Mid-Market Exit Trends: What's Hot and What's Not

Welcome back to another edition of The Wise Exit!

In today's issue, we're covering:

• The latest mid-market exit trends you need to know

• How to sell a trucking company (and get top dollar)

• 5 mistakes to avoid when selling to Private Equity

Let's dive in!

Mid-Market Exit Trends: What's Hot and What's Not

If you're running a business making $5-20M a year, pay attention. The mid-market exit world is changing fast, and you need to be aware of it.

The Big Picture

The mid-market exit scene is buzzing right now. More deals are happening than we've seen in years. It's like everyone suddenly realized how great mid-sized companies can be.

Three Trends You Can't Ignore

1. Private Equity Loves the Middle. Remember when private equity firms only cared about huge companies? Not anymore. These days, they're looking at mid-market businesses with genuine interest. Why? They see room for growth. This could mean a better deal for you if you're considering selling.

2. Employee Ownership is Becoming Popular. More owners sell to their employees through ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans). It's a win-win: you get your exit, and your team gets to own the company they helped build.

3. Digital is King. If your business isn't tech-savvy, you might be missing out. Buyers are really interested in companies with strong digital skills, so it might be time to upgrade your tech game.

Exit Strategies to Watch

• Partial exits are becoming common. You sell part of your business now but keep running it, and later, you can sell the rest if you want.

• Strategic partnerships are hot, too. Team up with a more prominent company, and you might have a built-in buyer.

Hot Industries

Healthcare tech and e-commerce are the stars right now. If you're in these areas, you might find a lot of interested buyers.

What This Means for You

If you're thinking about an exit:

1. Get your tech in order. Good digital skills make your company worth more.

2. Think about different ways to exit. An ESOP or partial exit might work better than a complete sale.

3. Be ready for anything. The market's moving fast, and your perfect buyer might not be who you expect.

Stay informed and ready. Knowing these trends could be the difference between a good exit and a great one.

Featured Blog 📰

Thinking of selling your trucking company? Exitwise has you covered. We break down the process step-by-step — from getting in the right mindset to ensuring a smooth transition after the sale.

You'll learn:

• How to value your trucking company

• What financial documents do you need to prepare

• 10 ways to boost your company's value before selling

Whether you're ready to sell now or just planning for the future, this guide is a must-read for any trucking company owner.

Check out "How to Sell a Trucking Company - Prepare, Value, and More" on our blog.

M&A Tips from Brian Dukes 💡

5 mistakes to avoid when selling to Private Equity (PE).

While guiding countless founders through PE deals, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Here are 5 common mistakes you need to avoid:

Read the full post on LinkedIn.

That's all for this week!

Stay tuned for more insights on exits, M&A, and building valuable businesses.

Until next time, keep growing and stay exit-ready.

Best,

Brian Dukes