What Buyers Mean by "Quality"

Table of Contents

• Welcome to the M&A Mindset!

  • Interesting Infographic

  • M&A Topic Briefing

  • Articles of Interest

  • Educational Resources

  • Spreadsheet Tips & Tricks

  • Good Reads This Week

  • From The Benchmark Blog

  • Industry Associations

  • Lighten Up!

  • M&A Merch

INTERESTING INFOGRAPHIC

Each week, I feature a visually engaging infographic that distills a key M&A subject area into an easy-to-digest format. These quick reference guides aim to deliver clarity, insight, and practical understanding at a glance.

What Buyers Mean by “Quality”

M&A TOPIC BRIEFING

In this section, I provide a clear, concise overview of a specific topic, trend, or concept within the realm of M&A. The goal is to educate, inform, and spark discussions on relevant subjects, helping you deepen your knowledge and better navigate the complexities of M&A more confidently.

Rep & Warranty Insurance (RWI): Why, When, & How

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ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• U.S. M&A Market Set to Broaden as Confidence Surges - A new survey shows optimism among middle market companies and private equity leaders at a six-year high, suggesting 2026 M&A activity will broaden beyond megadeals as economic clarity, strong valuations, and confidence fuel increased dealmaking.

• The Quiet Revolution Making Business Ownership More Attainable Than Ever - New models like fundless sponsors and fractional funds are lowering barriers to business ownership by allowing deal-by-deal investing and smaller capitalization, opening the market to operators and investors who lacked access to traditional private equity structures.

• Ex-Corporate Execs Launch Independent Sponsor as Deal Flow Migrates Down Market - Veteran dealmakers have launched an independent sponsor platform to pursue lower mid-market deals in sectors like business services and specialty industrials, reflecting broader momentum for deal-by-deal investing outside traditional private equity funds.

• Want to Sell Y our Business Someday? Do These 4 Things Now - Founders are advised to prepare early for a future sale by building a brand and systems that don’t revolve around the owner, keeping clean financials, optimizing for profit, and ensuring the business can run without them to make it easier and more valuable to sell later.

• How To Leverage Your Negotiating Power When Selling Your Business - Founders who sold shared that preparing early, understanding your company’s strategic value, and strengthening your pitch and finances can significantly improve negotiating leverage when selling your business.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

• Wall Street Oasis: Elite Modeling Course

• Coursera: Introduction to Finance & Accounting (Wharton - UPenn)

• Wall Street Prep: How To Build A 3-Statement Model

• Corporate Finance Institute: Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions

• Data Camp: Financial Modeling in Excel

SPREADSHEET TIPS & TRICKS

Master Financial Modeling from Elite Practitioners

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GOOD READS THIS WEEK

FROM THE BENCHMARK BLOG

My firm, Benchmark International, a global, award-winning sell-side M&A company, has a ton of great resources that help anyone considering selling or buying a business get more educated on all aspects of the process. Below is just one helpful article. Check out Benchmark International for many more useful articles, news, and resources.

• Is Programmatic M&A Right for My Business?

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Trade Associations in the M&A Industry

• Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

• Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AMAA)

• The M&A Advisor

LIGHTEN UP!

In the fast-paced world of M&A, we can sometimes take things (and ourselves) a bit too seriously, so it’s good to remember to enjoy a lighter moment now and then.

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M&A MERCH

Here’s a find for us finance folks to grab some M&A-inspired swag. Stuff for those of us that speak fluent EBITDA. If you find others that have great deal-themed gear, send them this way so we can let everyone know. Enjoy!

• Merch & Acquisition Co. - Dress Like You Just Closed