Guides and Resources for Founder-Owners
Plain-language guides from Auctus Capital Partners for founder-owners in the lower middle market who are weighing a sale, a recapitalization, or an exit.
Sell-Side Playbook
The Sell-Side M&A Process: Timeline and Steps
The seven steps of the sell-side M&A process, from engagement letter to closing, with typical timelines for each phase and the most common reasons deals fail.
Choosing the Right M&A Advisor for the Lower Middle Market
How founders should choose an M&A advisor: senior involvement, sector expertise, buyer reach and track record, plus questions to ask before signing an engagement letter.
Due Diligence Checklist for Business Sellers
A due diligence checklist for business sellers covering financial, legal, operational and tax documents, virtual data room preparation, and common deal-delay issues.
Exit Planning for Business Owners: A Guide for the Lower Middle Market
Exit planning prepares your business and yourself for a future sale. Learn when to start and what a real plan covers.
Valuation
EBITDA Multiples for the Lower Middle Market: What Drives Them and What to Expect
Learn what drives EBITDA multiples for lower middle market companies — industry, size, growth, and revenue quality —.
What Is a Good EBITDA Multiple for My Business?
There is no universal "good" EBITDA multiple. See the four factors that actually determine yours.
Understanding Investment Banking
What Is an Investment Bank (and What Does It Do)?
An investment bank advises businesses on M&A, capital raises, and restructuring. Learn what that means.
Investment Banker vs. Broker: Which Is Right for Selling Your Business?
Investment bankers and brokers serve different transaction sizes. See the comparison and which fits your business.
Facility Services Guides
Facility Services Sub-Sectors We Advise
Auctus advises across HVAC, Janitorial, Manned Guarding, and other Facility Services sub-sectors, each with distinct buyer landscapes.
Selling an HVAC Business
How HVAC businesses are valued for sale: maintenance agreement penetration, residential vs. commercial mix, and EBITDA multiples ranging from 3x to 10x.
Selling a Janitorial & Commercial Cleaning Business
How janitorial and commercial cleaning companies are valued: contract structure, renewal rates, customer concentration and EBITDA multiples of 4x to 6x.
Selling a Landscaping Business
How landscaping businesses are valued for sale: commercial maintenance contracts, seasonality, year-round diversification and EBITDA multiples of 4x to 7x.
Roofing Guides
Selling a Roofing Business: Exit Strategy & Valuation
Plan your roofing company exit with confidence. Learn valuation multiples, buyer types, due diligence prep, and how to maximize sale price.
Commercial Roofing Acquisition: A Stage-by-Stage Roadmap for Buyers
A stage-by-stage roadmap for acquiring a commercial roofing business.
Surviving Due Diligence in a Roofing Business Sale
What to expect and prepare for during buyer due diligence when selling a roofing business.
WIP Accounting in Construction and Roofing: Handling It During a Business Sale
What WIP accounting means and why buyers scrutinize it in a roofing business sale.
More Industry Guides
Selling a Utility Services Company
How utility services companies are valued in the lower middle market: master service agreements, bonding capacity, buyer types and typical EBITDA multiples.
Selling a Food & Beverage Company
How food and beverage companies are valued for sale: brand equity, distribution reach, supply chain resilience and EBITDA multiples from 2.4x to 12x.
Ready to evaluate your options?
Speak directly with senior bankers at Auctus Capital Partners regarding your lower middle market business.