01
We listen
A confidential intro call. No commitment. We learn your business, timeline, priorities, and target outcome.
- Confidential intro call
- Initial fit assessment
- Honest read on readiness and what buyers will ask
the sell-side M&A process
From first call to wire transfer.
Our sell-side M&A process runs in six phases, built by the team behind 1,000+ acquisitions and exits. Confidential by default. We carry the process while you keep the business performing until close.
02
We prepare
We build the materials qualified buyers need to make real offers using our 18-step exit optimization framework. You stay focused on running the business.
- Discovery questionnaire and open house interview
- CIM drafted
- Secure data room set up
- Financial summary prepared
03
We market
Strategic outreach plus our internal database of thousands of vetted financial buyers, sequenced to protect discretion and create leverage.
- Custom acquirer list
- PE, family office, and strategic relationships
- Internal buyer database activated
- Blind until NDA is signed
04
We connect
We bring qualified, verified buyers to the table and manage every interaction. You only spend time on buyers worth your time.
- Buyer verification
- NDA-gated CIM and data room access
- Buyer Q&A managed
- 5 to 12 serious buyers in final stages
05
We negotiate
Every offer runs through our Offer Evaluation Matrix so price, cash at close, earnout risk, escrow, and transition terms are clear before you choose.
- Offer presentation and analysis
- Term sheet negotiation
- LOI structure and timing
- Working capital and covenant review
06
We close
Diligence, legal, and closing. We coordinate everything so you can focus on the transition. Closing escrow is on us through Escrow.Trade.
- Buyer diligence coordination
- Purchase Agreement negotiation
- Free escrow services at closing
- Post-close transition support
Common questions
Quiet process. Clear answers.
What is the sell-side M&A process? +
It is how an advisor sells a company on the owner's behalf: preparing the financials and a confidential information memorandum, building a list of strategic and financial buyers, approaching them confidentially, managing NDAs and buyer questions, bringing several offers to the table at once, negotiating the letter of intent and purchase agreement, and coordinating diligence through closing. Ours runs in the six phases above.
How long does a typical exit take? +
Most deals run six to nine months from engagement to wire transfer. Smaller, cleaner businesses can close in four. Larger, more complex deals stretch to twelve. We give you a realistic timeline in our first conversation, not an aspirational one.
How do you keep my business confidential? +
Everything is anonymous until we've vetted and qualified buyers, and then they sign an NDA before they see anything that could identify your company. Only qualified buyers you approve ever learn the name of your business.
What if I already have a buyer at the table? +
Bring them in. We can run the negotiation, structure the deal, manage diligence, and bring competing offers to the table so the price reflects what the business is actually worth.
What does Hello Exit cost? +
A monthly retainer set by trailing twelve-month revenue at signing: $15,000 for revenue over $25 million, $10,000 for $10 million to $25 million, and $5,000 under $10 million, credited to the success fee at closing. A success fee of 5% of the first $10 million of transaction value, 4% of the second $10 million, 3% of the third, 2% of the fourth, and 1% above $40 million. A minimum success fee of $150,000: the fee at closing is the greater of $150,000 or the ladder amount, with retainer payments crediting against either.
Do you work with businesses below $1M or above $400M? +
No. We work with businesses from $1M to $400M. Below $1M, we'll point you toward marketplaces that are a better fit. Above $400M, we'll refer you to a bank we trust.
Are there businesses you turn away? +
Yes. If a business isn't ready operationally, financially, or because it's too dependent on the founder, we'll tell you and offer to help you get there.
Who reviews my financials? +
A principal on our team plus a senior analyst with deal-room experience. Everything is treated as confidential under NDA from the first conversation.
What happens if my deal falls through? +
Deals fall apart sometimes. When they do, we debrief, fix what we can, and bring the next round of buyers to the table. There's no penalty and no pressure to start over with a different advisor.