How do I find a business to buy?
Short Answer
Define clear acquisition criteria, then source targets through brokers and advisers and, ideally, direct off-market outreach that builds proprietary deal flow so you are not just bidding in competitive auctions.
Full Explanation
Finding a business to buy is a sourcing discipline, and the best acquirers reach owners before a business is openly marketed. Start with criteria: the sector, size, geography and strategic fit you are looking for, tight enough to focus your search. Then work the channels. Brokers and corporate finance advisers bring marketed opportunities, but these are competitive and priced accordingly. Direct, off-market outreach to owners — supported by networks, intermediaries who think of you first, and a credible acquisition thesis — builds proprietary deal flow, where there is less competition and often a better price and a more willing seller. Qualify quickly against your criteria and against the signals that matter: financial health, strategic fit and the intangible assets whose value the accounts may understate. A structured view of what makes a target valuable helps you spot businesses worth more than they look. See [how to find a business to buy](/insights/how-to-find-a-business-to-buy) and [grow by acquisition](/insights/grow-by-acquisition-strategy).
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