Buying a business is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll make. This guide walks you through the complete process — from identifying what you want to closing the deal — so you can move forward with confidence.
The right business and the right approach depends on your background, goals, and financial position. IBB works with all three buyer profiles.
Looking to replace a salary, leave corporate, or build equity through a proven operating business rather than a startup.
Already own a business and looking to grow through acquisition — expanding geography, adding capacity, or acquiring a customer base.
Deploying capital into cash-flowing businesses, potentially operating multiple businesses simultaneously under a holding structure.
Most business acquisitions take 3–9 months from first conversation to close. Here's what to expect at every stage.
Before looking at listings, IBB helps you define exactly what you're looking for — industry, revenue range, geography, owner involvement level, and financing approach. Getting clear on criteria upfront saves months of wasted evaluation.
IBB sources listings from our network, BizBuySell, and off-market opportunities. You'll receive a blind listing profile on any opportunity matching your criteria. After signing an NDA, you receive the full Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM).
When you find the right business, IBB helps you structure and submit a Letter of Intent. The LOI outlines price, terms, financing contingencies, and the due diligence period. It's non-binding on most terms but signals serious intent and typically grants you exclusivity during due diligence.
Due diligence is how you verify everything the seller has claimed. This is the highest-risk phase of the acquisition — where most deals fall apart or get re-traded. IBB helps you build a complete due diligence checklist and coordinate with your attorney, CPA, and lender.
Once due diligence is complete and financing is approved, the Purchase Agreement is finalized and the transaction closes through escrow. IBB coordinates all parties — seller, buyer, escrow, lender, and attorneys — to get the deal across the finish line.
This is not exhaustive — every deal is different. But these are the categories every buyer must cover. IBB helps you build and execute a complete checklist.
Verify every revenue and expense claim before you're locked in. Tax returns, bank statements, and payroll records all tell a different story than a seller's spreadsheet.
Contracts that can't be assigned, leases that can't be renewed, and litigation you didn't know about are how buyers lose deals and money post-close.
Customer concentration, documented processes, and equipment condition determine how smoothly you'll operate after day one — and how much risk you're actually taking on.
A license that doesn't transfer is a business that can't legally operate after close. This is more common than buyers expect — especially in healthcare, food service, and trades.
IBB's role: We help you build a deal-specific due diligence checklist, manage the data room, track outstanding items, and identify red flags before they become post-close problems. We work alongside your CPA and attorney, not instead of them.
Most business purchases use a combination of financing sources. IBB helps you understand your options and connect with the right lenders.
The go-to financing vehicle for qualified business acquisitions. Government-backed loans up to $5M with 10-year terms and competitive rates. Requires ~10–20% buyer down payment.
The seller carries a portion of the purchase price, typically 10–30%, with payments made directly to them over 3–5 years. Demonstrates seller confidence in the business and aligns incentives during transition.
When SBA timelines are too slow, businesses are ineligible for bank financing, or sellers prefer speed over rate, private capital fills the gap. IBB has direct access to private lenders for acquisitions.
IBB represents buyers as well as sellers. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll reach out when a match comes to market — including off-market opportunities you won't find on listing sites.