Why trust us
Selling your business
We’d like to be part of your success story
We are a long-term investor that acquires and assists founder led businesses and management teams with their next chapter in their story.
We have extensive experience in both the management and
acquisition of businesses, we adopt a light supportive touch to
enable businesses to flourish.
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Years Experience
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Sectors
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Specialists
What to expect from us
How do we work
A transparent, swift process keeping communication honest and open at all times.
Are we a good match?
Our criteria
We don’t lead people up the garden path and we really value your time so we make it clear what we are looking for.
01/07
Founder led SMEs
We are generally looking for businesses that are founder led, where the business has strong values and is great at what it does.
02/07
Stable businesses
We want businesses that are built on solid foundations and are ran with stability and long-term, sustainable growth in mind.
03/07
Established 10 Years
We love to see businesses that have been around for a long time. The longer the better, but generally a minimum of 10 years trading is our requirement.
04/07
Proven team
We like to see that the existing management team has a track record of solid business performance. If this is led by a founder who would like to plan an exit, that’s ok, we can help to build out the team with succession in mind and be apart of that transition.
05/07
Profitable c15% EBITDA
We look for businesses that have a circa 15% EBITDA margin or have a sensible path to that figure. This is so we can ensure proper reinvestment in the business for the long-term.
06/07
EBITDA >£1m
Profitability is important and we do require businesses to be £1M + EBITDA and be able to demonstrate a sustained period at this level.
07/07
Cash generative
A strong track record of cash generation is important to ensure proper reinvestment and for long-term security.
Initial conversation
Either we have found you or you have found us, we have an informal chat about your business and your plans for it. At this point be agree to a next step if appropriate.
Face to face meeting
We would come to visit the business when you are comfortable, we don’t wear sharp suits and our visits are discrete.
Sign an NDA
If both parties are happy to move things forward then we sign an NDA so you know both parties are protected and conversations are confidential.
Further information
We would ask for further information to allow us to gain a clear picture of the business and assess its financial performance.
We'll make an offer
If we are encouraged by what we see we will make an offer to the shareholders to acquire 100% of the shares.
Due diligence
When shareholders accept an offer, we’d then start our due diligence process. Most of this would be done internally by our team.
Legal process
Both parties instruct a lawyer, preferably with corporate finance experience to work through the process.
Sale completion
Typically the process can take 3 months. The timescale is usually limited by the management teams ability to provide information and replies to questions.
Post completion
We don’t announce our acquisitions. Most owners prefer this approach as it offers less disruption and doesn’t unsettle employees or suppliers. It is business as usual.
We appreciate that selling a business can be stressful and often an emotional process. It's often your life's work, and we appreciate that and will make sure we retain the human element and are discrete and sensitive throughout the transaction. We will always be transparent throughout the whole process.
"We’re excited for our next chapter"
The entire sales process was smooth and quick, and Complete Ventures delivered on everything they said they would. We continue to manage the business as we always have done, with the Complete Ventures team being on hand to help and assist. It's comforting knowing that we now have an experienced team to call upon if required.
"Transparent process with open dialogue"
The Sale was successfully completed in October 2023, and Complete Ventures have consistently upheld their promises from the very beginning. The day-to-day operations are smoothly handled by the original team, now bolstered by the invaluable expertise of the Complete Ventures team whenever needed. Monthly reporting procedures are now in place and are sharply focused. When the news of the sale has reached both suppliers and customers it has only strengthened their confidence in the company, reassured that steps have been taken to ensure the business's continued success and longevity.
"Acquisition completed in one month "
Complete Ventures recently completed an acquisition where we acted as lawyers on behalf of the vendor. The team at CV worked quickly and fairly to complete the deal within one month.
