Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Primer
A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a corporate acquisition where the buyer (typically a private equity firm or family office) finances the majority of the purchase price through a combination of debt and equity. The goal is to grow the company's revenue and EBITDA, reduce the debt load, and exit within three to five years.
Finding the Right Buyer for Your Family-Owned Business
Choosing the correct buyer is the most critical decision when deciding to sell your business. We detail the types of M&A buyers–strategic vs financial - and how business owners can best navigate the sale process.
Q1 2026 M&A Activity: Large Deals Drive Volume
Enthusiasm for M&A in 2026 started strong, but total volume has been driven by large deals. Learn how family-owned businesses are navigating the M&A environment and what you can do today to prepare for a sale.
3 Critical Steps: Building a Shareholder Liquidity Strategy for Private Family-Owned Businesses
Learn how to build a proactive shareholder liquidity strategy for private and family-owned businesses, including liquidity event planning and capital structure considerations.
Founder’s Guide to Understanding M&A Deal Structures
Deal structure is just as important as the headline price when selling your business. Asset sale, stock sale or merger - what you ultimately decide impacts your final net proceeds.
Mergers and Acquisitions for Family Business Owners & Founders
Explore Keene Advisors' series on Mergers and Acquisitions to help family-owned and founder-led businesses prepare for a sale and navigate a successful exit.
Thinking About Selling Your Business?
Business owners and founders - are you thinking about selling your company? The Keene Advisors team of investment bankers has compiled our top advice into a free whitepaper to provide you with for a roadmap to a successful exit. Prepare now to maximize your outcome.
Key Steps to Closing the Sale of Your Business
The closing phase of a business sale is one of the most underestimated stages in the M&A process. Executive leadership and M&A advisors work diligently to ensure a smooth, timely close by managing key stakeholders and verifying legal and financial conditions. This helps sellers minimize liability and achieve an optimal outcome.
Q1-25: M&A Activity Stalling Amid Market Uncertainty
M&A activity showed signs of recovery in late 2024, but market uncertainty in early 2025 has stalled deal momentum. Despite declining borrowing costs and a record $2.6 trillion in private equity dry powder, investor hesitation has grown due to unpredictable trade and economic policies. Companies considering a sale should focus on financial preparedness and operational efficiencies to position themselves for success when dealmaking accelerates.
Preparing for the M&A Process: 3 Key Steps to Sell Your Business
Selling your business is a complex process - early preparation is key to success. We cover the most impactful 3 steps to take today, including internal business reviews, key performance metrics, and adjusted EBITDA.