Breakwater M&A Blog: Expert Insights for Buying & Selling Businesses
Explore valuable articles, guides, and strategies tailored for entrepreneurs preparing to sell businesses in the $2M-$20M revenue range.
The Debt Stack: Understanding M&A Financing Beyond Bank Loans
The financing behind an acquisition is a strategic lever, not just a closing requirement. Here's how PE funds, corporate strategics, and independent sponsors structure capital to maximize returns and manage risk across the deal lifecycle.
Using Debt to Buy a Business: How Leverage Works in Acquisitions
For most business buyers, debt is not a risk—it is a tool. Here is how leverage works in acquisitions, how SBA loans make it possible, and what lenders actually look for when financing your deal.
SDE vs EBITDA: What Buyers Need to Know Before Valuing a Business
Buying a business is hard enough without confusing financial jargon. Two of the most misunderstood terms are SDE and EBITDA. They both try to answer the same question: how much money does this business really produce? But they are not interchangeable, and using the wrong one can lead to serious overpaying or walking away from a great deal.
How to Conduct Due Diligence When Buying a Business
Buying a business can be a fast track to growth—or a costly mistake. This guide walks through practical due diligence steps across finance, legal, and operations so you can separate solid acquisitions from painful surprises and move forward with confidence.
The PE Playbook: 9 Attacks Private Equity Use to Lower Your Valuation. How Entrepreneurs Can Defend Themselves
Private equity buyers are skilled at lowering valuations. Here are the nine tactics they use most often and how founders can protect their number.
Buying a Competitor: How to Value their Business
Buying a competitor business can fast-track your growth—but only if you evaluate the right factors. Learn how to assess synergies, cultural alignment, and deal risks before making your move.
Private Equity Rollovers: How to Sell Your Company Twice
Many founders sell too early. The private equity rollover lets you sell once for liquidity, stay in to grow with capital and expertise, and sell again for a second, larger payday. Here’s how it works and what to watch for.
How to Value a Business Before You Buy It
A practical guide for acquisition entrepreneurs on how to value a small business before submitting an LOI. Learn to normalize EBITDA, apply risk-adjusted multiples, compare similar deals, and sense-check payback periods. Includes a simple framework and advice on when to hire professionals.
Why SaaS Founders Are Buying Brick & Mortar Businesses
With AI disrupting SaaS margins, savvy tech founders are acquiring brick & mortar businesses to diversify. Learn why service-based companies with $2M–$20M revenue are the smart hedge—and how to avoid the myths around SMB acquisitions.
The Truth About Buying Businesses with $0 Down
Discover the truth about "$0 down" business acquisitions and learn how independent sponsors actually structure deals to buy companies without using their own capital. While social media influencers promote unrealistic expectations about no-money-down business buying, this article reveals the legitimate path of independent sponsorship. Learn about working with SBIC lenders, structuring deals, and achieving successful exits like Chris Edwards' 24x return. Perfect for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs seeking to understand the realities of modern business buying strategies.
Buy a Business or Start One? Why Buying Often Wins
Should you start a business or buy one? For most entrepreneurs, acquisition is the smarter move. Learn why buying a business offers faster growth, lower risk, and a clearer path to exit—plus how to know if you're cut out for acquisition entrepreneurship and where an M&A advisor fits in.