so i started a boutique professional services firm some years back, and an investment firm has approached me who want to acquire it all and merge it with a bunch of other similar area firms.
Our company has no debt, 20 people, three global offices, all organic growth. We don't "NEED" the investment, we are doing great, but this will skyrocket our potential growth.
What are some questions I should ask investors during our initial meet? What are things I need to watch out for?
* Obviously, you need to understand their valuation model (EBITA-multiple, Revenue-multiple etc.)
* What's the operating model after the firms are merged? Who calls the shots? How many seats for you, the investors and the other founders (of other firms) on the board?
* What's the likely exit for the post-merger entity? (IPO is extremely unlikely for a professional services firm in 2018.)
* How will your team be protected from potential merger shakeout? (Personnel in Accounting, HR etc are always the target in such mergers.)
* How will the merger affect your company culture?
* Will they be comfortable in letting you talk to other founders/CEOs as part of due diligence?