What this is
Strategic acquirer awareness built quietly over quarters. Loud exit signalling damages leverage; sustained category presence with a specific short list does not.
What you get
Where it sits
The story investors and acquirers are actually buying.
Frequently asked
Eighteen to twenty-four months before a process, ideally. It is slow by design.
Not from this work. Everything here is category positioning that is defensible on its own terms, which is part of why it is safe to do early.
No. Bankers run processes. This makes the acquirer aware of you before the process begins, which is a different job and usually improves the outcome of theirs.
A founder visibly shopping the company weakens their position with every month that passes without a deal. Everything here is built to create awareness without signalling intent.
Strategic buyers state what they are looking for, in earnings calls, interviews and conference remarks. Positioning against that stated thesis is more effective than positioning against the market generally.
Industry bodies, conferences and shared panels create contact without the framing of a process. Those relationships are what get returned calls when a process does start.
Who knows, what is said, and what is never put in writing. Leaks damage valuation and unsettle staff, and they are usually the result of no protocol rather than bad intent.
Also in Fundraise & Exit Narrative
Start here