Our Process
The following is a pertinent outline of our search process.
We engage in a detailed discussion with our client to identify, define and determine the specific criteria of the business they envision acquiring.
Based upon our broad industry knowledge and an analysis of our comprehensive proprietary database, confidential connections with industry contacts are made to begin the target company identification and selection process. Publicly available sources are also used to search for, uncover and qualify candidates that meet our client’s purchase objectives.
We then further refine our search process by obtaining information on these businesses such as ownership, annual sales and number of employees. Additionally, a detailed written analysis of the target company’s strengths is developed. This includes a range of critical items such as intellectual property, marketing strategies and share, historical growth rates and key operational systems.
We then share these detailed findings on potential acquisition targets with our clients to further fine-tuning our understanding of their interests.
After securing client approval, we contact each target candidate using a combination of direct mail, certified mail and telemarketing. Each mailing is followed by personal phone calls to the target company’s owners. All calls are made by a senior professional of Mad River Associates. The goal is to contact the decision maker and qualify their willingness to potentially enter into a conversation about a possible acquisition.
After exchanging nondisclosure agreements we then further screen interested candidates and obtain as much financial and other pertinent information that they will provide.
If there appears to be a compelling fit, we introduce our client to the potential acquisition target.
Once a client decides to pursue acquiring a business, we assist with negotiations of price and terms, drafting letters of intent and guiding the transaction to closing.