Expert Sell Side M&A Advisory for Business Owners Ready to Exit
ESelling a business is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Whether it’s time to retire, move on, or capitalize on growth, having the right sell side M&A advisory team by your side can make all the difference. At Highline Advisory, we help business owners prepare, market, negotiate, and close successful deals that reflect the full value of what they’ve built.
Our experienced M&A advisors understand the complexity of selling a business. We manage every detail of the sell side M&A process with care—so you can focus on the future.
What Is Sell Side M&A?
Sell side M&A refers to the process of selling a business, either through a merger or an acquisition. It’s the opposite of buy side M&A, where a company is looking to purchase another. On the sell side, the goal is to:
Position the company attractively to potential buyers
Create a competitive buyer landscape
Maximize sale price and terms
Protect confidentiality
Ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish
At Highline, our sell side M&A advisory services are tailored to each client’s goals, industry, and timeline.
Why Choose Highline for Sell Side M&A Advisory?
Selling a company is more than just putting it on the market. It requires strategy, preparation, and expert execution. Highline’s sell side M&A advisory team brings years of deal experience, deep industry knowledge, and a strong buyer network to every transaction.
We help clients:
Understand true business value
Prepare strong marketing materials and financials
Identify and approach qualified buyers
Manage negotiations and due diligence
Close with confidence
Whether you're comparing buy side vs sell side M&A options or actively planning a sale, we’ll walk you through the process and drive results.
Our Sell Side M&A Process
Highline’s sell side M&A process is structured, transparent, and proven to get results. We handle everything from early planning to final signatures, ensuring no detail is missed
Exit Planning & Strategy
We begin by understanding your goals—retirement, liquidity, growth partner, etc.—and create a roadmap that supports your timeline and expectations.
Buyer Outreach
We reach out to a mix of strategic and financial buyers through both on-market and off-market channels. Our goal is to create multiple offers and leverage competitive tension.
Due Diligence & Closing
We coordinate financial, legal, and operational due diligence and keep the deal moving forward until closing. We work closely with your lawyers, accountants, and internal team.
Valuation & Positioning
We conduct a comprehensive business valuation and help you position your company to attract top buyers. This includes preparing a confidential
Negotiation & Deal Structuring
We ha ndle negotiations and help structure the deal in a way that protects your interests. This includes working through LOIs, purchase agreements, and terms that support your future.
Sell Side Merger and Acquisitions: Real Results
*
Sell Side Merger and Acquisitions: Real Results *
Our sell side merger and acquisitions services have helped dozens of founders and business owners secure strong exits. Whether selling to private equity, a competitor, or an international buyer, we help position your business to achieve maximum value.
Industries we serve include:
Each industry has unique buyer types, valuation methods, and timing. Our sector-specific knowledge gives you a competitive edge.
Buy Side vs Sell Side M&A: What’s the Difference?
Many clients ask, “What’s the difference between buy side vs sell side M&A?” Here's a quick breakdown:
Highline has deep experience on both sides of the table. Our buy side M&A advisory team works closely with our sell side experts to anticipate how buyers think—giving you an advantage during negotiations.
-
Objective
Advisor Role
Common Clients
Focus
-
Acquire a business
Finds targets, evaluates fit
Corporations, private equity
Synergies, growth
-
Sell a business
Markets business, finds buyers
Founders, business owners
Value maximization, clean exit
Preparing for a Successful Exit
Great deals don’t happen by accident. Successful sell side M&A starts with great preparation. Here’s how we help you get ready:
Financial Cleanup: We ensure your books are accurate and presentable
Growth Story Development: We craft a compelling story of performance and potential
Key Metrics Focus: We highlight the KPIs buyers care about most
Risk Assessment: We identify and address red flags in advance
Staff Planning: We help prepare your leadership team for transition
By the time we go to market, your business is ready for serious buyers.
Who We Work With
Who We Work With
Highline works with companies in the lower and middle market—typically with $5M–$200M in revenue. Our clients include:
Founders planning retirement or exit
Family-owned businesses looking to cash out
Private equity firms exiting portfolio companies
Corporations divesting non-core divisions
If you’re not sure whether now is the right time to sell, we’re happy to provide a free valuation and strategic review.
Sell Side M&A: Timeline to Expect
A standard sell side M&A process takes 6 to 9 months. Here's a typical timeline:
-
Prep & Valuation
Buyer Outreach
Management Meetings
LOI & Diligence
Deal Closing
-
1–4
5–10
11–13
14–20
21–26
Why Highline Advisory?
There are many M&A firms out there—but few with the focus, transparency, and execution of Highline. Here's what sets us apart:
Deal experience across multiple industries
〰️
Access to top-tier buyers (strategic + financial)
〰️
Deep expertise in valuations, positioning, and negotiations
〰️
End-to-end support—strategy through closing
Deal experience across multiple industries 〰️ Access to top-tier buyers (strategic + financial) 〰️ Deep expertise in valuations, positioning, and negotiations 〰️ End-to-end support—strategy through closing
Internal Linking & Next Steps
If you're also exploring acquisitions, visit our Buy Side M&A Advisory page.
Interested in specialized guidance? Explore our industry-specific pages for Retail, Oil, and Manufacturing.
Let’s Plan Your Exit—Start With a Conversation
Selling your business is a major milestone. Highline is here to make sure it’s also a smart, successful, and rewarding one.
Schedule a confidential consultation today with our sell side M&A advisory team. Let’s explore your goals, answer your questions, and begin building a path to a high-value exit.