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The path to selling a business is often uncharted territory for founders of middle-market companies. As entrepreneurs consider how to capitalize on their years of hard work, they’re met with emotionally charged decisions and misconceptions that could cost millions.
“We recognize that selling your business is a deeply personal milestone,” says Iliya Zogovic, CEO at DBD Investment Bank. “That’s why we present M&A advisory for entrepreneurs through a founder-focused lens. Our tailored solutions align with the values of modern entrepreneurs and equip you with clarity and confidence during the entire process.”
What “founder friendly” means to M&A advisory for entrepreneurs
A founder-friendly approach from a trusted M&A advisor respects the blood, sweat, and tears entrepreneurs pour into building their businesses. It addresses their unique needs throughout the entire transaction process.
“For us, founder-focused means putting your needs first,” Zogovic notes. “We will work with you to achieve maximum valuation, to find a buyer with shared values, or to create a pathway for you to enjoy continued involvement post-sale. In a nutshell, we listen and align with your vision rather than treating the transaction as just another line on a profit-and-loss sheet.”
The founder-friendly approach acknowledges that selling a business is an emotional journey. When founders step away from a company they have nurtured for years, their company remains as a testament to their hard work and legacy. A founder-friendly investment bank doesn’t rush this transition — it crafts an exit strategy that honors that history and helps founders embrace the opportunities ahead.
“We know you are approaching this sale with mixed emotions,” says Zogovic. “Your business represents countless sacrifices and is even a large part of your identity. We recognize this emotional connection and craft solutions that respect your financial needs and personal aspirations. We take the time to understand your vision for your team, your legacy, and the post-sale role you want to play.”
A trusted M&A advisor can reveal common misconceptions about exiting a business
It’s common for entrepreneurs to enter the M&A process with misconceptions. These erroneous beliefs routinely cloud decision-making or lead to missed opportunities.
First, many entrepreneurs are under the impression that if the market is strong, selling will be easy. The truth? While stabilized interest rates and favorable sector-specific trends drive renewed M&A activity, selling a business remains a complex process.
“Buyers are increasingly scrutinizing cybersecurity measures, ESG initiatives, and supply chain resilience,” Zogovic remarks. “A strong market alone does not guarantee a smooth transaction if these factors aren’t well-prepared beforehand.”
Second, many founders perceive selling their business as the final step in their entrepreneurial journey. However, Zogovic notes that post-sale structures, such as ongoing leadership roles, earnouts, or equity rollovers, can enable founders to remain engaged in the company’s trajectory while continuing to benefit financially.
“Selling your business doesn’t necessarily mean walking away,” he says. “At DBD Investment Bank, we explore long-term partnership models that allow founders to maintain involvement while unlocking liquidity to pursue personal or professional goals.”
Third, many founders still expect valuations based on inflated multiples from the 2021-2022 M&A boom. “While valuations in 2025 remain attractive, buyers are focused on fundamental business performance rather than speculative growth projections,” Zogovic warns. “Adjusting your expectations to align with current market norms is key to avoiding friction during negotiation.”
Finally, some entrepreneurs believe private equity represents the only viable exit path. In reality, strategic buyers — particularly in industries like healthcare, business services, and industrial technology — may offer opportune outcomes that align with operational continuity or expansion.
These misconceptions underscore the importance of collaborating with an investment bank that prioritizes meticulous guidance and strategic positioning for sellers. Educating founders and dispelling these myths is integral to creating a founder-friendly transaction environment.
How DBD Investment Bank crafts customized exit paths
No two entrepreneurs are alike, and no two companies are alike. DBD Investment Bank takes pride in designing exit paths that reflect the unique goals and circumstances of each founder it works with.
Through comprehensive consultation, DBD helps founders articulate their exit priorities. Whether founders dream of achieving liquidity for retirement, freeing up capital to pursue a new venture, or ensuring the company’s culture and values survive after the sale, DBD crafts a deal that achieves their vision. From there, the team leverages deep expertise in middle-market M&A and its vast network of buyers to construct creative solutions.
“We don’t believe in cookie-cutter deals,” Zogovic says. “We craft each process to meet your financial and operational goals. For us, being founder-focused means treating every deal as unique and focusing on the human element as much as the numbers.”
Strategic buyers vs. private equity: Guiding clients through the decision
One of the biggest crossroads founders face when selling their business is choosing between a strategic buyer and a private equity investor. Each type of buyer presents distinct opportunities, accompanied by certain trade-offs. Selecting the right path is critical to achieving a founder’s goals.
Strategic buyers are typically operating companies looking to acquire complementary businesses for synergies, increased market share, or operational efficiencies. These buyers often offer long-term stability and make meaningful investments in the acquired business. However, they may have stricter integration plans, potentially changing the company’s identity.
Private equity buyers are investment firms that seek financial returns by acquiring businesses, scaling them, and eventually exiting. While these firms are often founder-friendly in that they may keep founders involved in some capacity while empowering seasoned management teams to grow the company, these deals may prioritize short-term growth metrics that challenge certain founder ideals.
These decisions represent significant moments in an entrepreneur’s life. “At DBD Investment Bank, we’re committed to rethinking M&A for today’s entrepreneurs by putting founders at the center of every transaction,” Zogovic concludes. “For us, being founder-focused is about much more than getting the deal done. It’s about crafting a transition that honors your vision and future.”
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