Frequently Asked Questions about M&A
These are the most common questions we get from business owners.
What does Align Business Advisory Services do?
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Align helps business owners with M&A transactions — strategically, confidentially, and in a way that helps them achieve maximum value. We manage the entire process, from preparing your company for market to negotiating with buyers and closing the deal.
What types of businesses do you work with?
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We specialize in founder-led, lower-middle-market companies with $10M–$200M in revenue across a range of industries — services, materials, healthcare, and high-tech.
What’s my business worth?
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An accurate answer depends on many factors. We conduct a detailed valuation using comps, EBITDA multiples, and benchmarks — and help you identify ways to improve value before going to market.
I’ve already got an offer. Should I take it?
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The first offer is rarely the best. A structured process with Align usually surfaces multiple buyers, drives better terms, and gives you more leverage.
How early should I start planning to sell?
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Earlier than you think — ideally 12–24 months out. That gives time to prep your financials, operations, and positioning to boost valuation and reduce stress.
How does partnering with private equity work?
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Private equity offers flexible deal structures — from growth partnerships to full exits — often allowing you to retain control, protect employees, and scale faster.
Can Align help me evaluate private equity vs. ESOP?
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Yes. We help you understand the trade-offs and find the best fit for your goals, team, and legacy — from PE to ESOP to strategic buyers.
What if I’m not ready to fully exit?
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Many deals include earnouts or rollover equity, letting you take some money off the table while staying involved for future upside.
How does Align find buyers or investors?
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We’ve built a large, vetted network of PE firms, family offices, and strategic acquirers — and we run a competitive process to get you the best terms.
What should I have ready before talking to Align?
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Just bring a rough sense of your financials (last 3 years), ownership structure, and goals. We’ll walk you through everything else.
How long does the M&A process take?
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From engagement to closing, most deals take 6 to 12 months depending on complexity and market conditions.
How does Align get paid?
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We work on a success-based model — most of our fee is tied to a successful close, with minimal upfront costs.
Will my employees or competitors find out I’m selling?
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No. We operate with strict confidentiality. All buyers sign NDAs and access is tightly controlled throughout the process.
What makes Align different?
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We bring Wall Street-level M&A expertise to Main Street businesses — with $3B+ in deal experience and a process designed to reflect the real value of what you’ve built.
Since 2017, Align has guided lower-middle-market business owners from endings to new beginnings, facilitating over $3 billion in transaction volume across a wide range of industries. While success looks different for everyone, we strive to generate maximum value for businesses by identifying not just a good buyer or investor, but the best one. Beyond feeling pride from the business acquisition deals we’ve achieved, we find our satisfaction in knowing our clients’ needs and terms were aligned. Our transaction M&A team specializes in helping clients navigate their transitions with confidence.