A strategic exit is a planned sale or transfer of your business, timed and structured to get the price, terms and handover you want. The main options are selling to a strategic buyer, a private equity firm, an individual buyer, your management team, your employees or your family.
Exit Advisor is a sell-side M&A advisory and business brokerage firm that helps owners of profitable businesses sell, in the US and internationally.
Talk Through Your Exit Options
Exit Strategy Options
| Exit route | Who buys | Often fits when |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic buyer | A competitor, supplier or company in a related market | The business fits their products, customers or territory |
| Private equity | An investment firm, often keeping you on for a period | Profit is steady and there's room to grow |
| Individual buyer | An owner-operator or search fund | Smaller, owner-run businesses priced on SDE |
| Management buyout | Your management team | A strong team wants to own it |
| Employee ownership (ESOP) | Your employees, through a trust | Keeping the culture and team matters most |
| Family succession | A family member | Someone in the family is ready and wants it |
| Wind down | No buyer; assets are sold | The business can't be sold as a going concern |
How to Choose Your Exit Strategy
Start with what you want
Price, cash at close, how long you stay, and what happens to your team. Those answers rule some routes out fast.
Check what buyers will pay for
Strategic buyers can pay more when the business fits theirs. Private equity looks for steady profit and a team that runs without you. What buyers look for
Work more than one route at once
Running strategic, financial and individual buyers side by side is how you find out which route pays most. Creating real buyer competition
When to Start Exit Planning
Before you're ready to sell. You don't need to commit to anything to find out what the business is worth and which routes are open. Early planning shows what would raise value, so any growth from here is aimed at what buyers pay for. When is the right time to sell
How Exit Advisor builds a business exit strategy with you: Business exit strategy
Exit Strategy FAQs
What is a strategic exit?
A strategic exit is a planned sale or transfer of a business, chosen and timed to meet the owner's goals for price, terms and handover. It's the opposite of selling in a hurry to the first buyer who calls.
What are the most common exit strategies for a small business?
Selling to an individual buyer, a competitor or a private equity firm, a management buyout, and passing the business to family. Selling to a third party is the most common route for profitable businesses.
How long does exit planning take?
From a few months to a few years, depending on how ready the business is. How long it takes to sell a business
Do I need an exit strategy consultant?
You need someone who has sold businesses and is on your side. Exit Advisor works only for the seller and helps you pick the route, prepare the business and run the sale.