Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) in M&A in 2026: Why Buyers Price Off TTM, Seasonality, QoE
Trailing twelve months TTM in M&A is the pricing metric buyers use because it captures the most recent 12 months of business performance regardless of fiscal year timing. Buyers price off TTM EBITDA because it eliminates the stale-fiscal-year problem (a business that’s been growing 20% would look artificially small using last completed fiscal year). Seasonality […]
How Search Funds Finance Acquisitions (and What Sellers Should Know)
How Search Funds Finance Acquisitions (and What Sellers Should Know) Quick Answer Search funds are investment vehicles where entrepreneurs raise capital from investors to search for and acquire an existing business, typically a founder-owned company generating 500k to 5 million in EBITDA. The model operates in two phases: a search phase where the entrepreneur identifies […]
What Search Funds Look for in Acquisition Targets
What Search Funds Look for in Acquisition Targets Quick Answer Search funds typically target founder-led, profitable businesses generating 500,000 to 5 million dollars in annual revenue with strong unit economics, recurring revenue, and experienced management teams that can stay on post-acquisition. These investors prefer businesses in defensive sectors with recurring revenue models, minimal customer concentration, […]
How Buyers Evaluate Private Companies Before Making an Offer
How Buyers Evaluate Private Companies Before Making an Offer Quick Answer Buyers evaluate private companies through a structured pre-LOI underwriting process that runs 3 to 6 weeks before any offer is signed. The buyer evaluation framework grades the business on financial quality, management depth, customer concentration, recurring revenue, and growth durability, then triangulates valuation across […]
Typical Search Fund Deal Sizes — Are You in Their Range?
Typical Search Fund Deal Sizes — Are You in Their Range? Quick Answer Search fund deal sizes typically range from $500,000 to $2 million in purchase price, with a median capital raise of $550,000 according to the 2024 Stanford GSB Search Fund Study. Completed acquisitions are generally purchased at 3x to 5x EBITDA, with an […]
M&A Deal Origination Strategies for Faster, Better Closes in 2026
Unlock efficient m&a deal origination with our comprehensive Ultimate Guide. Curated insights for private equity pros, family offices, and independent sponsors.
M&A Deal Origination in 2026: How Top Firms Find Better Targets Before Anyone Else
Discover the secrets to successful deal origination M&A with our Ultimate Guide. Learn how top firms find better targets and stay ahead in the competitive M&A landscape.