For founders and business owners
Succession and growth, with partners who have done it before
Questions owners ask
Your questions, answered
Selling a business is one of the biggest decisions an owner makes. These are the questions we hear most, with straight answers. A good deal asks something of both sides.
My business is doing well and I want to accelerate its growth. How can you help?
This is the best case: a successful business that keeps the person driving its growth. Whether you want support with M&A, strategic guidance or additional advisers, we help you find the right solution and management path while accelerating growth.
Can I retire, or step back gradually?
Yes to both, with a plan. Retirement is usually a gradual step back over an agreed timeline. We set milestones for the handover so the business keeps running without disruption, and keeps growing.
Can I keep equity?
Yes, and we ask you to. Rolling part of your proceeds into the business aligns us from day one, and gives you a share of the growth in the business you built.
Who runs the business after investment?
It depends on your succession plans, which we agree with you before completion. If you are retiring, that usually means strengthening the second tier of management and, in time, appointing a CEO, as we did at Inpulse. If you are staying, you remain in charge and we bolster the team around you to accelerate growth.
What happens to my employees?
Your team holds the knowledge that makes the business work, and keeping it is central to our plan. We meet the team early, listen to how the business really runs and agree priorities together. Where changes are needed, we discuss them openly and support people through the transition, and we extend ownership to key people so they share in the success.
What is my business worth?
Our indicative offer gives you a clear view of value and structure, and we explain how we arrived at both. Due diligence then confirms it, and we tell you early if anything we find changes the picture.
How a deal works
From first call to completion
Every sale is different, but most follow the same six stages, and we keep you informed at each one.
- 1
First conversation
A confidential call with the Managing Partner about you, your business and what you want from a sale.
- 2
Indicative offer
If there is a fit, we share an indicative offer with a clear view of value, structure and your future role.
- 3
Due diligence
We review the information available on the business. This usually takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the quality of data and timeliness of responses.
- 4
Final offer
We confirm our offer, reaffirmed by what we have learned, and agree exclusivity and terms.
- 5
Confirmatory diligence
Advisers conduct their accounting, tax and legal review, alongside legal documentation.
- 6
Completion
We sign, complete and start working together on the plan for the business, with you and your team.
Selling to rdc
What to expect
- Transparent process. You deal directly with the Managing Partner from first call to completion.
- Certainty of funding. Each acquisition is funded by rdc's capital partners, who invest deal by deal, alongside bank debt where appropriate. We explain how the deal will be funded in our indicative offer, and keep you updated on financing as we work towards completion.
- Your team is supported and shares in the upside. We plan the transition with your team, and management rolls equity alongside us, with ownership extended to the wider team.
- A partner if you want to stay. Step back on your timeline, or stay on to scale with us.
- A sophisticated buyer. 10+ transactions over 14 years of investing and operating, with transparent and straightforward discussions throughout.
After completion
What happens after we buy
We bring capital and hands-on operating experience, and build on what made your business successful.
A plan agreed with you
We agree the priorities for the first months with you and the management team before completion, so everyone knows what happens on day one.
A culture we protect
We create a culture of transparency, accountability and performance, whilst treating each other with respect and integrity.
A stronger team
We help people grow into bigger roles and add experience where the business needs it, so the team can carry the next stage of growth.
Capital to grow
Follow-on capital for hiring, product and add-on acquisitions, so growth does not depend on cash flow alone.
Let's talk
Whether you are thinking about selling your business or want to invest alongside us, we'd like to hear from you.