Business transfer and succession
Luxembourg | Belgium | France

100%

Mandates completed

150

Network of active investors

360°

Tailored and confidential support

Are you considering selling your business? Finding a buyer who will recognize your company’s value and ensure its continuity is a real challenge. The process of selling a business spans several months and requires preparation, methodology, and expertise. We support you at every step to ensure a smooth and optimized transfer for your sale. We understand the concerns of entrepreneurs and SME leaders. Our commitment: to secure your sale, maximize the value of your business, free up your time to focus on what matters most, maintain strict confidentiality, and guide you to sell with peace of mind.

How do we orchestrate the sale of your business?

We follow a proven methodology to ensure the sale is completed under the best possible conditions and maximises the value of your company.

1. Disposal strategy

A clear and tailored strategy is essential for successfully selling a business. We work with you to define the objectives of the sale, estimate the value of your business and identify the most relevant buyer profiles.

The tax impact of the capital gain is anticipated and, if necessary, an in-depth assessment is carried out to identify areas for improvement prior to the sale, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the business.

The success of a business sale relies on thorough preparation. A complete presentation file is essential to allow the buyer to make a preliminary offer, which they can later confirm after verifying the information provided. We collect and analyze all necessary documents, identify adjustments to reflect the company’s true profitability (restating management expenses, exceptional items), and gather supporting evidence. We prepare two key documents: i) the Teaser, a concise and anonymous presentation, and ii) the Info Memo, a detailed file presenting the business, organization, market, financial performance, and scope of the transaction. These documents provide buyers with all the information needed to assess their interest in the deal and submit solid offers, while minimizing repeated interactions with you.
A good buyer is one who will best value your business while meeting your objectives. We conduct a targeted search and directly approach qualified buyers, both nationally and internationally, presenting them with a clear and attractive Teaser. Once their interest is confirmed, we have them sign a confidentiality agreement (NDA) before sending and presenting the complete file. We ensure that you meet only serious, well-informed, and genuinely interested buyers. Depending on the interest generated by the transaction, we can implement an auction process. This approach allows for the selection of a limited number of buyers for a second round, during which their offers are adjusted, thereby intensifying competition and maximizing the terms of the sale.
Negotiations cover several key aspects, including the sale price and the desired pricing mechanism, whether it is a fixed price or adjusted based on the cash position on the transaction date. They also include complex elements, such as working capital adjustments, payment terms (seller credits), potential earn-outs, as well as all terms of the transaction. This notably includes requested guarantees, post-sale support, and the conditions necessary to complete the sale. We structure the discussions with buyers, ask them to submit a preliminary offer, and negotiate each strategic point to secure the best terms while protecting your interests.
Once accepted, the indicative offer generally initiates an exclusivity period during which the preferred buyer incurs costs to conduct acquisition audits. These audits examine in detail the key aspects of the business, whether financial, legal, social, or tax-related, in order to confirm or, if necessary, adjust the initial offer based on the information gathered. We facilitate this process by providing a data room, a secure digital space where sensitive company information is stored and shared, containing all essential documents. We respond to additional requests from the buyer and coordinate among the various stakeholders, including your internal teams, lawyers, and accountants, to ensure a controlled progression of the audits.
The signing of the final sale agreement is often still subject to adjustments and negotiations. In collaboration with your legal advisors, we ensure that the contract accurately reflects the spirit of the negotiations and review it in its entirety. Once the agreement is legally formalized, we oversee the fulfillment of any conditions precedent required to finalize the transaction and prepare the allocation of financial flows.
With this proven methodology, we transform a complex process into a controlled experience, maximising the value of your business while enabling a smooth transfer of ownership.

Why choose AKCEAN for the sale of your business?

AKCEAN is your trusted partner for the sale of companies located in Luxembourg, Wallonia, and the Grand Est region of France, areas where we are fully active. Contact us today to learn more about our business sale support services. Let’s discuss how we can help you maximize the value of your company and achieve the best sale terms.