In speaking to our clients we realised that to facilitate an acquisition or effect a trade sale was extremely expensive if using an Investment Bank. Indeed many Investment Banks will not work with clients unless they are prepared to pay six figure fees.

SSP understands that most clients want value for money and the expertise of working with an agent who understands the technology industry. These same clients also wanted an agent who has the resources and ability to match potential buyers and sellers alike on both a local and global scale if needed.

However, unlike Investment Banks, SSP can not only facilitate an “exit” but can help create the value of the business in all stages of a company’s growth and expansion both locally and globally. This, we believe, is a major differentiator from Investment banks who typically do not understand the unique qualities of the technology industry or have the desire to work with smaller, highly focused companies.

Such is our reputation, that SSP has worked with both publicly listed as well as private clients in both the “buy” and “sell” side. We have sold businesses to China. We have worked for US, UK, European and Indian clients in all markets.

We understand the key factors, expectations, time scales and processes in a trade sale and can help in every stage of the transaction with a pragmatic yet detached perspective necessary to achieve the best purchase and best valuation.

Why use an external agent?

Unless you are an experienced seller of businesses the learning curve in transacting a trade sale could prove extremely costly. Keeping your focus on building the value of the business should always be your priority.

In using an external agent such as SSP the benefits should be:

• A realistic price. An intermediary is often able to negotiate more objectively than the principals. We have the experience in structuring deals creatively to maximize the value our clients receive.
• Outside perspective. We bring an external, dispassionate view of your company, its markets, technology, and the financial opportunities that may exist for you.
• Easier negotiation. While ultimately the final decision will always reside with the client, we can handle all the rest of the business that's required to make a deal - or a series of deals - take place in a timely fashion.
• Greater probability of the deal happening. Our experience of navigating the sometimes torturous process of bringing a deal to closure means that it's more likely it will close successfully.
• Global reach. As we operate globally we can bring a whole new world of opportunities to your door.

Considering Selling?

Please follow the link to download our free booklet: Selling a privately owned technology business

Considering Buying?

SSP has undertaken identifying, qualifying and facilitating the conclusion of acquisitions for both publicly quoted and private companies all around the world.Typically the process is:

• We prepare a brief summary of your company to send to potential acquisition candidates
• We review matching companies on our proprietary databases
• We conduct additional research to identify new companies
• We write confidential letters to the CEOs of the target companies
• We follow up potential interest by telephone
• Interested companies sign NDA, with Power of Attorney granted to SSP to sign on your behalf.
• We send them your details
• We ask them to prepare a profile of their company to include: history, skills, knowledge, customers and basic financials
• We coordinate a shortlist with you
• We arrange initial meetings
• We advise on valuations and due diligence processes and coordinate trade sale processes with other parties