Athena M&A, Your Partner for Mergers and Acquisitions
Ensuring a successful transaction when you sell your company, thanks to our market knowledge, expert guidance, and white glove service.
What Sets Us Apart
Free market analysis with a realistic valuation opinion
A cursory review of your business before going to market to identify and anticipate buyer reactions
Industry knowledge of your business to help represent you to all potential buyers
Consistent and responsive communication
Organized, clear transaction process with each step clearly defined
Achieve your M&A goals with a radical approach
Thanks to a female-led team and collaboration by all involved, we utilize a straightforward, honest process while driving a successful outcome that maximizes value. Our personalized, invested approach is a stark contrast from many investment bankers and advisors.
In-person and remote options
Our past deals span nationwide with our team based in major metropolitan areas including Orlando, Boston, Seattle, and Cincinnati.
Services
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Transaction Strategy Development
Helping clients develop a clear strategy for pursuing a merger, acquisition, or sale that aligns with their business goals and objectives.
Market Analysis and Industry Research
Providing insights into market conditions, industry trends, and competitive landscape to identify potential opportunities or threats.
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Business Valuation
Conducting detailed financial analyses to determine the value of the business, using various valuation methodologies such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Comparable Company Analysis, and Precedent Transactions.
Fairness Opinions
Offering an independent assessment of the fairness of the proposed transaction terms from a financial perspective.
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Buyer/Target Identification
Identifying and evaluating potential buyers (in a sale process) or acquisition targets (in a buy-side process) that align with the client's strategic objectives.
Confidential Marketing
Developing marketing materials, such as a confidential information memorandum (CIM) or teaser, to present the business or target in the best light while maintaining confidentiality.
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Due Diligence Preparation
Assisting the client in preparing for due diligence by organizing and reviewing all necessary documents and information, such as financial statements, legal agreements, contracts, and operational data.
Facilitating Due Diligence
Coordinating the due diligence process between the buyer and seller to ensure a thorough and efficient review of all relevant aspects of the business.
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Negotiation Strategy
Developing a negotiation strategy that aligns with the client's objectives and maximizes value.
Leading Negotiations
Representing the client in negotiations with potential buyers or sellers to achieve favorable terms and conditions.
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Deal Structuring
Advising on the optimal structure of the transaction, including payment terms, tax implications, legal considerations, and other financial arrangements.
Financing and Capital Raising
Assisting in arranging financing for the transaction, which could include debt, equity, or other financial instruments.
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Reviewing Legal Documents
Working with legal counsel to review key transaction documents, such as letters of intent (LOI), purchase agreements, and shareholder agreements.
Closing Coordination
Managing the closing process, including ensuring all conditions are met, all documents are properly executed, and the transaction is finalized.
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Integration Planning
Helping the client develop and implement a plan for integrating the acquired business, including aligning organizational structures, systems, and cultures.
Transition Management
Assisting with the transition of ownership and management to ensure a smooth handover and minimize disruption to the business.
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Maintaining Confidentiality
Ensuring that sensitive information about the business and transaction is protected throughout the process.
Discreet Marketing and Communication
Handling communications with potential buyers, sellers, and stakeholders in a manner that maintains confidentiality and discretion.
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Resolving Disputes
Providing guidance and support in resolving conflicts that may arise during the negotiation and due diligence phases.
Mediation Services
Acting as a neutral party to help bridge differences between buyers and sellers, facilitating a smooth path to closing the deal.
Market knowledge for a credible and realistic valuation
A database of qualified financial or strategic buyers in your industry
Commitment to a successful transaction with an in-house Cursory Review conducted before going to market
Experienced process management and support until you close
Confidential auction process for multiple competitive offers and deal structure
A considerably higher likelihood of a successful transaction with our skilled advisors
Consistent and Responsive communication
Why Athena M&A?
A major study involving more than 4,000 transactions over a 20-year period estimated that sellers who hired an advisor received valuation premiums around 25 percent higher than those who did not. This study also found that around 99 percent of the 1,727 businesses sold by sophisticated institutional sellers involved an M&A Advisor.
Another study found that sellers represented by an M&A firm raked in an average EBITDA multiple 1.5 times higher with lower risk.
Our Process
Note that deal timelines vary greatly based on the size of the deal as well as the preparedness and commitment of both the buyer and seller.
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After circulating an NDA, we begin our engagement with a free Valuation Opinion (VO). This free, confidential conversation helps determine if your expectation of value aligns with the current market. This is based on the current and past financial performance of your business as well as market demand.
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When you decide to sign with Athena as your sell-side representation, we begin with a Cursory Review of your business to ensure you're ready to go to market. This includes a robust review of your financials and operational documentation- information that often de-rails a deal. This review often catches issues before they become problems, strengthening the likelihood of a successful transaction.
During this process, we also develop your Confidential Information Memorandum or CIM, and a financial analysis that will be used when presenting to buyers.
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After your approval of all marking information (your CIM and Financial analysis), we will generate a blind teaser- a 1 page document that highlights your business while keeping your specific geography, specific financial details, and identity confidential. This teaser goes out to our database of buyers. We collect NDA's from each interested buyer before sharing your secure data room containing your marketing information. We then communicate with buyers, answer questions, facilitate meetings and help generate multiple offers for your business.
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After meeting with prospective buyers, we will request formal, written offers from each buyer, called Letters of Intent (LOI). The LOI documents the basic deal structure. We help you review and understand each offer, providing much-needed guidance as you determine the best fit for you and your business.
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With a signed LOI, we enter into exclusivity with a buyer, who then conducts due diligence. A Quality of Earnings (QofE) is often the first step of diligence and is completed by the buyer to review your financial information. This usually solidifies the purchase price offered in the LOI. The buyer will then do their deep dive into the specifics of your company, including human resources, regulatory, and operations. This is the most arduous part of the process and takes the most time. Your commitment to this process greatly affects the timing.
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Once diligence is satisfied and the terms of the deal are finalized, a purchase agreement is circulated to sign. This document is the legally-binding sales agreement. It's important to have a qualified and experienced M&A attorney at this point. The deal is closed once this agreement is signed and the funds are released.
Rachel was always available to us. She played a useful role in an occasional “good cop, bad cop” scenario. As the seller and sole stockholder, I will admit to a measure of angst throughout the process. Rachel did a wonderful job of putting circumstances in perspective and assuring us that the transaction was proceeding toward a successful conclusion.
The sale of a family-owned business is as much, or more, about letting go of a labor in love as it is a financial transaction. Rachel lived through that with me for over a year. That was invaluable.
— NEAL O., FORMER CLIENT
