Smaller private market transactions make
up the bulk of Valitas’ success stories.
Whether it’s corporate sales, acquisitions
or financing, the firm prides itself on the
support provided to business owners in
transition. They’re also selective in the
clients they accept and will not take on
a mandate unless they are confident in a
successful outcome.
“We’re getting a lot of interest and we’re
encouraging that interest. At the same
time we just want to make sure that be-
fore both we and our client invest a lot of
time and effort in a sale process the client
has realistic value expectations, and we
are in agreement regarding which poten-
tial buyers we will approach and what the
process will be,” Goguen said.
Much of the service Valitas provides is
based on publications, articles and assess-
ment tools that make their deal insights
available to prospective and current cli-
ents, including how to prepare their busi-
nesses to derive the greatest value. The
Valitas team has completed transactions
in virtually every Canadian industry, and
the firm is currently retained on mandates
for a niche manufacturer and a financial
technology company. Reasons for selling
often stem from retirement plans, suc-
cession challenges, health issues, family
breakdowns including divorce or a share-
holder issue, and it can be an emotionally
charged situation for everyone involved.
SECOND GENERATION LESS
LIKELY TO TAKE OVER
FAMILY BUSINESS
“There are a lot of businesses where the
entrepreneur is just reaching that age and
“There are a lot of businesses where the entrepreneur is just reaching that age and the
kids are not really involved in business and don’t want to run it. About 80% of busi-
ness owners are baby boomers, the eldest of whom have recently reached retirement
age. That’s really important and that’s a huge driver for business sales in Canada.”
Marco Goguen, Co-founder
MAY/JUNE 2015
H
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