Selling to a long term owner vs. private equity vs. a competitor

A competitor

Often knows your market and may pay for synergies. But they may merge your team, change your brand or close duplicate roles.

Private equity

Usually buys with a fund that must return money within a set period, often around five years. That typically means a plan to grow quickly and sell again, sometimes with significant debt.

A long term owner

Buys to hold, with no set date to sell. The focus is steady improvement and keeping what already works, the team, the name and the customers.

This is the approach The Higher League takes.

What to ask any buyer

How long do you plan to own it? What happens to my staff? How is the deal paid? Who will run it day to day?