100% sale
This is the full-on, sell-
everything deal. You hand over the reins and
typically step away
completely.
– You’re ready to retire or move on to something new.
– You want to maximize liquidity and fully cash out.
-There’s no clear
successor to take over.
– You’ll have no
control or involvement
post-sale.
– Buyers may make
changes that impact
employees, customers,
culture.
Transaction Type
What It Is
Why It Might Be the Right Move
Watch-Outs
100% sale
This is the full-on, sell-
everything deal. You hand over the reins and
typically step away
completely.
– You’re ready to retire or move on to something new.
– You want to maximize liquidity and fully cash out.
-There’s no clear
successor to take over.
– You’ll have no
control or involvement
post-sale.
– Buyers may make
changes that impact
employees, customers,
culture.
Transaction Type
What It Is
Why It Might Be the Right Move
Watch-Outs
100% sale
This is the full-on, sell-everything deal. You hand over the reins an typically step away completely.
This is the full-on, sell-everything deal. You hand over the reins an typically step away completely.
– You’ll have no
control or involvement
post-sale.
– Buyers may make
changes that impact
employees, customers,
culture.
100% sale
This is the full-on, sell-
everything deal. You hand over the reins and
typically step away
completely.
– You’re ready to retire or move on to something new.
– You want to maximize liquidity and fully cash out.
-There’s no clear
successor to take over.
– You’ll have no
control or involvement
post-sale.
– Buyers may make
changes that impact
employees, customers,
culture.
Transaction Type
What It Is
Why It Might Be the Right Move
Watch-Outs
| Partner Type | Best Fit For | Advantages | Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Acquirer | Owners seeking a full exit with maximum valuation and minimal ongoing involvement | - Often highest valuation due to synergy (i.e., cost savings) - Opportunity for a clean break | - Loss of cultural identity and independence - Potential rebranding, layoffs, and management changes |
| Traditional Private Equity | Owners seeking partial or full exit while retaining growth opportunities | - Flexible deal structures with potential for future upside - Access to growth capital and strategic guidance | - Heavy use of debt increases risk - Focus on shorter-term financial returns; business will be sold again in ~2-5 years |
| Family Office | Owners seeking long-term capital with legacy preservation and minimal disruption | - Long-term, patient capital with fewer return pressures - Alignment with legacy preservation and continuity | - Often lower valuations compared to strategic buyers or private equity - Typically lack operational expertise and may be subject to changing family dynamics |
| Long-Term Investment Fund (Kanbrick-like Option) | Owners focused on legacy preservation, sustainable growth, and a partnership approach | - Patient, long-term capital - Deep operational expertise, paired with investments in people and systems - Preserve culture and management team | - Slower liquidity timeline - Highly collaborative, hands-on approach |
| Single-Deal / Search Fund | Owners looking for a hands-on, entrepreneurial partner to transition leadership | - Highly motivated partner with personal skin in the game - Focused attention on a single business | - May lack experience with larger or complex businesses - Often have limited capital or need to raise capital as part of investment |