Are you thinking about selling your business but don’t know where to start?
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or accelerate your business, our dedicated team of experienced advisers can help.
Evolution Capital is not a broker: it is a premium advisory firm offering a range of fully-integrated services for TMT firms. We will hold your hand throughout the process, from the initial stages of a deal right through to completion and often beyond.
Everything you need to buy, sell or accelerate your business.
Business Sale Advice
Entrepreneurs work hard to create valuable businesses and deciding to commit to a sale is one of the most critical decisions they will make. We are passionate about helping business owners achieve the best possible outcome with our bespoke and specialist advice.
Our Business Sale Advice process can be broken down into five key stages:
Stage 1 - Analyse
This stage includes a comprehensive and bespoke review of your business that will ensure you are as prepared as possible for the sale process. Our report will cover:
- A detailed and objective review of your business, including a report on financial performance, your customer base and contracts.
- A detailed SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats).
- A thorough analysis of shareholder objectives and options.
- A review of the current market landscape.
- An assessment of potential buyers.
| Detailed elements of business review | Included |
|---|---|
| Financial performance | |
| Customers and contracts | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | |
| SWOT and TOWS analysis | |
| Objective and informed indicative valuations | |
| Buyer landscape | |
| Full exit readiness assessment, including tax advice | |
| Value enhancement strategies | |
| Issue recommendations and trouble-shooting | |
| Complete transaction planning | |
| Information platform and data room build | |
| Premium advice on achieving objectives |
Stage 2 - Prepare
Once you have agreed to go ahead with selling, Evolution Capital will prepare your business for sale. We will cover all the bases; no stone is left unturned. This stage will include:
- Full project plan and timetable, to be agreed with you.
- Any issues that have arisen in stage 1 will be discussed and managed.
- A series of transaction documents to help promote your business to potential buyers.
- A comprehensive platform and data room to ease information sharing.
Information memorandum sample output
Stage 3 - Verify
Evolution Capital will provide a detailed "EC Deal Assist Report" document for our vendor at heads of terms stage. This is a due diligence dry run and will include review and verification of:
- All corporate documents such as articles of association, statutory books, share capital history and organisation charts. Ensure that all required filings at Companies House have been made in a timely manner.
- Historic financial statements, communications with external accountants, review of performance against internal budgets and prior years and the company’s budget. Review of current year trading and any forecasts.
- Company assets to assess financial health of the business as well as potential for liability, including property, fixed assets, stock, debtors and bank accounts. Review mortgages and leases, schedules of creditors, potential liabilities and provisions. Adequacy of current working capital review.
- Employees, including their positions, salaries and length of service. Company policy addressing hiring, promotion, pay rises and benefits. Assess potential legal issues that may arise to deal with as the new business owner. Redundancy advice / synergies. TUPE.
- Tax records including corporation tax, VAT and PAYE.
- Contracts entered into by the company. Including but not limited to contracts with suppliers, banks, distributors, employees and shareholders (related party transactions).
- Revenue generating contracts (recurring revenue, length of contract, change of control provisions.
- Insurance cover and assess any potential issues.
| EC deal assist report | Included |
|---|---|
| Verification of company structure and share ownership | |
| Verification of trading performance | |
| Verification of assets and liabilities | |
| Verification of staffing and contracts | |
| Verification of tax records | |
| Verification of supplier and client contracts | |
| Verification of insurance cover and claims history |
Stage 4 - Market
This stage is all about marketing your business to possible buyers. We have strong relationships with most of the buyers in the marketplace and can help you find the right fit with your business. This stage includes:
- Ensuring confidentiality with all potential buyers.
- Arranging meetings and managing discussions between all parties.
- Managing the release of information to the right people, including documents relating to the deal.
- Producing extra information and answering any questions the buyers might have.
- Soliciting offers from interested buyers.
- Liaising with tax and other specialists to ensure the transaction is structured efficiently.
- Regular meetings and catch-up calls with you to ensure everything is on track.
Making sense of the trade and pe buyer universe *
* a small selection of our relationships
Stage 5 - Transact
Just like buying a house, this can be the trickiest stage. We will manage the whole process, right through to completion. Our comprehensive services at this crucial, final stage include:
- Full project management and advice regarding the deal.
- Agreeing on a timetable and action points with all parties.
- Liaising with the solicitors on both sides of the sale to ensure a smooth transaction.
- Preparation of all documents relevant to the deal.
Due diligence
- Our passion for full preparation helps to ensure the passage through due diligence is smooth and efficient.
- Some competitors do not prepare for or participate in this stage.
Spa and legal documentation
- We work with your solicitors to obatin the best possible results for you upon completion and beyond.
- We are able to introduce you to appropriate solicitors.
Total transaction management
- Formal process leading weekly all-party calls.
- We are proactive in speedily resolving any issues.
- Our focus is always on achieving success and mazimising value.
Buy & Build Strategic Advice
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” Alexander Graham Bell.
Total transaction management and a unique offering to your sector: a genuine gateway to maximising value.
