Buy a Business
Acquisition Searches & Advisory
Growth Through Acquisition
Deciding when to buy a business is a key goal for your organization. But you’re only seeing active market deals, and the search is pulling resources away from day-to-day business. We can help.
We specialize in buy-side advisory services. With decades of transaction experience, sitting on both sides of the table, we have inherent insight into what it takes to make an acquisition work.
Whether you need help sourcing proprietary deal flow or developing a full acquisition plan, Cornerstone will be your guide. We’ll usher you through the entire acquisition process, from search through negotiation and due diligence — and set you up with the right target to enable growth.
Outsourced Corporate Development
Cornerstone Buy-Side Services sources quality acquisition targets in the lower middle market. Our process delivers:
- Pre-emptive “off market” deals, leading to private 1-on-1 negotiations
- Multiple choices for investment
- Strategy-driven deals that add value on multiple levels
Our Approach
- Establish an acquisition plan
- Assess management readiness
- Evaluate financial capability
- Conduct target industry assessment
- Develop screening criteria
- Prepare acquirer’s business profile
- Produce & execute target marketing plan
- Create target business profiles
- Select optimum candidates
- Present purchase offer and negotiate
- Conduct due diligence
- Close the transition
Accretive Value
- Creates proprietary deal flow allowing buyers the best options for acquisition—not companies that are actively being marketed by a sell-side brokerage
- Allows multiple acquisition options versus engaging one deal at a time, saving both time and money
- Leverages technology through internal database of companies. Our data paints the picture of a private company’s operations and financials—information not available from public record searches
- Delivers an “off the shelf” solution for growth initiatives, eliminating the need for full-time corporate development staff
- Utilizes continuous process improvement model for attracting, identifying, analyzing, qualifying, and closing deal—end result adds enterprise and operational value to an organization
All Conversations Confidential
If you are looking to grow through acquisition, we can help. Contact us for a confidential conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acquisition Searches and Buying a Business
These FAQs explain how an acquisition search works, how buyers find on- and off-market opportunities, and what to expect when pursuing business acquisitions.
What is an acquisition search (buy-side M&A advisory)?
An acquisition search is a structured process to identify, approach, evaluate, and acquire a target company. Buy-side M&A advisory means you have an experienced deal team guiding strategy, sourcing, valuation, negotiation, due diligence, and the path to closing.
Who uses Cornerstone’s acquisition search services?
We work with strategic buyers, private equity groups, family offices, independent sponsors, and growth-minded organizations that want to expand through acquisition. Many clients have the capital to deploy but do not have the internal bandwidth or deal experience to run a full corporate development function.
Can you help us find off-market deals?
Yes. A major advantage of a disciplined acquisition search is proprietary outreach to owner-operated companies that are not publicly for sale. Off-market does not mean “cheap.” It means less noise, more discretion, and often a more direct path to a serious conversation.
How do you define what a “good acquisition” looks like?
We start by building your acquisition thesis and screening criteria. That includes ideal size, EBITDA range, geography, industry focus, customer mix, margins, growth profile, and integration requirements. A clear target profile prevents wasted time and bad fits.
Do you help with valuation and determining what we should pay?
Yes. We help you evaluate value based on financial reality, risk, growth outlook, and market comparables. We also help you avoid the most common trap in acquisitions: overpaying due to optimism and underestimating integration risk.
Will you help negotiate the LOI and deal structure?
Yes. Deal terms matter as much as price. We help structure offers, negotiate key terms, and build a path that protects your downside while keeping the seller engaged and moving toward close.
Do you manage due diligence?
We help coordinate and manage the diligence workflow, including financial, operational, and commercial diligence. The goal is to confirm the thesis, surface issues early, and prevent surprises that derail trust or timelines.
How long does an acquisition search usually take?
Timing varies based on how narrow your criteria is, how competitive the market is, and how quickly you can move on diligence and decision-making. A focused mandate with committed decision-makers moves faster. An unfocused search with shifting criteria moves slower.
Do you work across industries and geographies?
Yes. We work across many industries and can pursue targets regionally or nationwide depending on your strategy. The best scope is the one that matches your real integration capacity and growth plan. including:
- Agriculture
- Distribution
- Consumer and eCommerce
- Construction and Specialty Contracting
- Food and Beverage
- Healthcare
- Business Services
- Professional Services
- Logistics and Transportation
- Manufacturing and Industrials
- Oil and Gas
- Technology
What is the best first step if I am considering a sale?
Start with a confidential conversation focused on your goals, timing, and options. Most owners are not looking for pressure. They are looking for clarity. From there, a common next step is a Real Market Analysis (RMA), which gives you a realistic understanding of what today’s market would likely pay for your business and what drives that result. When you know the market reality, you can make smart decisions on timing, preparation, and whether to go to market now or build value first.
