ACQUISITION CRITERIA
We Are Specific About What We Buy. That Protects You as Much as It Protects Us.
Not every business is the right fit. Here is exactly what we look for, and what we do not.
oUR CRITERIA
What We Look For
We acquire established, profitable UK businesses from founders and families who are ready for their next chapter. Here is what fits:
EBITDA: £1M – £8M
Established profitability, not growth-stage speculation. This ensures the business is strong enough to operate independently and continue growing after the transition.
Revenue: £5M – £60M
Established businesses with real revenue and real customers. Not early-stage. Not speculative.
Margins: 20%+ Operating
Structural margin advantage, not cost-cutting opportunity. Healthy margins tell us the business is well-run.
B2B Recurring Revenue
Contract-based or subscription income with high retention. Businesses that start each month from zero are harder to value and harder to hold.
Management Team In Place
Business runs without daily founder dependency. We need a management team that can run the business day to day.
Diverse Customer Base
No single customer exceeding 20% of revenue. A diversified customer base means the business is not at risk if one relationship changes.
Asset-Backed Preferred
Tangible assets, contracts or IP adding balance sheet depth. We look for substance beyond just revenue.
Easy to understand product or service
If you cannot explain what your business does to your parents, it is probably too complex for us. We buy businesses we can understand clearly.
A strong position in your market
We look for businesses that have built something competitors cannot easily copy, whether that is a loyal customer base, a trusted brand, a niche reputation, or deep roots in a community.
A positive and ethical culture
We want businesses run by good people who do things the right way. Culture matters to us; it is what holds a business together after the founder leaves.
Deal type: Full buyouts, 100% control
We buy whole businesses. We do not take minority stakes or enter joint ventures. This gives both sides clarity and certainty.
Geography: UK-based
Our focus is the United Kingdom. The business should be headquartered and primarily operating in the UK.
Ownership: Founder-owned or family-owned
We buy from the people who built the business. Not from funds. Not from other investors. From the founders.
Team: Strong management that stays
We need a management team that can run the business day to day. We do not replace them; we invest in them.
Profile: Well-run, profitable, established
We are not turnaround specialists. We buy businesses that are already working. Our job is to help them continue.
Consistent track record: Three years or more
We want to see at least three years of profitable trading. This gives us confidence the business is stable, not riding a one-off wave.
HONESTY FIRST
What We Do Not Buy
Being honest about what falls outside our criteria saves everyone’s time, yours and ours.
- Early-stage or pre-revenue businesses. We need established, proven operations.
- Turnarounds or distressed businesses. We are not restructuring specialists.
- Businesses entirely dependent on the owner. If the business cannot operate without you, it is not ready for acquisition, but we can talk about how to get it there.
- Minority stakes or partial investments. We buy 100% or we do not buy.
- Businesses outside the UK. Our focus is the British market.
Why We Are This Specific
Discipline is not a limitation. It is a commitment.
Every criterion exists for a reason. We target businesses with strong margins because they can weather downturns. We require a management team because we do not replace people; we back them. We buy 100% because certainty matters to sellers and ambiguity does not.
We would rather walk away from ten deals that do not fit than force one that does not work. That protects the businesses we buy, the sellers we buy from, and the reputation we are building.
If Your Business Does Not Fit
If your business falls outside our criteria, we will tell you. Clearly and honestly.
Where a business is not the right fit for us, we maintain relationships with a network of experienced acquirers and may facilitate introductions where appropriate.
- Introductions to relevant, pre-qualified buyers
- Connections with serious acquirers actively looking to transact
- Ongoing involvement where helpful to keep discussions progressing
- Relationships built over time; many conversations lead to future opportunities
Even if we are not the right buyer today, we can still help you find the right one.
