M&A
Automation in Investment Banking
The largest technology companies in the world are throwing their capital at automation and artificial intelligence. Even the hamburger flipper is becoming fearful…
September 30, 2014Insights
M&A insights & market research
Perspective on valuation, deal structure, and sector dynamics across the middle market — written for founders, owners, and investors.
M&A
Horizon Pharma #RTO of Vidara Therapeutics on NASDAQ
This news initially came yesterday and the deal was set to be closed as of today . The� reverse takeover by Horizon Pharma of Vidara Therapeutics represents a…
September 19, 2014M&A
HR 5405: Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act Passes House
Late Tuesday, the House passed HR 5405 , Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, by a roll call vote of 320-102. HR 5405 includes provisions…
September 17, 2014M&A
Valuation Multiples
When you look at company valuations , they�re often presented as a multiple of some metric. Common metrics include: EBITDA, EBIT, NOPAT, sales, and book value. For…
September 15, 2014M&A
Equitynet's True Untapped Potential
Although not yet fully implemented, the JOBS Act promises to be a complete game-changer for the capital markets. I don't think we're truly cognizant of how huge the…
September 10, 2014M&A
Drones & 3D Printing -- What's Next?
Going public early through the cheaper "back door" always seems favors companies poised at high growth markets. Traditionally new technology, changes in regulation…
September 9, 2014M&A
Why MLMs Make Some of the Best Reverse Merger Targets
I personally know some folks who have done extremely well starting and establishing network marketing companies. Those that start the companies are the ones that…
September 8, 2014M&A
Fintech Will Make Traditional Investment Banking a Thing of the Past
Given that the only constant is change, news soundbites touting a world in flux are less surprising. However, that does not mean that we turn a blind eye to how…
September 6, 2014M&A
Getting High on Marijuana RTOs
There have been an overabundance of marijuana RTOs in the news lately . So much so that the SEC has even issued a warning regarding investing in these securities.…
September 5, 2014M&A
The Bleak Future of Private Equity
There�s no avoiding the reality: we are in a seller�s market right now, and that�s wreaking havoc on private equity firms .As a result of the current climate, there…
September 4, 2014M&A
When Will You Need a Full Proxy Statement
The nuances and changes that naturally occur throughout the reverse merger process will often require approval from the shareholders from a solicitation referred to…
September 1, 2014M&A
Dilution: No Money with It, No Money without It
How is it that Venture Capital (VC) firms receive distributions ten times greater than entrepreneurs when a company goes public? For many this seems illogical and…
August 30, 2014M&A
How to Take a Company Public
Assessing the "going public" decision is certainly one of magnitude. Most large IPOs make headlines with their massive valuations (and often over-valuations) and…
August 27, 2014M&A
409A Valuations � Employee Stock Option Plan Solutions
In my� previous article, I talked about why 409a valuations are necessary , especially for startups who want to recruit top-talent employees and incentivize them to…
August 25, 2014M&A
409a Valuations: Background & History
The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) is the domestic portion of federal statutory tax law in the United States implemented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRC…
August 19, 2014M&A
Startup Business & Personal Audit: A Complete Entrepreneurial Assessment Guide
So you have decided to start and run your own business, but have you given any thought as to the lifestyle you want to have? Depending upon what type of business…
August 11, 2014M&A
Common Problems with PPMs and Angel Investors
Startup businesses have several funding options available. One of the most popular forms of funding is to partner with an angel investor. An angel investor is an…
August 10, 2014M&A
Two Certainties: Death & Taxes
What do the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Singapore, Ireland, and Bermuda have in common? Perhaps the term �tax haven� rings a bell.According to the…
August 9, 2014M&A
Timing Considerations When Selling Your Business
While we are constantly looking for ways to simplify and otherwise dis-intermediate the process of selling a business, the fact of the matter is, selling a company…
July 31, 2014M&A
Reasons Your Business Ain't Worth 10X + A Few Ways to Get a Higher Multiple
We work with a lot of individual buyers. They're a great group of scrappy entrepreneurs many of whom have built businesses from nothing and frequently have left…
July 16, 2014M&A
How Do I Sell a Business? Consider an ESOP
It can be hard for a private business owner to find the best way to exit, and rightfully so. There are pros and cons to any exit , so they have to think hard about…
July 4, 2014M&A
G.E.'s Bid for Alstom: Getting a Mutually Agreeable M&A Deal Done
Recently, a final bid was approved by the French government for General Electric Co.�s acquisition of Alstom SA. Although the two companies have been in…
June 27, 2014M&A
The Impact of Blockchain on Investment Banking
As blockchain continues to march at the forefront of the fintech boom, we can clearly see the ramifications for system efficiency and simplification across the…
June 21, 2014M&A
Improving the Perceived Value of a Business
Many business owners are hesitant to sell their business ��what is probably their largest asset � unless a sexy opportunity comes along; for some that opportunity…
June 13, 2014