The Winning M&A Advisor [Volume 1, Issue 10]

Welcome to the latest issue of The Winning M&A Advisor, the Axial publication that anonymously unpacks data, fees, and terms from the winning M&A engagement letters of professional M&A advisors using Axial to win new sell-side business.

Below, we outline the engagement letter terms that ultimately resonated with the business owner, including retainer structure, success fees, engagement duration, and post-termination protections—providing a transparent look at what “winning” terms can look like in today’s market.

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Behind The Win:

As part of every Advisor Finder process, we ask the business owner to provide a rationale for hiring a given advisor. The following attributes contributed to the selection of the Winning M&A Advisor:

1. Industry Expertise: The advisor demonstrated a deep understanding of the business and its industry, giving the owner confidence that they could position the company effectively with the right buyers.
2. Value Over Fees: While this advisor’s fee was higher than competing firms, the owner believed they were the most capable of getting a deal done and was willing to pay a premium when the value clearly justified the additional cost.
3. Buyer Philosophy Alignment: The advisor shared the owner’s goal of finding a buyer who would continue and grow the business—not simply financial investors—helping protect the company’s long-term legacy.
4. Professional Presence: Strong preparation and high-quality pre-engagement meetings reinforced the perception that this advisor had the resources and experience to run a successful sale process.

Axial is the trusted deal platform serving the lower middle market ($2.5-$250M TEV).

Over 3,500 advisory firms and 3,000 corporate and financial buyers have joined Axial to efficiently connect with relevant capital partners, source actionable deals, and build new relationships.

Visit the Closed Deals page to see selected transactions that have been sourced and closed via Axial.

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