CapEQ™ | B Corp

Business owners: Are you ready for life after selling your business? Helen Webster, former MD of AV Danzer, shares her journey of transitioning from an intense business life to newfound freedom after selling the company she ran in 2021. Her advice for founders preparing for their "what's next": 💡 Plan ahead: Think about your post-sale life before the deal closes. 💡 Engage early: Find hobbies, passions, or causes to dive into after the sale. 💡 Balance the transition: Skip the endless holidays and focus on meaningful pursuits. A must-watch for anyone planning a business exit and seeking purpose beyond boardroom meetings. Check out our "life after sale" playlist for more like this: https://hubs.la/Q036XcQb0

Founded by Merv Carroll and Steve Done, EcuTek revolutionised the market by unlocking the Subaru Impreza’s ECU, offering tuners a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to standalone systems. 🔧 With David Power on board, the company scaled rapidly, securing partnerships with leading manufacturers and expanding into new markets. Their cutting-edge software augmented the car tuning industry and paved the way for EcuTek’s acquisition by Promus Equity in 2017.🚀 Learn more about EcuTek’s rise to success https://hubs.la/Q02T2zvh0 #automotivetuning #techinnovation #businessgrowth #businesssale

Are you ready to sell? It’s more than just business. Selling your company isn’t just a financial decision — it’s deeply personal. Many founders struggle with the emotional impact of leaving behind the business they've nurtured. From fear of losing your identity to uncertainty about the future, emotions can derail even the most logical deal. Start by asking yourself: Are you emotionally ready for this transition? Let’s talk about the emotional side of business exits. https://hubs.la/Q02-lsSj0

Hiring any advisor is a tricky decision for business leaders. Service levels aren’t always clear, outcomes can be vague, and there’s always that nagging feeling that you may be paying someone to tell you things you already know. The M&A profession is no different. There are thousands of firms to choose from - business brokers, high street accountants, regional boutiques, professional services brands, or investment banks. Few entrepreneurs have previous experience of going through a business sale, so the questions you ask when choosing an advisor are critical. Remember, you’ve decided you want to sell your business. The goal is to actually COMPLETE on a sale – preferably for maximum value. Accreditations, awards, previous sector experience, fees don’t really indicate whether you will get a deal over the line. Skills matter more. To optimise your chances of successfully doing a deal that works for everyone, sellers and acquirers tell us these they value these skillsets most. 📢 ARTICULATION – a slick company prospectus presenting key facts and company USPs is more likely to get read than a tedious 90-page dossier 💎 ORIGINALITY – a large list of well-matched acquirers is more likely to generate interest from multiple parties, creating auction conditions so sellers can choose the best fit, terms and price 📞 TENACITY – acquirers are busy and may miss the opportunity. Contact info may be out of date, they may be in the thick of doing a complex acquisition. Good advisors keep going until we can speak to someone and get them to the table 📃 ORGANISATION – busy people means meetings sometimes need re-arranging, follow-up info needs sending, third parties need coordinating (eg lenders, tax specialists, regulators) 🚀 MOMENTUM – interest dwindles with late follow-up, missing info, or sloppy scheduling. No owner wants to be in a situation where they are about to agree a deal only for a new bidder to pop up too late in the process. Energy and drive are important soft skills to keep timescales aligned 💪 DEFENSIBILITY – key financials and forecasts will be interrogated, so owners need to be confident they are accurate and achievable. Acquirers have their boards to satisfy, while owners will want to reduce price-chipping in the final negotiations 💰 LEVERAGE – faced with much larger acquirers, owner-directors need advisors to put their business on an equal footing. Competing bidders helps here, but honest advice on when to push and when to concede also matters 😎 EMPATHY – M&A is stressful, so both sides need calm heads who can overcome tense moments to get a deal over the line for mutual benefit. After all, consensus and compromise is the key to negotiating. Good advisors will be able to demonstrate most or all of these skills. Hopefully, the above can act as a checklist to help shareholders set the right criteria when choosing an M&A firm to engage. Read more https://hubs.la/Q02ZG-Ff0

Matthew Moden shares how he co-founded vape brand Liberty Flights, scaled it from kitchen table operation to 120 staff and 20 shops, then sold it for £14.5m. Full story: https://hubs.la/Q02ZG_-s0

M&A is tough — even for seasoned pros. For those launching a roll-up in a fragmented sector, the challenge is even greater. It’s not just about where and why to #acquire but HOW to do it right. Here are three key M&A approaches to supporting a corporate growth strategy: 📈 Programmatic M&A – Frequent, smaller #acquisitions aligned with your growth strategy. Each deal should fill a strategic gap, keeping integration manageable and value-driven. 🚀 Transformative M&A – A few big, game-changing acquisitions. High upside, but also more risk — culture clashes and operational hurdles can derail success. 🤞 Opportunistic M&A – Unplanned deals from chance encounters or intermediaries. They can be golden opportunities or major disruptions — quick, careful evaluation is key. M&A success demands teamwork — boardrooms, inhouse M&A directors and unbiased corporate finance advisors working together. Learn more about how to make your acquisitions count. https://hubs.la/Q035XPgH0 #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessGrowth #Strategy #CorporateFinance #Corporatedevelopment

What makes a business truly attractive to buyers? Karen Woolley, co-founder of Proscribe, reflects on what led to their successful acquisition by Envision Pharma in 2014. Key factors included: 💼 Exceptional staff quality , especially in the Asia Pacific region. 🌐 Synergistic potential with Proscribe seamlessly integrating into global projects. 🤝 Trust and ethics where Proscribe’s strong reputation boosted Envision’s global standing. The promises made during the acquisition were fulfilled, creating a win-win for both the buyer and the team. Learn more about this transaction: https://hubs.la/Q02T2rGn0 #BusinessSale #SellingABusiness #Acquisition #MedComms

Life after a business sale 🤔 Exited SaaS founder John Paterson #mentors ambitious grads starting their first ventures; and helps those from disadvantaged backgrounds launch careers. What would you do with your time if you sold your business?

Feeling trapped by your business? 2025 could be the perfect time for a fresh start. 🤔 Founders usually begin their business journey with excitement and passion. ♥ Then, the daily grind takes its toll. 🥱 If you're dealing with sleepless nights, constant firefighting, and no work-life balance, it's time to address this seriously. 🔸 Burnout is real: It’s a mental health issue that demands attention. 🔸 Listen to your body and mind: They may be quietly telling you it's time for a change. 🔸 The right acquirer will care for your team, but only you can prioritise your well-being. ✨ Reclaim your time, reduce stress, and explore new passions. The new year offers an ideal opportunity to transition into a chapter of freedom and possibility. Ready to explore your options? Read more to evaluate where you stand and take the next step. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q034sqH00 #businessowner #founders #leadership #newbeginnings #burnout

Thinking about selling your business? 💡 JGA Fire Engineering founder Jeremy Gardner emphasises a crucial lesson for ALL business owners: sell when you WANT to...not when you're forced to. He shares why it’s vital to sell when your business is thriving — not under pressure. Professional advisors can help you get the best deal, maximise value, and maintain control of the process. Avoid common pitfalls and take charge of your business’s future by planning your exit strategically. Subscribe now to our Youtube for more exited founder tips like this. ▶ https://hubs.la/Q0359mWj0 #ExitStrategy #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessAdvice #Leadership