Working with MYD
Who does MYD work with?
MYD advises family-owned and mid-sized companies—typically with €50M–€500M in annual revenue—on M&A, capital partnerships, and pre-sale preparation. We work with owners seeking to exit, acquire, or optimize their business structure, as well as investors and family offices looking to deploy capital strategically.
What makes MYD different from other advisors?
MYD combines M&A advisory with hands-on operating experience. We're not theoretical advisors—we run businesses ourselves, which means we understand the operational and financial realities you face. We focus on specific, structured preparation rather than generic process management, and we work across multiple sectors and geographies, including cross-border transactions.
When should we first contact MYD?
The ideal timing depends on your situation. If you're thinking about a sale within 12–24 months, now is a good time to have a confidential conversation. If you're uncertain about timing or value, a readiness assessment clarifies whether your business is sale-ready or would benefit from pre-transaction optimization. Waiting until a buyer approaches often means lost leverage and missed value.
Can MYD advise us on both sides of a deal?
No. We represent either the seller or the buyer in a transaction, never both. This ensures clear alignment and confidentiality. If you're exploring an acquisition, we can advise you on buyer strategy; if you're selling, we represent your interests exclusively.
What's the first step in working with MYD?
The first step is a confidential conversation to discuss your situation, goals, and timeline. We'll ask about your business, growth trajectory, challenges, and exit objectives. There's no commitment—just an opportunity to see if we're a fit for your needs.
Confidentiality
How does MYD protect confidential information?
Confidentiality is central to our process. We sign strict NDAs with buyers before sharing any information about your business. We keep your company name, financials, and operational details out of our marketing and communications. All data during diligence is housed in a secure data room with audit trails, and we control access carefully.
Who needs to know about the sale process?
Keeping a sale process confidential initially is critical—staff anxiety, customer retention risk, and competitive pressure all increase if word spreads early. Typically, you'll share confidential information with board members, key advisors, and your accountant early; broader staff communication happens once a deal is close to closing or if the sale doesn't succeed.
What happens to our business information after closing?
After closing, information about your business becomes part of the buyer's records. The definitive agreement specifies what happens to sensitive employee data, customer lists, and other proprietary information. Your advisors maintain confidentiality of privileged communications and are bound by professional ethics.
Will competitors find out about the sale?
During the sale process, exposure risk is real. Buyers conduct market research and talk to customers and industry peers during due diligence. One advantage of working with advisors who specialize in your sector is understanding which buyers are likely to surface and managing competitive exposure thoughtfully.
The Transaction Process
How long does it take to sell a business?
The timeline depends on business complexity, buyer availability, and deal conditions. A straightforward transaction typically takes 6–12 months from initial CIM to closing, though some close faster and others take longer. Our how-we-work guide outlines the typical phases and realistic timeframes for your situation.
What happens during due diligence?
Due diligence is the buyer's investigation phase. They examine your financial statements, contracts, tax filings, litigation history, HR records, and operational systems. Buyers typically focus on revenue quality, cost structure, key customer concentration, working capital needs, and any hidden liabilities. Organized preparation—and responsiveness to diligence questions—speeds this phase significantly.
What is a quality of earnings review?
A quality of earnings review is a specialized financial audit that verifies the sustainability and authenticity of reported earnings. The buyer (or a third-party provider) examines add-backs, one-time charges, revenue recognition, and the reliability of your forecasts. A strong QoE strengthens your negotiating position and reduces buyer doubts about future performance.
What should we expect at closing?
At closing, you execute final documents, transfer ownership, and receive payment (minus holdbacks, escrow, or earn-out provisions). You may remain involved for a transition period—weeks to months—helping integrate your business into the buyer's operations and answering questions. The definitive agreement specifies post-closing obligations and your role.
What are earn-outs and should we accept them?
An earn-out ties part of your purchase price to post-closing performance targets (revenue, EBITDA, customer retention). Earn-outs reduce the buyer's upfront cash at risk but create uncertainty for you about receiving full payment. They're common in high-growth or uncertain scenarios. Whether to accept depends on your confidence in targets and the buyer's trustworthiness—negotiate earn-out terms carefully.
What are representations and warranties, and what's our liability?
Representations and warranties are seller commitments about the accuracy of information provided. If a rep is inaccurate, the buyer can pursue a claim. Liability is typically capped and covered by escrow or holdback reserves for a period (often 12–24 months). Working with legal counsel to negotiate reasonable reps and warranties limits your post-closing exposure.
Cross-border Transactions
Why would we consider a cross-border buyer?
Cross-border buyers—particularly in Europe, Türkiye, the Gulf, and Asia—often bring capital, market access and capabilities your business may not be able to build alone. Where they see a clear strategic fit, such as entry into your market or complementary products, that can be reflected in how they value your company. The tradeoff is added complexity in currency, tax, and regulatory compliance.
What additional challenges do cross-border deals face?
Cross-border transactions require expertise in tax treaties, currency hedging, regulatory approvals, and cultural integration. Foreign buyers may face tighter financing or takeover screening, and negotiations can take longer. You'll need advisors experienced in international M&A and the specific jurisdictions involved to navigate these complexities.
Do cross-border deals take longer to close?
Yes, typically. Currency approvals, foreign investment screening, and regulatory filings can add several weeks or months to the timeline, depending on the jurisdictions involved. Working with advisors experienced in cross-border transactions—and understanding buyer jurisdiction and industry regulations early—helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises.
Preparing Your Company
What is a readiness assessment?
A readiness assessment is a diagnostic review of your business's M&A readiness: financial quality, operational strength, legal compliance, and strategic position. It identifies gaps (e.g., outdated contracts, weak accounting controls) and suggests optimization priorities before approaching buyers. A strong readiness assessment signals professionalism and typically improves valuation.
How can we increase our business value before selling?
Value typically comes from reliable revenue, sustainable margins, diversified customer base, strong management, and clean legal/operational standing. Before a sale, focus on: normalizing financial reporting, reducing key-person dependencies, optimizing cost structure, and addressing any compliance or litigation risks. Operational excellence is the most direct path to higher multiples and buyer confidence.