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Sourcing a business

How Do I Find a Private Company for Sale?

How can you find a private company for sale?

There are many routes to finding a private company for sale. These can include online directories, LinkedIn, researchers, business sale brokers/agents, accountants, solicitors, corporate financiers acting for buyers/sellers, friends/family network, etc.

Challenges with traditional search routes

However, some of these routes require you to be able to undertake some or all of the research yourself.

Others will require you to pay a retainer, which can often be a hefty sum.

Of the parties that do have specific businesses for sale, none will allow you to progress very far without signing a Non‑Disclosure Agreement (NDA), and even obtaining the NDA in the first place can be a challenge.

Equally, many advisers are not keen to progress a private individual’s interest without requesting a significant amount of detailed information from you. Even then, that information must be vetted by the sellers before the Information Memorandum (IM) can be released, if the process gets that far.

How the Valius buyer platform helps private buyers

The Valius buyer platform seeks to assist you, the buyer, in overcoming many of these barriers to your search for the right business.

The Valius platform exists to connect buyers with businesses for sale in an efficient, smart and speedy way via its proprietary business search portal, which matches your target search criteria with over 500 businesses for sale at any time.

These businesses are sourced from business sale brokers, vendor advisers and other corporate financiers, all of whom are acting for the sellers/owners of a business. The service operates across the UK.

Expert knowledge and resources for business buyers

The platform also provides a library of expert knowledge across many different topic areas and publishes regular blog posts through which a buyer can learn how to engage with and ultimately acquire a private business.

Valius offers you knowledge and technical know‑how to help you navigate the business‑buying process, together with practical tips and information on key topics and considerations involved in buying a business.

Building credibility as a private buyer

Valius acts as your “personal broker” and, in particular, champions private buyers with the sell‑side advisers. By being a Valius member, you gain instant credibility.

If you’ve tried to find a target business to buy but are struggling to find the right one, or you simply cannot access enough opportunities, Valius can support you.

It might be that you have seen a business for sale but have not been able to convince the seller’s advisers that you are a serious buyer or that you have the wherewithal to complete a transaction. Working with Valius will give you the credibility you need to be viewed as a genuine alternative to a trade or private equity buyer.

Connecting you with partners and advisers

Valius can also connect you with another buyer to form a buyout team.

In addition, Valius can refer you to third‑party contacts who will help and support your business purchase journey through to a successful completion.

Want to learn more about how Valius could work for you?

Further Reading