Selling a business
A considered route to the right sale.
Selling a business is rarely just a financial decision. It touches years of work, the people involved and what happens next — alongside the commercial question of value. A considered process addresses both.
Bond Partners prepares the business, positions the opportunity, reaches the right buyers and manages the sale through to completion — so the outcome reflects what has actually been built.
What to expect
The stages of the process.
- 01
Prepare
Establish objectives, readiness and a grounded view of value.
- 02
Position
Build the narrative, materials and strategy for approaching the market.
- 03
Identify
Map the market and qualify buyers against the owner's actual criteria.
- 04
Engage
Approach suitable buyers on a confidential, controlled basis.
- 05
Negotiate
Agree structure, terms and alignment with the preferred buyer.
- 06
Complete
Coordinate diligence and manage the process through to close.
Questions
What owners and acquirers ask.
- How long does a sale process usually take?
- Timelines vary by business and market conditions. Preparation is worth investing in properly rather than rushing, since it tends to shape how smoothly the rest of the process runs.
- Will my staff and customers find out before I want them to?
- Confidentiality is managed deliberately throughout — from how the opportunity is described to who sees it and when. Nothing is circulated indiscriminately.
- Do I need to have a buyer in mind already?
- No. Part of the work is identifying and qualifying suitable buyers, including ones an owner may not have considered.
- What if I'm not sure I'm ready to sell yet?
- A confidential conversation does not commit you to a process. It is often the most useful way to understand what readiness would look like for your business.
- How is value assessed?
- Value is grounded in the specifics of the business, not a generic formula. See our approach to valuation and exit planning for more detail.
Considering a sale?
Start with a confidential conversation about your business, your objectives and what the right process could look like.