Exit your business
Sell it on your terms.
A four-phase sell-side process, backed by Bridge’s marketplace and existing SBA lender relationships. Typical engagement: 4 to 6 months, start to close.
Why now, not later
Only 20 to 30% of businesses that go to market actually sell.
Per the Exit Planning Institute. Preparation is the difference between the businesses that sell and the ones that don’t.
“An owner decides in January they want to sell by year-end. The business is still dependent on them, the books aren’t clean, there are no documented systems. A buyer walks or discounts the price. Started 24 months earlier, they’d have sold faster and for more.” Jimmy Choi, CEO
4–6
months is a typical sell-side engagement, from Preparation to a funded close.
The exit process
Four phases, one advisor, start to close.
1
Preparation
Valuation, NDA and Confidential Information Package, diligence checklist, ideal buyer profile.
2
Marketing & Outreach
Marketplace listing, buyer identification, NDA distribution, management calls, LOI or term sheet received.
3
Buyer Selection
Buyer qualification, negotiation, LOI execution, operational alignment.
4
Due Diligence & Closing
Purchase agreement, SBA lender introduction, contingency planning, closing and funding.
How buyers actually find you
Bridge’s marketplace, and real lender relationships.
Buyers sign an NDA before seeing anything identifying about your business. Your sale stays confidential while it’s marketed.
What buyers actually check
The two that kill deals most often.
Customer concentration
One customer, too much of revenue
Buyers discount hard when losing one account would meaningfully hurt the business. This gets checked early, not after an LOI.
Growth potential
A story a buyer can underwrite
A believable path to keep growing after you’re gone matters as much as current performance. No story, no premium.
Real outcome
Preparation through funded close.
Individual results vary. Past outcomes do not predict future results.
Four-phase engagement
4 to 6 months, prepared
A prepared sell-side engagement moves from valuation and diligence prep, through buyer outreach and LOI, to a funded SBA close in 4 to 6 months.
Methodology: Four-Phase Exit Process
Common questions
What owners actually ask.
How do you find buyers?
Bridge’s marketplace and SBA lender relationships. Buyers sign NDAs before seeing anything identifying.
What if it doesn’t sell?
Only 20 to 30% of businesses that go to market actually sell, per the Exit Planning Institute. Preparation is the difference.
What does Bridge charge to sell my business?
A success fee based on deal size and complexity. Talk to an advisor and we’ll walk through what applies to your business.
Do I need to have prepared with Scale first?
No, but it helps. If your business scores poorly on readiness, your advisor will tell you honestly before taking it to market.
Talk to a Bridge advisor
Start with a free consultation.
Tell us where you are today. A Bridge advisor will help you understand the options and the next practical move.