SALES PROCESS
Initial Consultation
- Getting to know each other
- Understanding which customer problems the software solves
- Understanding the reasons for a potential sale
- Exchanging (high-level) information about the company
For us, the first step is to find out together whether we are a good fit.
Launch of the Sales Process
- Signing a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
- Exchanging initial data
To prepare an initial indicative offer, we need a few data points from you. These include in particular a product overview, organisational chart, annual financial statements, financial planning and information on customer losses and gains.
Indicative Offer
- Presentation of the indicative offer, including Waterkant’s strategic rationale for the acquisition
- Decision on whether to continue the process
Based on our discussions and the indicative offer, you decide whether you would like to take the next steps of the process with us.
Letter of Intent
- The Letter of Intent (LOI) is a written declaration of intent that sets out the commercial and legal framework of the sale
The LOI is an important step to ensure that both parties share the same understanding, so that the rest of the process can run efficiently and without major surprises. We recommend that sellers involve a lawyer experienced in software company acquisitions as early as the LOI negotiations.
Due Diligence
- Setting up a data room
- Completing a due diligence checklist (which documents are required)
- 1–2 days of on-site meetings, either at the company or at a neutral location (e.g. a conference hotel), with a clearly structured agenda
- Answering follow-up questions (if necessary)
Thanks to our experience in acquiring vertical software companies, a due diligence (DD; in-depth review) typically runs very efficiently and can be completed by a small team within 3–4 weeks.
For Waterkant, the DD is not only about validating hypotheses, but also about identifying potential that can strengthen the company and drive it forward after the acquisition.
Purchase Agreement
- We prepare a draft of the purchase agreement
- The lawyers on both sides negotiate the purchase agreement
This phase runs in parallel with the due diligence (DD), so that findings from the DD can be reflected in the purchase agreement.
Signing & Closing
- Meeting at the notary’s office to sign the purchase agreement
- Payment of the purchase price by bank transfer
- Raising a glass to what we have achieved
Welcome on board!
Kick-off & Strategy Workshop
- Professional preparation of the communication to employees and customers (e.g. FAQ documents)
- Informing employees about the acquisition and the “why” behind the transaction, as well as the benefits the sale brings for employees and customers
- Holding a strategy workshop with the management team and selected employees to align on the first 30-60-90 days after the acquisition
The first phase after the acquisition is key to laying the foundation for our collaboration. We want to create positive momentum to develop the company successfully into the future.
Initial Consultation
- Getting to know each other
- Understanding which customer problems the software solves
- Understanding the reasons for a potential sale
- Exchanging (high-level) information about the company
For us, the first step is to find out together whether we are a good fit.
Launch of the Sales Process
- Signing a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
- Exchanging initial data
To prepare an initial indicative offer, we need a few data points from you. These include in particular a product overview, organisational chart, annual financial statements, financial planning and information on customer losses and gains.
Indicative Offer
- Presentation of the indicative offer, including Waterkant’s strategic rationale for the acquisition
- Decision on whether to continue the process
Based on our discussions and the indicative offer, you decide whether you would like to take the next steps of the process with us.
Letter of Intent
- The Letter of Intent (LOI) is a written declaration of intent that sets out the commercial and legal framework of the sale
The LOI is an important step to ensure that both parties share the same understanding, so that the rest of the process can run efficiently and without major surprises. We recommend that sellers involve a lawyer experienced in software company acquisitions as early as the LOI negotiations.
Due Diligence
- Setting up a data room
- Completing a due diligence checklist (which documents are required)
- 1–2 days of on-site meetings, either at the company or at a neutral location (e.g. a conference hotel), with a clearly structured agenda
- Answering follow-up questions (if necessary)
Thanks to our experience in acquiring vertical software companies, a due diligence (DD; in-depth review) typically runs very efficiently and can be completed by a small team within 3–4 weeks.
For Waterkant, the DD is not only about validating hypotheses, but also about identifying potential that can strengthen the company and drive it forward after the acquisition.
Purchase Agreement
- We prepare a draft of the purchase agreement
- The lawyers on both sides negotiate the purchase agreement
This phase runs in parallel with the due diligence (DD), so that findings from the DD can be reflected in the purchase agreement.
Signing & Closing
- Meeting at the notary’s office to sign the purchase agreement
- Payment of the purchase price by bank transfer
- Raising a glass to what we have achieved
Welcome on board!
Kick-off & Strategy Workshop
- Professional preparation of the communication to employees and customers (e.g. FAQ documents)
- Informing employees about the acquisition and the “why” behind the transaction, as well as the benefits the sale brings for employees and customers
- Holding a strategy workshop with the management team and selected employees to align on the first 30-60-90 days after the acquisition
The first phase after the acquisition is key to laying the foundation for our collaboration. We want to create positive momentum to develop the company successfully into the future.