Home Company Sale Identifying suitable buyer targets

The Importance of Buyer Selection in the M&A Process

The strategy for selecting the most adequate potential buyers is an integral part of a sell-side process. Should the business be sold to a competitor, a customer or supplier, a financial investor or an international group looking to expand its presence in the company's market or country? It is essential to identify and qualify buyers based on their positioning in the value chain, ability to successfully integrate a business, track record in completing transactions at the expected price and reputation.

The nature of the buyer—whether a corporate or financial investor (private equity, family offices, business angel)—plays a decisive role in this initial phase. An approach that combines sector expertise, industry insight and strategic analysis is the most relevant to qualify potential buyers and ultimately maximise value creation when conducting a sale process

Victanis’ experience at identifying and qualifying attractive Buyers

Successfully identifying and qualifying potential buyers for the business you want to sell is a strategic project in itself.

Victanis addresses this well in advance with our clients willing to dispose of their company. This comes as a result of a number of discussions with our clients in the context of workshops focused on industry knowledge, market structure, the company’s technological and industrial differentiation, its geographical presence, its customer base, and its own characteristics in terms of size, unique selling points and market share.

Based on the results of this joint exercise, the seller's personal and professional requirements are incorporated into the discussions to develop the criteria for searching for and selecting the appropriate potential buyers.

We pride ourselves on the thoroughness of our work to suggest to sellers a limited list of finely qualified prospect buyers.

Expert and Experienced: Achieving Success with our Senior Industry Experts

Our team consists of seasoned professionals with deep industry networks and sector-specific expertise, ensuring every project is backed by strategic insight and returns of experience.

Local footprint: Leveraging our In-Depth Cultural and Market Knowledge

With extensive knowledge of the countries and cultures we operate in, we succeed in matching the unique dynamics of each market and business case and in delivering seamless and respectful cross-border projects.

Professional and Hands-On: Relying on executable strategies

We offer a hands-on, project-driven approach to strategy and M&A, specializing in cross-border transactions with a focus on delivering tangible results through tailored, detail-oriented execution.

Success story

Green City : Sale of 7 French hydropower plants

Challenges

In 2012, Green City AG launched a citizen investment fund focused exclusively on French small hydropower plants. At that time, Victanis was responsible for the operational setup of the business in France as part of an organic growth program. Victanis managed the acquisition and refurbishment of a total of seven hydropower plants for Green City and its hydropower fund.

As the fund's term was nearing its end, Green City AG lacked the internal capacity to retain ownership of the French hydropower plants. Consequently, it was decided that all the plants would be sold externally.

Approach

To address the technical challenges of the individual plants and the specifics of the French hydropower market, as well as to optimize sales proceeds, Victanis recommended selling the plants individually.
Collaborating with French partner Envinergy Transactions, Victanis conducted plants valuations, prepared comprehensive sales documentation, and identified suitable private, commercial, and industrial buyers. The plants were sold in six structured transactions over a period of approximately 18 months.

Results

Victanis managed the entire sales process and negotiations for each transaction, from initial buyer engagement to final closing, and conducted final post-closing activities.
Victanis successfully completed the sale of 7 French hydropower plants, each with a capacity of approximately 400 kW.

Success story

Green City : Sale of a French (Corsica Island) PV plant with battery storage

Challenges

In 2022, the German project developer and fund issuer Green City AG faced financial difficulties and was forced to file for insolvency. The French company Qair emerged as the buyer for the project development business and agreed to take over the personnel but declined to acquire Green City AG's existing projects and funds. Victanis, known for being specialist in the French renewable energy market, was tasked with selling an operating French 1 MW greenhouse solar rooftop plant with batty storage of 1.9 MWh on Corsica Island.

The sales process was conducted under the unique conditions and challenges posed by an ongoing insolvency procedure.

Approach

To address the specific technical issues and specific challenges and time constraints of the insolvency proceedings, Victanis proposed selling this PV greenhouse plus storage plant to an institutional investor. Leveraging its French network, Victanis identified a suitable French renewable energy investment fund that was willing to offer a competitive price and capable of managing the challenges associated with an insolvency process. The portfolios were sold in an exceptionally short timeframe of only two months through a structured transaction.
Due to its French network, Victanis identified a suitable French renewable energy investment fund, willing to offer a competitive price and being able to manage specific challenges of an insolvency procedure. The portfolios were sold in an extremely short time period of only 2 months in a structured transaction.

Results

Victanis handled the entire sales process and negotiations for each transaction, from initial buyer engagement to final closing, and conducted final post-closing activities.
Victanis successfully completed the sale of this French greenhouse solar rooftop plant with battery storage, with a capacity of approximately 1.0 MW for PV production and 1.9 MWh of storage capacity.

Success story

M&A Support to datafirst shareholders in the selling process (on-going process)

Challenges

Our client required M&A support following his decision to join forces with a strategic partner within a market driven by a strong interest in Data and AI expert.

A company focused on a very specific market: Master Data Management (MDM) and Product Data Management (PIM).

Understanding the technology and the various type of solutions which serve multiple markets.

Approach

Multiple discussions with Shareholders and the Management team to understand the activity, products, and market, to produce an Information Memorandum and complete financial pack including historical data and a future Business Plan
Build a list of potential strategic partners and approach these qualified strategic partners with a company teaser produced by Victanis
Organise Management Presentations
Assist the shareholders in the negotiation phase leading to the signing of a Letter of Intention.
Coordinating the Due Diligence, and the SPA negotiation. Manage the entire process to closing and completion

Results

Victanis was able, to present to DataFIRST shareholders with a number of Strategic Partners.
After careful review and guided consideration, DataFIRST entered in exclusivity with one of them.

The Importance of Buyer Selection in the M&A Process

Victanis’ experience at identifying and qualifying attractive Buyers

Our expert services for the sale of a company