Blog

SMB Acquisition Guides & Insights

Practical guides for buyers evaluating small business acquisitions.

For Sellers7 min read

How Attractive Is My Business to Buyers? Here's How to Find Out

Most sellers find out how attractive their business is during negotiations — when it's too late to change anything. Here's how to assess your business attractiveness before you go to market.

22 April 2026

Industry Deep Dives7 min read

How to Evaluate a Restaurant for Sale: A Practical Scoring Checklist

Restaurants fail at higher rates than most businesses and present unique evaluation challenges. Here's what to look for beyond the financials when assessing a restaurant acquisition.

22 April 2026

Industry Deep Dives8 min read

How to Evaluate an E-commerce Business for Sale

E-commerce businesses are increasingly available for acquisition — but they come with risks that don't appear in the P&L. Traffic concentration, supplier dependency, and platform risk can collapse revenue overnight.

22 April 2026

For Sellers7 min read

How to Price a Business for Sale Without Leaving Money on the Table

Most sellers price their business based on what they need — not what the market will pay. Here's a framework for setting an asking price that attracts serious buyers and holds up in negotiation.

22 April 2026

Due Diligence7 min read

7 Red Flags in a Business Listing That Most Buyers Miss

Most buyers only spot red flags after they've signed an NDA and spent weeks reviewing financials. These 7 warning signs are visible in the listing itself — before you waste a minute of your time.

22 April 2026

For Sellers7 min read

What Business Buyers Actually Look For (And Most Sellers Don't Realise)

Sellers often prepare for buyers by cleaning up the financials and rehearsing their story. Buyers are looking for something else entirely. Here's what actually drives buyer decisions.

22 April 2026

For Sellers6 min read

Before You List: How to Score Your Business Attractiveness

Score your business before listing. Understand the 6 dimensions buyers evaluate and benchmark your business against competitors in your industry.

1 April 2026

For Sellers6 min read

Industry Benchmarking Guide: How Your Business Stacks Up

Compare your business to industry benchmarks. Understand multiples, margins, and DSCR thresholds for your sector-and what it means for your valuation.

1 April 2026

For Sellers8 min read

The 6 Dimensions Buyers Care About (And How to Improve Yours)

The 6 financial dimensions that influence buyer decisions. Learn what each dimension is, why buyers care, and how to improve yours before selling.

1 April 2026

Buying Guides6 min read

How to Evaluate a Small Business for Acquisition: The Complete Guide

A step-by-step framework for evaluating any small business acquisition - from reading the financials to stress-testing the DSCR and spotting owner dependency risk.

24 March 2026

Financing4 min read

What is a Good DSCR When Buying a Business?

DSCR is the single most important financing metric in a business acquisition. Here's what a good DSCR looks like, how to calculate it, and what to do when it falls short.

23 March 2026

Valuation4 min read

EBITDA vs SDE: Which Should You Use When Buying a Small Business?

EBITDA and SDE are both used to value small businesses - but they measure different things. Using the wrong one inflates the multiple and overstates financing risk. Here's when to use each.

22 March 2026

Buying Guides5 min read

How to Read an Information Memorandum (IM)

An Information Memorandum is the primary document in any business sale. Here's how to read one critically - what to extract, what to verify, and what the omissions tell you.

21 March 2026

Valuation6 min read

Small Business Acquisition Multiples by Industry: 2025 Guide

What multiple should you pay for a small business? It depends entirely on the industry. Here's a complete breakdown of acquisition multiples across 9 SMB categories.

20 March 2026

ETA / Search Funds5 min read

ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition): The Beginner's Guide

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition is the path of buying an existing profitable business instead of starting one from scratch. Here's what it is, who it's for, and how to get started.

19 March 2026

Industry Deep Dives5 min read

Buying a Laundromat: Is It a Good Investment?

Laundromats are consistently one of the highest-rated SMB acquisitions: strong margins, low owner dependency, and recession-resistant demand. Here's what the numbers actually look like.

18 March 2026

Due Diligence5 min read

What Is Owner Dependency Risk - And Why It Kills Deals

Owner dependency is the silent deal-killer in SMB acquisitions. A business that depends on its current owner can lose 30–50% of its value the moment that owner walks out the door. Here's how to assess it.

17 March 2026

Financing5 min read

How to Finance a Small Business Acquisition Without a Huge Deposit

Most SMB acquisitions are financed with a combination of bank debt, equity, and vendor finance. Here's how to structure a deal that works without needing a massive deposit.

16 March 2026

Due Diligence6 min read

The 5 Red Flags That Kill Business Acquisitions

Most failed acquisitions had warning signs that were visible early. Here are the five red flags that should stop any deal in its tracks - and what to do when you encounter them.

15 March 2026