Get the company ready to sell 12 to 24 months before you talk to buyers. Normalised EBITDA, a vendor data room, fixes for the issues due diligence would find, and a defended valuation range.
We test the numbers the way a buyer's accountants would, and write down what they would find.
The plan to close the gaps — contracts, reporting, key-person risk — ordered by what it is worth.
A data room, a defended valuation range and a team that has rehearsed the questions.
Buyers pay for earnings they believe will continue without you. Most owner-managed companies are worth less than they could be for reasons that are fixable, given time: accounts that mix personal and business costs, one customer at 30% of sales, contracts that were never signed, or a business that runs because the owner answers every call.
Our first four weeks look at the company the way a buyer’s due-diligence team would. We normalise EBITDA — every owner salary adjustment, one-off cost and related-party rent written down with evidence — and compare it to what the company is reporting. Then we list what a buyer would use to cut the price, and what each item is likely to cost you.
Start eighteen to twenty-four months before you want to sell. That is enough time to fix the problems and show a buyer a full year of the improved numbers. With less time we still do the review, but the plan focuses on disclosure rather than repair.
Healthcare services 5 practices, $14M revenue
Price as a multiple of EBITDA, first offer vs. completion
Before
5.1×
After
6.8×
“The first offer looked generous until Sightline showed us what the buyer had left out. We would have signed it.”
Dr. A.K., founder — dental group, New Jersey
Talk to the partner who ran it.
We will walk you through what we did, what it cost and how long it took — with the client’s details left out.
Or call +1 (212) 555-0142
A partner who has run finance in a company your size, two to twelve days a month. Monthly board pack, cash forecast, bank relationship and pricing decisions — without a $280,000 salary.
From $3,200 / month
Bank facilities, asset-based lending, private credit and minority equity for companies raising $1M to $25M. We build the model and the pack, shortlist the lenders and run the process to signed terms.
From $18,000 + success fee
Three-statement models, budgets and forecasts built so your own team can run them. Driver-based, tied to the accounts, with scenarios for the decisions you are actually weighing.
From $7,500 per model
One call, then a one-page scope and price in writing. No obligation, and an NDA before you send us anything.
Or call +1 (212) 555-0142 — a partner answers.