Business transfer and succession Luxembourg | Belgium | France

Visualisez une représentation cohérente de la stratégie d'entreprise à travers trois formes géométriques : une larme bleue à gauche, symbolisant la fluidité et l'adaptabilité ; un carré rouge au centre, symbolisant la stabilité et la structure ; et un demi-cercle gris à droite, indiquant l'innovation avant-gardiste. Sur un fond blanc immaculé, ces éléments incarnent collectivement la précision et l'équilibre, principes primordiaux dans les fusions et acquisitions et le conseil aux entreprises complet.

Experts in business transfers and sales

Are you considering selling your business? Finding a buyer who will recognise the value of your company and ensure its long-term future is a real challenge. The process of selling a business takes several months and requires preparation, method and expertise. We support you every step of the way to ensure a smooth and optimised transfer for your sale.

We understand the concerns of entrepreneurs and SME managers. Our commitment: to secure your sale, maximise the value of your business, free up your time so you can focus on what matters most, maintain strict confidentiality and support you so you can sell with peace of mind.

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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 depends on thorough preparation. A comprehensive presentation file is essential to enable the buyer to make a preliminary offer, which they can then confirm after verifying the information presented.

We collect and analyse all the necessary documents, identify adjustments to reflect the company’s actual profitability (restatement of management expenses, exceptional items) and gather supporting documentation.

We draft two key documents: i) the Teaser, a summary and anonymous presentation, and ii) the Info Memo, a detailed dossier presenting the business, organisation, market, financial performance and scope of the transaction. These documents provide buyers with all the information they need to assess their interest in the transaction and draft solid offers, while limiting repeated interactions with you.

A good buyer is one who will maximise the value of your business while meeting your objectives. We conduct targeted research and approach qualified buyers directly, both nationally and internationally, presenting them with a clear and attractive teaser. Once their interest is confirmed, we have them sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before sending and presenting the complete file. We ensure that you only meet serious, well-informed and genuinely interested buyers.

Depending on the interest generated by the transaction, we can set up an auction process. This approach allows us to select a limited number of buyers for a second round in which their offers are adjusted, thereby intensifying competition and maximising the terms of the sale.

The negotiations cover several key aspects, including the sale price and the desired pricing mechanism, whether it be a fixed price or one adjusted according to cash flow on the day of the transaction. They also include complex aspects such as working capital adjustments, payment terms (vendor credits), potential price supplements, and all terms of the transaction. This includes, in particular, the representations and warranties requested, post-sale support and the conditions necessary for the sale to be completed. We structure discussions with buyers, ask them to submit an indicative offer and negotiate each strategic point in order to obtain the best terms while protecting your interests.
Once accepted, the indicative offer generally opens an exclusivity period during which the preferred buyer incurs costs to carry out acquisition audits. These audits allow for a detailed examination of the key aspects of the company, 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 the company’s sensitive information is stored and shared, containing all essential documents. We respond to additional requests from the buyer and coordinate between the various stakeholders, including your internal teams, lawyers, and accountants, to ensure a controlled progression of the audits.

The signing of the final transfer agreement is often still subject to adjustments and negotiations. In collaboration with your legal advisors, we ensure that the agreement accurately reflects the spirit of the negotiations and review it in its entirety.

Once the agreement has been legally formalised, we supervise the lifting of any conditions precedent necessary to finalise the transaction and prepare the distribution of financial flows.

With this proven methodology, we turn a complex process into a controlled experience, maximizing the value of your company while enabling a smooth sale. To learn more about our role in a sale, see our article: Business Sale: How a Specialized Advisor Optimizes the Sale?

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 conditions.