Selling a Business Without a Broker
Keep your equity and your privacy. How to execute a direct private acquisition and bypass traditional 6-10% brokerage fees.
👉 Request a Confidential CallCan you sell a business without a broker?
Yes. A direct private acquisition eliminates the need for public listings, avoids the standard 6-10% broker commission, and significantly reduces the timeline from listing to closing. This approach is ideal for owners prioritizing confidentiality, speed, and maximizing their net proceeds.
The 5 Steps of a Direct Acquisition
Selling your business or portfolio privately follows a streamlined trajectory, eliminating the friction of market listings and third-party intermediaries.
1 Initial Confidential Alignment
Instead of creating a public prospectus, the process begins with a direct, confidential conversation. This phase aims to understand your transition goals, timeline, and whether a direct acquisition aligns with your desired outcome.
2 High-Level Financial Review
You provide high-level financials directly to the acquiring principal. Because there are no broker fees to factor in, the valuation focuses purely on the operational reality of the asset.
3 The Letter of Intent (LOI)
If the alignment and financials make sense, a Letter of Intent is drafted. This document outlines the proposed purchase price, terms, and the expected timeline, serving as a formal roadmap for the transition.
4 Direct Due Diligence
Due diligence is conducted quietly and sequentially. Since you are working directly with the buyer, requests are purposeful and focused on verifying the asset's health without alerting staff or competitors.
5 Closing and Transition
With diligence complete, final purchase agreements are signed. Capital is deployed directly, and ownership transfers seamlessly, often with an agreed-upon handover period to ensure operational continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I save by not using a broker?
Business brokers typically charge a success fee of 6% to 10% of the total purchase price. On a $2M asset, a direct sale saves you between $120,000 and $200,000 in equity.
Does a direct sale provide legal protection?
Yes. Both parties still utilize strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and engage specialized M&A attorneys to draft and review the final closing documents, ensuring full legal protection.
Will my employees find out?
A direct sale is the most reliable way to prevent staff from finding out prematurely. Without public listings or broker-led site visits, confidentiality remains completely intact until you are ready to announce the transition.
Start With a Confidential Conversation
If you are exploring a direct, private acquisition to preserve your equity and confidentiality, we are ready to listen.
👉 Request a Confidential Call