Our clients hire us to uncover direct-to-founder opportunities for acquisition.
Let’s face it, finding good agencies for sale is really hard. You have to depend on the deal flow of a single software platform, manage dozens of broker relationships or dig through hundreds of communications just to find a potential target.
We know it sucks, so we developed a solution. We source 100% direct-to-founder acquisition opportunities.
Think of our service as a supercharger to an existing origination effort or an alternative to building out an internal deal origination team.
We source 100% direct-to-founder acquisition opportunities.
Strategic Buyers
Looking for a bolt-on to your existing business? We’ll find the perfect strategic and cultural fit to enable you to expand geographically, add industry vertical expertise to your service offering, and gain top agency talent.
Private Equity Firms
In the market to acquire a high-margin agency that aligns brilliantly with your business and financial goals? It’s our passion to source the ideal agency match that will be a mutual win – and provide steady, recurring ROI.
Independent Sponsors
If you’re a free agent or group in search of an amazing agency to invest in, we bring an unrivaled pool of the highest performers in their niches to the table. We won’t rest until we’ve found a winning match for your interests.
Portfolio Companies of PE Firms
Seeking the next awesome agency to add to your expanding service set? We’ve got the perfect acquisition option lined up to supercharge your growth and pay back your investment in dividends.
Family Offices
As an investment vehicle for your family’s wealth, a shrewd agency acquisition can yield extraordinary returns. If you’re a high-net-worth individual in search of the right purchase, we’re here to source your next success story.
Entrepreneurs
Want to acquire an already proven, profitable business rather than build one from the ground up? We’re experts at matching entrepreneurs with great agency founders whose exit goals are aligned with their buying interests.
We're tearing up the old rule book and forging a new breed of M&A.
Successfully acquiring the right agency is a significant undertaking. From identifying high-potential targets and completing financial and valuation assessments, to analyzing the fit of the business model, culture, and growth strategy with your company, we’re here to ensure an opportunity aligns perfectly with your objectives.
Step 1:
Identify Target Criteria
Our team works closely with you to establish a full set of target criteria. Outside of obvious criteria like top-line and bottom-line financial requirements, these include geographic location, deal structure, transition expectations, industry reputation, time in business, vertical or industry market, revenue streams, services offered, company culture, and staffing and employee tenure.
Step 2:
Find & Evaluate The Targets
We identify high potential acquisition targets and conduct an in-depth evaluation to see if there is alignment with a majority of your acquisition goals. We disqualify targets that are not a good fit.
Once targets are identified & evaluated, our team delivers a comprehensive and objective evaluation of each target to you for review. You can expect to receive 4-7 fully-vetted targets per month – all of which meet your criteria and are open to an acquisition in a realistic valuation range.
Step 3:
Make A Move
We work with you to construct an appropriate transaction structure based on your goals and what we’re seeing in the industry. Once the acquisition target accepts your offer, we enter the due-diligence period, where we’ll help you dive “under the hood” of the business to ensure everything checks-out accordingly. We can provide templates of necessary documents at every stage and/or work alongside your transaction counsel for a final sign-off on the transaction.
Step 4:
Get It Done
It’s time to cross the finish line!
Here is where we finalize what happens post-transaction and make sure all parties are in alignment with goals and objectives after the deal has closed. We’ll help facilitate the signing of docs and once the closing funds have transferred, we are officially closed.
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Relationships Come First
At Barney, relationships are our most precious resource. We support entrepreneurs for the entirety of their business lives, from start-up or purchase through a sale or strategic exit. We’re more than business brokers, we’re strategic partners that believe in being boldly different.
