FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on the model, who it's for and working together.
What is the Build · Scale · Exit model?+
A method for turning a good company into a group private equity competes to buy. Build the platform, scale it by acquisition, then exit for a life-changing number.
Who is this for?+
Owners of profitable £1m–£10m companies with EBITDA of £500k to £1m who want a real exit, not a lifestyle business.
How do we start working together?+
It starts with a strategy call. We work out if there's a fit and what the path from here to a life-changing exit looks like.
Do I need acquisition experience?+
No. Most of the founders we work with have never bought another business. That's the point of the model — we bring the acquisition capability alongside you. You keep running your business while we source, negotiate, integrate and prepare the group for exit.
How long does the process typically take?+
From first acquisition to a PE-ready exit is typically three to five years. The Twin-Track approach runs the build and scale phases in parallel, which compresses the timeline significantly compared to doing one after the other.
What does it cost?+
It starts with a paid diagnostic — typically £10,000 — which gives you a clear picture of where the business is today and what needs to change. From there, we work on a monthly retainer plus an equity stake that aligns our incentives with yours. We only do well when you exit well.
Do I need to sell 100% or can I retain equity?+
Most founders retain equity in the group. Private equity buyers often want the founder to stay involved post-acquisition — and they reward founders who roll equity into the new structure. The exact split depends on the deal, but you typically don't walk away completely on day one.
What kind of businesses do you acquire?+
We focus on profitable UK businesses in the £1m–£10m revenue range with recurring or repeatable revenue. Sector matters less than the fundamentals: healthy margins, a team that can operate without the owner, and a product or service that scales. We look for businesses where integration creates real value, not just bigger numbers.
How do you handle integration of acquired businesses?+
Integration is where most buy-and-build strategies fail. We bring each acquisition onto the platform's systems, processes and reporting structure as quickly as possible — one set of numbers, one way of working. The goal is that every business we acquire makes the group stronger, not just bigger.
What happens to my existing team?+
Your team is part of the value. We're not coming in to replace them — we're coming in to give them the structure, systems and leadership they need to perform at a higher level. If the business is too dependent on you, that's the first thing we fix. The end state is a team that runs the business without you having to be there every day.
What makes you different from a traditional M&A adviser?+
Traditional advisers help you sell what you've already built. We help you build something worth selling first. We stay alongside you through the entire journey — from fixing the platform, to doing the deals, to preparing the exit. We don't hand you a report and disappear.
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