Acquisition Finance

Acquisition finance for business purchases

Acquisition finance can support business purchases, management buyouts and strategic growth acquisitions where the buyer, target and deal structure can be evidenced.

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Business purchase documents and acquisition funding review
Useful for Buying a business

Can suit company purchases, management buyouts, buy-ins, succession plans and growth acquisitions.

Helpful evidence Target accounts

Target company accounts, buyer contribution, heads of terms and management information help shape the case.

Watch point Deal structure

Deferred consideration, security, buyer experience and post-completion cash flow can all affect lender appetite.

When acquisition finance may fit

Acquisition finance may fit where a business owner, management team or company is looking to purchase another trading business. It can be relevant for strategic acquisitions, management buyouts, management buy-ins, succession planning or expansion through buying a competitor or complementary firm.

It is usually more involved than a standard working capital request because lenders need to understand the buyer, the target business and the deal structure together.

What lenders usually look at

Lenders may review the buyer's experience, contribution, existing business performance, target accounts, management information, deal valuation, affordability, sector risk, security and repayment plan.

A strong acquisition case usually explains why the business is being bought, how it will be run after completion and how debt will be serviced without starving the business of working capital.

What helps the enquiry

Helpful details include purchase price, buyer contribution, target accounts, heads of terms, valuation rationale, deferred consideration, working capital requirement, completion timing and any security available.

If the acquisition also needs stock, equipment or invoice-led cash flow support, Jolt can look at the wider funding requirement at the same time.

Benefits and considerations

Acquisition finance can help a buyer move forward without funding the full purchase price from cash. It can also help structure a purchase around the cash flow of the buyer and target business.

The buyer should consider integration risk, reliance on future performance, deferred consideration, security, guarantees and working capital after completion. Funding is subject to lender criteria.

Acquisition finance FAQs

Can acquisition finance cover the full purchase price?

Many lenders expect the buyer to contribute cash or assets to the deal. The final structure may include lender debt, deferred consideration, vendor support, buyer contribution and security. Full purchase price funding is harder where the buyer has limited contribution or the target cash flow is uncertain.

Will the target business be assessed?

Yes. The target company's accounts, management information, customer base, profitability, debt, cash flow and reason for sale are usually important. Lenders often assess both the buyer and the business being acquired because repayment may depend on post-completion performance.

What documents help with acquisition finance?

Useful documents include target accounts, buyer accounts, heads of terms, management information, valuation rationale, bank statements, forecasts, details of deferred consideration and a plan for how the business will trade after completion.

Can working capital be included in the acquisition funding?

It may be considered depending on the deal, lender appetite and post-completion funding need. Some acquisitions need working capital, invoice finance or asset finance built into the plan so the business is not short of cash after completion.