—  Why Scale-ups and SMBs need a dedicate outsourced Corp Dev partner for M&A

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Embarking on an acquisition is a journey. From initial contact to closing, most M&A processes take 6–12 months. It’s not rocket science—but there are many cross-roads to navigate, and the process demands both manpower and resources.

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As a rule, acquisition processes should not be handled by someone who is still learning on the job. The potential for expensive mistakes is high, and even small missteps can jeopardize the deal and the company’s performance:

• It’s common for board members or leadership team members to become deeply involved in acquisitions—but this often comes at a cost. Over 6–12 months, the operational responsibilities of these key executives, particularly the CEO, can suffer. If the deal doesn’t go through, the company may experience slower sales or missed growth targets, raising concerns among shareholders and the board

• Larger companies may have internal corporate development teams capable of managing acquisitions. But even these teams are often stretched across multiple projects, and their availability for an acquisition can be limited. From experience, when representing sellers, the so-called “M&A responsible” is often already tied up with internal growth projects, which slows the process and risks execution quality.

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Traditional investment banks and boutiques bring expertise—but they are expensive and highly deal-oriented. For smaller transactions or uncertain deals, banks may prioritize opportunities with higher potential success fees, sometimes over €300,000, leaving SMBs underserved.

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This creates a real gap: smaller companies often cannot hire or retain in-house M&A talent, nor can they attract quality advisory firms for smaller deals. And yet, these companies deserve the same opportunities for growth through acquisitions as larger organizations.

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How we help 

We provide an outsourced corporate development function—effectively acting as your in-house M&A team without the high salary burden. Our service bridges the gap between internal resources and traditional investment banks, offering:

• Full responsibility for the acquisition process, from target identification to closing

• Lower success fees than traditional banks

• Flexibility to handle single projects or multiple acquisitions simultaneously

• Deep understanding of all parties involved, ensuring smoother negotiations and outcomes

What sets us apart is experience. We’ve been on all sides of the negotiation table in over 100 acquisitions—advising buyers and sellers, representing acquiring companies, and supporting selling companies. This multi-perspective insight allows us to anticipate challenges and execute efficiently, delivering value without overburdening your leadership team.

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M&A doesn’t have to distract your CEO or CFO from running the business. With the right corporate development partner, it becomes a powerful lever for strategic growth—even for scale-ups and SMBs.

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