Exit options
Selling your business to an investor
How selling to private equity or private investors works, what investor buyers look for, and how partial exits and retained stakes compare with a full sale.
Selling to Investors & Private Equity
Private equity firms and HNWI investors can provide the capital needed to acquire your business, often with the aim of growing and eventually selling it at a higher value. This option is appealing if you’re looking to exit partially or wish to stay involved in the business post-sale. Selling to private equity can also provide opportunities for growth, as these investors bring in financial resources and expertise.
Key Considerations: Partial or Full Exit: Flexibility in how much of the business you sell. Growth Potential: Investors may inject capital to scale the business. Ongoing Involvement: Sellers may retain a stake or continue in a management role.
How the sale price can be structured
Cash on completion
Paid when the sale completes, the most certain element of the price.
Deferred consideration
An agreed amount paid later, on set dates or events.
Earn-out
Further payment dependent on the business's future performance.
Headline price and what you actually receive can differ. The structure, timing and conditions of payment matter as much as the number.
What Do Investor Business Buyers Look For?
Growth Potential:
Investors are drawn to businesses that demonstrate significant growth potential and scalability.
What to read next
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