M&A Advisory Buy-Side Process
Our Buy-Side Process
Buying a Business is Equal Parts Opportunity and Risk
Buying a business requires standing back and seeing the big picture opportunities as well as meticulous attention to detail to uncover potential financial, legal, and operational issues.
The team at Waypoint Private Capital has reviewed thousands of deals, so we have an expertise in seeing the opportunities and the risks, and guiding you and your team through a successful buy-side M&A process.
Following is an overview of our 5-Step Buy-Side Process:
Step 1: Develop M&A Strategy
Our comprehensive assessment helps you focus your M&A strategy to make it efficient and successful. We help our clients explore their M&A rationale and focus their attention only on those target segments that will fulfill their overall corporate strategy.
Step 2: Target Contact & Screening
Once a narrow strategy is defined, we'll work with you to develop a list of potential target companies that fit within that strategy. This stage of the process includes:
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Identify target companies
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Crafting messaging for initial contact
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Contacting companies via email, snail mail, and phone
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Asking pre-determined screening questions of the companies to qualify or disqualify them from consideration as an acquisition target
Waypoint Private Capital's goal during this stage is to find companies that meet your criteria and have a likelihood of a successful close.
Step 3: Initial Diligence, Valuation, Offer, & Negotiation
Upon initial qualification, we review the possibilities with you and determine which targets to continue to pursue and the priority of our efforts. This stage involves:
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Continued information gathering and further conversations with the qualified target companies.
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Once we feel we have enough information to proceed, we will put together a valuation for the company.
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After discussions with you, if you choose to move forward with an offer, we will put together a letter of intent (LOI) and present it to the target company.
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Based on the seller's response, we will then formulate a negotiating strategy and try to negotiate the best possible deal for you.
Step 4: Due Diligence
Conducting thorough due diligence is crucial in the acquisition process, as it involves a comprehensive evaluation of every aspect of the target company. A critical part of the acquisition process is knowing what you are buying.
The team at Waypoint Private Capital has been on both the buyer and seller side of due diligence in hundreds of M&A transactions. Our experience can help you to uncover both opportunities and risks in the acquisitions you are pursuing.
We can also help you assemble your team of third-party diligence partners such as the accounting firm that will complete a quality of earnings report for you, insurance experts to analyze the adequacy of the insurance coverages at the target company, and tax experts that analyze the structure of the transaction and any inherent tax liability risks with the target.
Step 5: Legal & Closing
While Waypoint Private Capital doesn’t do any legal work, we help shepherd the process along and keep it on track. We make sure that the attorneys stay focused on the contracts and legal issues, while bouncing the business issues back out to the buyer and seller to decide before they are documented. Our oversite helps to minimize legal bills and increase the chance of successfully closing on the acquisition.
Waypoint Private Capital will be there to guide you through the entire buy-side process until the acquisition closes.
Also, if you need help arranging the financing for the acquisition, Waypoint Private Capital (through our affiliated company Waypoint Securities can help you raise the necessary financing.
Choose Waypoint Private Capital to
Buy a Business
Expert Acquisition Guidance
Our team has extensive experience in business acquisitions, ensuring you receive expert advice and strategic insights tailored to your specific needs and goals.
We Do The
Heavy Lifting
Our team does the
heavy lifting that most individuals and corporate teams don’t have the bandwidth or expertise to do during a buy-side M&A process.
Comprehensive Due Diligence
We provide thorough due diligence services, helping you identify opportunities and risks, and ensuring informed decisions are made throughout the process.
Tailored Financing Solutions
We can help structure and source the financing to support your acquisitions (most other firms aren’t properly licensed to help you with your financing needs).
