— Common M&A challenges faced by scale-ups and SMBs

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In today’s fast-moving markets, investors are increasingly pressuring scale-ups and SMBs to leverage M&A as a tool for accelerated growth and profitability. At the same time, they expect judicious use of capital, making the stakes higher than ever.Based on our previous corporate development roles and interactions with clients and backers, here are some of the common challenges companies face:

 

CEO & CFO overload: While the CEO and CFO play a pivotal role in M&A processes, they are often already stretched thin managing day-to-day operations and executing strategic initiatives. Balancing these responsibilities with the demands of a complex deal can create significant strain

 

Market dynamics & timing risks: Valuation deratings, ongoing market consolidation, and competitive pressures make M&A an attractive growth strategy—but also introduce complexity and timing risk. Identifying the right target at the right time is never straightforward

 

Strategic alignment with growth goals: Ensuring that M&A decisions align with broader corporate strategy is crucial. Pursuing the wrong opportunity—or overextending in a non-core area—can divert focus from the core business and erode value

 

Lack of in-house expertise: Many scale-ups and SMBs lack dedicated M&A teams and the internal capabilities required for smooth execution and post-acquisition integration. They often face a clear dilemma: M&A is becoming an attractive growth lever, but it’s not yet clear if there will be enough deal flow in the long term to justify hiring a full-time M&A professional. This can lead to an underwhelming experience for the hire and make companies hesitant to commit. As a result, many opt for a “do-it-yourself” approach, which can lead to delays, missteps, or unrealized synergies

 

 

How we help 

Our Corporate Development service is designed to support both strategic buyers and PE investors in navigating these challenges. From target identification and due diligence to deal structuring and post-merger integration, we provide end-to-end guidance—allowing CEOs and CFOs to focus on running their business while unlocking M&A-driven growth.M&A doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right expertise, it becomes a powerful lever for strategic expansion.