Buy-Side M&A Advisory

Buy-Side M&A Advisory

Growth through acquisitions is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate scale, strengthen capabilities, and expand market presence. But in a market crowded with noise, finding the right opportunity – one that aligns with your strategy, culture, and long-term vision – requires more than just sourcing.

It requires insight, precision, and a partner who understands the art and science of M&A.

At ICONIA PARTNERS, we help acquirers identify, evaluate, and secure high-quality businesses through a disciplined, research-led, and relationship-driven buy-side process.

Our Approach

At ICONIA PARTNERS, we help acquirers – founders, private equity groups, family offices, and mid-market corporations –identify, evaluate, and secure the right acquisition targets that accelerate long-term strategic and financial outcomes.

Whether your objective is market expansion, capability enhancement, vertical integration, or building a scalable platform, our role is to transform your mandate into a pipeline of qualified, aligned, and actionable opportunities, and then guide you through every stage of the acquisition process with precision.

Where many groups rely on inbound brokers, fragmented deal flow, or outdated databases, ICONIA builds a proprietary, research-driven buy-side engine tailored specifically to your mandate. We combine deep strategic analysis, sector mapping, direct outreach, and disciplined deal evaluation to ensure you see the opportunities others miss – and close the ones that matter most.

Acquiring the Right Company Requires the Right Strategy.

ICONIA provides acquisition strategies, target mapping, and full-spectrum support to ensure you secure the most strategically valuable opportunities – not just the most available ones. Our advisors guide you through each step of the buy-side M&A process, from mandate definition to closing, ensuring alignment with your investment thesis and long-term goals.

We understand that every acquisition changes the trajectory of your organisation. That’s why we treat every mandate as if we were deploying our own capital – rigorous, structured, and uncompromising.

Target Research & Market Mapping

Our first priority is identifying the most suitable acquisition candidates for your strategy. We begin by examining your growth goals, operational strengths, ideal financial profile, and industry positioning.

Then we build a custom target universe, using:

• Deep industry research

• Competitor and ecosystem mapping

• Private company intelligence

• Direct proprietary outreach

• CEO and founder-level introductions

We do not rely on superficial broker lists or marketplace deal flow. Instead, we create a curated pipeline of companies that fit your strategy exactly. You approve every outreach list before we engage targets.

Direct Outreach & Target Engagement

ICONIA runs a confidential, professional outreach process to engage founders and executives directly, positioning your interest clearly while protecting your identity where required.

Our team manages:

• Initial contact and qualification

• NDA coordination

• Preliminary data collection

• Management introductions

• Alignment discussions

This ensures you only spend time on serious, qualified opportunities that align with your acquisition strategy.

Financial Evaluation & Deal Structuring

Every transaction must work financially, operationally, and strategically.
Our advisors support you through:

• Target valuation and financial modelling

• Quality of earnings indicators

• Synergy analysis (revenue + cost)

• Buyout structure design

• Capital stack recommendations

• Scenario and sensitivity modelling

We ensure you understand the real economics of any acquisition – not just the headline numbers.

Negotiation Support

Closing a buy-side transaction requires discipline, finesse, and a clear understanding of seller psychology.

Our deal team has negotiated hundreds of offers, term sheets, and definitive agreements across private equity, family office, and corporate environments.

We support you through:

• Offer strategy and LOI structuring

• Negotiation of terms, protections, and price

• Rollover equity and earnout mechanics

• Indemnities and risk allocation

• Exclusivity and timeline management

With ICONIA at the table, you negotiate from a position of clarity and strength.

Due Diligence Management

Diligence can make or break a deal. We ensure you have access to the right information, at the right time, in the right format.

Our role includes:

• Dataroom coordination

• Assessment of financial, commercial, operational, and legal risks

• Vendor alignment and problem resolution

• Collaboration with accountants, lawyers, and technical experts

We keep momentum without compromising rigour, giving you a complete picture before you sign.

Integration & Transition Planning

Acquisition success doesn’t end at closing. ICONIA advises on early integration planning to ensure a smooth handover and alignment between both sides.

We help you plan for:

• Leadership transition

• Cultural alignment

• Communication strategy

• Operational harmonisation

• Reporting and financial controls

Strong integration planning protects value and accelerates post-acquisition performance.

Who We Advise

ICONIA supports acquirers across multiple industries and strategic objectives, including:

• Private equity platform acquisitions

• Add-on / bolt-on acquisitions

• Family offices

• Corporate strategic acquisitions

• International expansion strategies

• Independent sponsors building acquisition theses

Sector focus includes:

• Industrials & manufacturing

• Business & professional services

• Technology & software

• Healthcare & life sciences

• Infrastructure, renewables & energy

• Field services

• Property, construction & engineering

• Consumer & retail

We specialise in privately held, lower-middle and middle-market businesses – where disciplined buy-side processes create the strongest competitive edge.

When to Consider an Acquisition

An acquisition may be the right strategy if you want to:

• Enter new verticals or geographic markets

• Accelerate growth faster than organic expansion allows

• Acquire talent, IP, technology, or capabilities

• Consolidate a fragmented industry

• Build a platform with bolt-on expansion potential

• Enhance profitability through synergy capture

• Increase enterprise value through multiple expansion

Whether you’re an established acquirer or exploring acquisitions for the first time, ICONIA develops a tailored blueprint for your goals.

Why Buyers Choose ICONIA

• We bring you proprietary, direct-sourced deal flow, not recycled broker listings.

• We eliminate wasted time by filtering and qualifying every opportunity.

• We deliver investment banking-level rigor with boutique-level responsiveness.

• We know how to speak with founders – and how to negotiate with them.

• We secure opportunities that fit your strategy today and create future optionality.

Most importantly:
We operate as a true extension of your team – strategic, proactive, and aligned.