Our Buy & Build Strategic Advice process can be broken down into five key stages:
Stage 1 - Analyse
We carry out a comprehensive strategic review to support informed advice on how to enhance value and effectively realise business and shareholder objectives over an appropriate timescale.
- Comprehensive business review.
- Valuation and transaction readiness.
- Landscape and advice on a market we know.
- Strategic planning and funding relationships.
- Full funding and M&A transaction preparation.
| Detailed elements of business review | Included |
|---|---|
| Financial performance | |
| Customers and contracts | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | |
| SWOT and TOWS analysis | |
| Objective and informed indicative valuations | |
| Buyer landscape | |
| Full exit readiness assessment, including tax advice | |
| Value enhancement strategies | |
| Issue recommendations and trouble-shooting | |
| Complete transaction planning | |
| Information platform and data room build | |
| Premium advice on achieving objectives |
Stage 2 - Prepare
Depending on the findings and advice arising from our strategic review, we agree with you a stage 2 strategic plan for value enhancement and successful exit.
- Full project plan and timetable, to be agreed with you.
- Any issues that have arisen in stage 1 will be discussed and managed.
- A series of transaction documents to help promote your business to potential buyers.
- A comprehensive platform and data room to ease information sharing.
Information memorandum sample output
Stage 3 - Funding
We prepare the business plan and financial projections specifically designed for funders and introduce equity/debt funders, whilst providing a full negotiation and management service:
- Get funding-ready with full preparation.
- Top quality business plan and projections.
- Introduction to most suitable funders.
- Negotiation of best possible terms.
- Full transaction management.
Selected funder relationships
Stage 4 - Acquire/Merge
We provide highly targeted introductions to qualified value-enhancing targets. Our negotiation techniques result in the improvement of offer terms and de-gearing of risks.
- We know your market.
- We understand strategy, value and valuations.
- We know how to identify the best targets.
- We know how to run an efficient process.
- We know how to enhance value.
Our research and advisory teams will find the best acquisition
Stage 5 - Execution
We provide premium advice for each and every transaction to completion with full hands-on project management through each transaction process:
- Total transaction management
- We expertly lead the transaction process.
- Preparation is foundation to success.
- Work with solicitors on legal documents.
- Focus on a swift and successful completion.
Comprehensive reviews and analysis
- Our passion for full preparation and detail helps to ensure transactions are smooth and efficient.
- Some competitors provide only limited assistance at this stage.
Legal documentation
- We work with your solicitors to obtain the best possible results for you upon completion and beyond.
- We are able to introduce you to appropriate solicitors.
Total transaction management
- Formal process leading regular all-party calls on transactions.
- We are proactive in speedily resolving any issues.
- Our focus is always on achieving success and maximising value.
Our Results & Case Studies
ICOM
John started Icom with the help of his wife in 1990, using their family home in Kent as their office. This was Donoghue’s first foray into the world of entrepreneurialism, stepping away from his job with Bailey Telecom.
Learn more
BTL
Evolution Capital, the leading mid-market corporate finance boutique specialising in bespoke advice for the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) market, is delighted to announce it advised on the sale of telecoms business Between the Lines Communication to Arrow Communications.
Learn more
Ridgewall
Evolution Capital is delighted to announce its strategic review and three-year M&A, funding and advisory programme of London-based MSP Ridgewall has resulted in an investment in the business by leading private equity firm Inflexion.
Learn moreOur Client Testimonials
I am happy to say that Evolution Capital delivered great value to the shareholders in selling Equitalk to XFone Inc. last year.
John Burton
MD of Equitalk
We retained Evolution Capital to find acquisitions and have now completed our first successful transaction through them.
Mark Jenkins
MD of Callagenix
We were the very first sponsor of Evolution Capitals Maximum Exit programme and found it a great way of uncovering acquisition targets.
Simon Cleaver
Former CEO of Legend Communications Plc
We are delighted with the number of valid research opportunities that Evolution Capital has given us
Jamie Hughes
CEO of Pace Telecom
Thanks to help from Evolution Capital, who provided us with the strategic advice we needed, we were able to evaluate a number of options, and are now well placed to develop our business to maximise our profit potential.
David Meyers
Managing Director of Axis Telecom
I put great value on Evolution Capital's team professionalism and advice, and in particular found the networking opportunities of great benefit to Club Communications.
Tony Lewis
MD of Club Communications Ltd
We appointed Evolution to manage the sale of XaL, which I am please to say they accomplished in a professional and timely manner.
Andrew Hague
MD of XaL (Billing Online Ltd)
Evolution Capital completed successful and timely fundraising for my business.
Don McQueen
MD of Patherfinder Telecom Ltd
I have been continually appreciative of Evolution Capital’s help and strategic advice which has always been provided in a highly professional manner.
Andrew Crane
MD of Inweb
The help and support that we received from Evolution Capital and Nigel Cook in particular was invaluable in completing an acquisition that had its share of challenges. I would certainly be happy to recommend their services.
Robert Woods
MD of Hobbs Parker 2000
Evolution were able to identify a buyer and complete the sale of my business in the very short timescale that I set them.
Jason Solis
MD of Modus Telecom Ltd