Technology Company
I would certainly recommend VR and would use them again if I had the need. They kept their promises, worked hard and sold my business to a buyer from across the country. Choosing VR was one of the best decisions I ever made with my business.
Sign Code
Mohan and Troy at VR were great to work with. The entire process was great. They really know their business.
eSupplyStore
Troy - thank you for all your hard work with eSupplyStore. I know we found the right buyer at the right price. I don't see how the process could have gone any smoother.
Learning Center
VR did an excellent job of selling my franchise. This is actually the second time that I have used their services and I have been impressed both times.
Health Gazette
I owned the Health Gazette for over 30 years and it was important for me to find the right buyer. VR gave us a fair market value for the business and sold it for exactly that amount. I could not have been more pleased.
VR really took the time to understand my needs. I think their expertise was a big reason the transaction happened.
Publishing Company
VR stood out from the competition. They were the best fit when it came to selling my business.
Retail Bookstore
I was extremely impressed with VR. They approached the sale of my business with a very professional system. I knew my business wasn't large, but I still got a high level of service. I would certainly recommend VR to anyone thinking about selling their business.
Diamond Design
I hired VR to sell me construction company. They worked hard through the whole process and found the right buyer. They did a great job and I would use them again.
Sylvan
I wanted to send a note and thank you for all your hard work. This has been a great experience and I really enjoyed working with VR.
Pure Air Systems
I tried other brokers in town and they just put some ad in the newspapaer and it didn't result in much.
Carrell Welding
VR did a very good job for us. They set the price for my business, found the buyer, and worked through all the details.
Commercial Business Systems
I first used another brokerage company to try and sell my business, but it did not work. VR was totally different, very professional and they sold my business for almost full asking price.
TheEasyForms.com
VR exceeded my expectations in selling my online business. I got the full asking price of the business. We got several offers within the first couple of weeks. The entire process took less than 6 weeks from start to finish.
Middle Market Sales Overview
Our “middle market” division services businesses valued $2 million to $20 million in value. Our “small market” division generally handles businesses less than $2 million in value.
While our middle market division is not legally a separate entity, the procedures and processes we employ can be different from those applied in our small market division. The time required by our intermediaries to effect a transaction may be 5-10 times greater for a middle market transaction, up to 500-1,000 hours.
Whether a business is more appropriate served by our middle vs. small market division is not a black and white question, and it is not based only on value. A variety of other factors are considered, including:
Likely and/or targeted buyers or sellers are “strategic” (in client’s industry), which greatly increases the risk associated with a confidentiality breach and the complexity of negotiations and valuation (due to potential synergies)
Annual revenues of the business (> $10 million is generally middle market) and/or number of employees (> 20 typically)
Depth and complexity of technology, intellectual property and skills required to operate the business.
Probability that any transaction will be effected as a securities transaction and / or will involve a sale of only a portion of the company’s equity or assets
The objective is to raise equity or obtain debt financing.
A partial sample of the important differences between the middle and small markets transactions and processes are summarized in the table below:
Factor | Small Market | Middle Market |
| Time and actions to position the company for sale | Most go straight to market | Ideally position the company for sale over 3-5 years |
| Importance of seller management team | Minor consideration | Can have a significant impact on value |
| Financial statements | Seller prepared or CPA compiled | CPA reviewed or audited |
| Type of sale | 95% asset sale | 60% are securities sales |
| Buyer purchases | All the assets of seller, excluding A/A and cash | All of the assets including working capital; or a portion of the equity |
| Buyer is seeking | A job | An investment |
| Marketing approach | Through standard marketing channels | Highly customized to target most likely buyers |
| Strategic (industry) buyers | Generally avoided to protect confidentiality | Usually a primary focus, especially above $5 million |
| Private equity buyers | Does not apply | Often a primary focus |
| Marketing price | Asking price clearly stated in prospectus | When pitched to strategic buyers, no stated asking price |
| Buyer negotiation | Sequential, one on one | Simultaneous controlled auction |
| Common financing sources | Home equity, retirement accounts, seller financing, SBA loans | Commercial banks, public companies, private equity, mezzanine financing |
| Deal structure | Generally pretty simple | Can be exceptionally complex |
| Elapsed time from engagement to closing | 4 - 8 months | 8 - 18 months |
| Seller involvement post sale | 1/2 - 3 months | 3 months to 3 years |
Regardless of small or middle market, at VR, we believe that our compensation should be success based. Because of that, you will not be pitched $40,000 packaging fees from salespersons at seminars. Rather, you will work closely with one of our principals whose income is dependent upon their ability to properly package, market, and sell your company. Our financial success is directly tied to meeting your expectations. We package List and sell your business with NO Upfront Fee including packaging and marketing fees.
