---
title: How to prepare for acquisition
description: Let's get you prepped for your acquisition through this seller preparation mini-course led by Andrew.
---

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1. [Mini Courses](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en)
2. [Preparation](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#preparation)

# How to prepare for acquisition

## Learn how to plan your exit in this short course from Acquire.com founder, Andrew Gazdecki

What you'll learn in this course (table of contents)

- [Why is acquisition prep so important?](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#prep-so-important) (5 mins)
- [What is the goal of acquisition prep?](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#goal-of-prep) (2 mins)
- [Basic acquisition prep roadmap](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#prep-roadmap) (4 mins)
- [Basic acquisition prep docs](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#prep-docs-define) (5 mins)
- [What are your acquisition goals?](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#your-acq-goals) (8 mins)
- [What buyers want from you?](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#buyers-want) (3 mins)

**Time to complete:** 27 minutes

*You can complete this course in any order you like. We recommend starting with topics you're least comfortable with and then moving on to others for a refresher.*

---

### **Why is acquisition prep so important? (5 mins)**

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### How preparation helps you sell

- **Explains your business:** Clarifies your business model for buyers, increasing interest.
- **Boosts leverage:** More buyer interest boosts your negotiating power.
- **Faster due diligence:** Pre-answered questions speed up the acquisition process.
- **Creates goodwill:** Shows you're serious about selling, setting a positive tone.
- **Prevents problems:** Identify and resolve issues early, avoiding deal-breakers.
- **Maximize your valuation**: Attracts more offers to improve terms and price.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

---

### What is the goal of acquisition prep? (2 mins)

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Preparation closes the knowledge gap between you and potential buyers. Ensure buyers get a comprehensive understanding of your business and you'll attract more offers.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

---

### Basic acquisition prep roadmap (4 mins)

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### How to prepare your startup for acquisition

- **Tidy your financials:** Prepare a 24- to 36-month profit and loss (P&L) statement.
- **Build your data room**: Collect all your acquisition docs in one sharable location.
- **Complete your profile:** Build credibility with a fully-completed Acquire.com profile.
- **Set clear outcomes:** Communicate your acquisition goals and expectations.
- **Stay engaged:** Respond to and follow up on all buyer messages promptly.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

---

### Basic acquisition prep docs (5 mins)

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### What acquisition documents should you prepare?

**Clean financials:** Include a detailed 24 to 36-month profit and loss (P&L) statement and clear revenue and profitability metrics.

- **CIM (Confidential Information Memorandum):** Provides an in-depth look at your business's operations and growth potential.
- **Due diligence checklist:** Answers common due diligence questions upfront, like growth rates and marketing effectiveness.
- **Transition guide:** Details the plan for transferring assets to the new owner, including your service providers and platforms.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

---

### What are your acquisition goals? (8 mins)

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### Your acquisition goals

- **Why are you selling?** Clearly articulate the reason to build buyer trust.
- **Will you stay on?** Let the buyer know if you can help with their transition.
- **What deal structures would you accept?** Being open to various deal structures, like partial seller financing or earnouts, can help you attract more buyers.
- **How will you find the right buyer?** Be honest, responsive, and prepared and follow up on every buyer opportunity and you're guaranteed to find the best fit.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

---

### What do buyers want from you? (3 mins)

<iframe data-hsv-src="https://play.hubspotvideo.com/v/19985776/id/155187618733" referrerpolicy="origin" sandbox="allow-forms allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups" allow="autoplay; fullscreen;" style="position: absolute !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; left: 0; top: 0; border: 0 none; pointer-events: initial" title="HubSpot Video" loading="lazy" data-hsv-id="155187618733" data-hsv-style="" data-hsv-width="688" data-hsv-height="387" data-hsv-autoplay="false" data-hsv-loop="false" data-hsv-muted="false" data-hsv-hidden-controls="false" data-hsv-full-width="false"></iframe>

### How to talk to buyers

- **Understand their goals:** Distinguish between financial buyers (like private equity) and strategic buyers (seeking business synergies).
- **Put data over emotion:** Prioritize facts and credible information in your presentation.
- **Price realistically:** Base your business valuation on market expectations.
- **Streamline information**: Provide prompt, organized, and detailed answers to buyer questions.
- **Be professional:** Make yourself easy to work with by helping buyers overcome the obstacles to acquiring your business.

Need help preparing your startup for acquisition? [Drop us a line](mailto:hello@acquire.com).

([Back to top](https://help.acquire.com/acq-seller-prep#table-of-contents))

- [Buying](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Financing](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#financing)
    - [Finding a startup](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#finding-a-startup)
    - [Evaluating startups](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#evaluating-startups)
    - [Making an offer](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#making-an-offer)
    - [Due diligence](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#due-diligence)
    - [Escrow & closing](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#escrow-closing)
    - [After acquisition](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#after-acquisition)
    - [FAQs](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Formalizing your offer](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#formalizing-your-offer)
- [Selling](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Listing](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#listing)
    - [Insights](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#insights)
    - [Evaluating buyers](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#evaluating-buyers)
    - [Fielding offers](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#fielding-offers)
    - [Due diligence](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#due-diligence)
    - [Escrow & closing](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#escrow-closing)
    - [After acquisition](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#after-acquisition)
    - [FAQs](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Acquisition Tips](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#acquisition-tips)
    - [APA](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#apa)
- [Account](https://help.acquire.com/account?hsLang=en)
- [Resources](https://help.acquire.com/resources?hsLang=en)
- [Mini Courses](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Negotiations](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#negotiations)
    - [Preparation](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#preparation)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/acquire-logo-cobalt_3@3x.png?width=115&height=24&name=acquire-logo-cobalt_3@3x.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.acquire.com)

Copyright © 2026, Acquire.com

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