Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory

A Neumann & Associates, LLC

July 9, 2014

Fund Raising – On the Buy and Sell Side!

By Joseph Eneldas

business-buyers

One recurring theme in recent weeks that we are seeing in the news, as well as in our business interactions is  the continued need for small to mid-sized businesses to obtain funding. “Whereas we have seen banks being more prepared to issue loans these days throughout the region we serve (the corridor generally stretching from Albany to Baltimore), we also have seen many business owners not finding the banks in a lending “mood” and thus, continuing to have challenges in meeting the financing needs for their business,” says Achim Neumann, President A Neumann & Associates, a New Jersey based M&A advisory and business brokerage firm. “As a matter of fact, quite often we are approached by a business owner with the need to search for an investor to inject much needed equity capital into a company as an alternative to debt funding”.

Moreover, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Loan Scheme Delivers Blow To Small Business, underlines the challenges many businesses face in raising funds. Said article outlines several challenges, including what is called “Advanced-Fee loan Schemes”, and the often dishonest agenda of questionable loan brokers.

“We have seen quite a few (buy side) investors try to raise funds for acquisitions by way of advanced fee loans,” says Frank Arcoleo, Managing Director of A Neumann & Associates, Lancaster, PA. “essentially, such investors try to leverage the acquisition, and their targeted returns, by raising debt. However, we have been cautioning such buyers again and again to be very diligent in evaluating their sources.”

Still, the increased number of requests for help in finding suitable investors seems to indicate the need on the side of current business owners to expand the scope of capital raising venues. Said owners have often exhausted their traditional banking relationships and their existing banking partners – banks, due to a potential internal policy change might not be willing to lend to a certain company anymore, or perhaps have decided to withdraw from a particular market segment altogether, for example, the logistics and trucking market.

“It is in their need to raise funds that these business owners approach our firm for the services we provide,” says Michael “Mick” Feite, Managing Director, Doylestown, PA. ”for us,  the sale of a whole company or a portion thereof, are essentially  the same process.”

To improve the probability of success and speed the process, the first step is to preform an appraisal (what is commonly referred to as a “valuation”) through a national independent accredited valuation firm, thus, establishing a Fair Market Value for the entire entity. Then  the business owner needs to determine how much money is to be raised by selling a certain percentage of the company. In taking on an equity investor, it is important that the business owner feels comfortable in entering into a partnership, whether it be on a majority or minority basis.

Once such decisions have been made, A Neumann & Associates, will then access its deep pool of investors searching for “passive” investment opportunities.  With an abundance of available liquid private capital seeking suitable investments, this process can usually be completed within three to six months.

Needless to say, that the actual matching process in a partial acquisition (equity investment) might be a little bit more challenging than a full sale due to the compatibility requirements between the business owner’s objectives and the investor’s objectives. For example, a business owner seeking a long – term capital injection to continue growing the business would most certainly be in conflict with an investor’s objective to sell the company in three years at a premium.

On the other side, companies with an established and disciplined financial reporting system, formal management structure, and proven growth record with nice margins, will not have any challenges in finding the right investors.

For a thorough discussion, and to learn more about opportunities in finding investors or investing into a business, please contact any one of the firm’s Managing Directors or visit us at our upcoming workshop on June 19, 2014 at the Double Tree Resort By Hilton, Lancaster, PA.


About A Neumann & Associates, LLC

A Neumann & Associates, LLC is a professional mergers & acquisitions and business brokerage firm having assisted business owners and buyers in the business valuation and business transfer process through its affiliations for the past 30 years. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, the company has senior trusted professionals with a deep knowledge based in multiple field offices along the East Coast and has performed hundreds of business valuations in its history. The firm’s competitive transaction fees are based on successfully completing transactions. For more information, please contact A Neumann & Associates at 732-872-6777 or info@neumannassociates.com

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Client Testimonials

“ I appreciate your diligent approach to screening buyers and sellers as well as the high quality CIM that you produce.”

Andrey O, Investor

“Finally enjoying retirement after recently selling my business using the services of A Neumann & Associates. Joe Oddo provided the conduit to a successful transaction. Joe knew when to inject input and when to simply listen and allow the buyers to vent, step back and regroup. The outcome met our expectations and got us to the finish line, which included my staying with the company six months in order for the buyers to get their footing and keep our workforce in the loop. He helped at every step by providing his expert guidance & resources. Thank you!”

Emily Parker Myers, Co-Owner - Myers McRae

“I had been in touch with Karin and Gary from A Neumann & Associates regarding some opportunities and was looking forward to meeting with them. Hence, when they organized a seminar in Princeton, NJ, I was quick to sign up. The seminar was very informative as the team walked the attendees through various scenarios and referenced real life buying/selling situations they had been through. The sessions by Gary, Karin and Achim were crisp and focused and brought clarity to potential seller and buyers. I strongly recommend the team and look forward to continue working with them.”

Gaurav Tyagi

“Thank you for your Event on "How to value, Sell, and Buy A Business for Maximum Profit" and the insight into ANA’s approach on what is involved in the Business Exit for sellers. Garys Hervieiou's "Business Valuation", Achim's "Deal structure" presentation and Karin’s "Preparing the Package" are real street knowledge shared. They answered attendees questions which makes it more interesting for learning from others. Great for small businesses like us. The presentations were totally worth our time and travel for the event to Princeton, NJ from Rockville MD. Ravi Bhutani, President, CIPS”

Ravi Bhutani

“Gary, this is to thank you for an excellent job done in selling our business. We could never have done it without your professional expertise, dedication and time put in without reservation to make it happen. We will gladly and highly recommend you to anybody in our position.  It was a pleasure to work with you.”

Pat Iammatteo, Owner

“Your vetting is simply outstanding, among the best I've seen from a broker.”

Eric H., Investor

“I recently contacted A. Neumann and Associates about getting a valuation of my business done. I spoke with Marc, who explained the process in detail. After meeting with Marc in order to get a clear understanding of my business, and what I was hoping to accomplish. His patience in answering all my questions and his knowledge of the proper way to market my business gave me great confidence that this is the firm I will be using to sell my business for max value. Working with Marc at A Neumann & Associates was very easy and professional. I did not know all that was going to be involved in selling my business but they helped me through the process. What I thought was going to be a just another one of those pushy sales companies was just the opposite. Polite, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to and deal with. I highly recommend this firm to anybody who wants to sell now or down the road. Marc not only knows his stuff, but actually is a real nice guy.”

Double Diamond

“Used A Neumann & Associates to sale my business. could not imagine having done it with out the patience and experience Gary provided. Thanks Gary,”

Dennis Frazier

“Working with Marc and his company was a pleasure. What I thought was going to be a just another one of those pushy sales companies was just the opposite. Polite, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to and deal with. Marc handled most of the interaction and he has one of the greatest demeanors. Again, it was a pleasure working with him and his firm.”

Douglas DiCeglio

“I recently completed an acquisition using A Neumann & Associates. Tony Valentino was very helpful and accessible during the entire process. They do a thorough job vetting both parties and got us to the finish line.”

Srini Mudambi
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Contact A Neumann & Associates, LLC

If you are considering selling your business, please contact us to learn more about our comprehensive service spectrum. Our experienced professionals will answer all your questions about selling a privately held business in complete confidentiality. Please fill out our contact form, or call us at 732-872-6777. We will contact you directly and will never identify ourselves to your employees.

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