acquisition to where you want to be in five years or more. Be honest – advisors appreciate candor as it helps them do their job.
2. Request an Advisor
Once you’ve nailed your acquisition goals, you’re ready to hire an expert to help you achieve them.
- Click the “Hire expert help” button from your seller dashboard.
- Enter your details and the help you need in the pop-up window.
- Our counsel, James Graves, will match you with the right expertise.
And that’s it! The team will introduce you to the best advisor for your goals and then you can start you engagement with them.
3. Evaluate the Engagement Request
Once you’re happy to proceed with your advisor, they’ll send you an engagement request. This document outlines the scope of work, pricing, and other terms such as confidentiality and cancelation clauses. Please review the engagement request carefully, and if there’s anything you’re unsure of, discuss it with the advisor.
All of our advisors are champions of the startup community. We handpicked them to put your best interests at heart. In that sense, your experience may differ from previous dealings with services professionals – in a good way. Not only do they believe in what Acquire is trying to achieve, but they’re sensitive to the stress and frustration of the acquisition process.
As a result, you’ll find our advisors consultative and amenable to your needs, and they’ll do their utmost to agree acceptable engagement terms that fit around you. Don’t be afraid to lean on them for advice and to negotiate anything you’re unhappy with in the engagement request. In the unlikely event you can’t agree, walk away and speak to another advisor.
From this point on, your acquisition is in the confident hands of an advisor. You won’t need to lead the process – that’s the advisor’s job – but do give them as much information as they need to help you close successfully. Also, not all advisors can manage an acquisition from start to close, but they’ll help you engage expert help when necessary and appropriate.
Visit your seller account now (or create one for free) to request an advisor. As ever, if you have any questions, let us know at support@acquire.com.
The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial, or M&A advice. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for your convenience. Please seek the services of an M&A professional before entering into any M&A transaction. It is not Acquire’s intention to solicit or interfere with any established relationship you may have with any M&A professional.
