A growing business is constantly evolving. Your company is growing, the organization is developing, and new strategic decisions are on the horizon. Perhaps you’re considering a sale, bringing in an investor, or moving into the next phase of growth. No matter which direction you choose, the right guidance makes all the difference.
An advisor to a growing company must look beyond the transaction itself. He understands how growth, value creation, and timing all come together and helps you choose the path that best suits your company and your ambitions. In this blog, you’ll learn which criteria are important in this process.
Why would a growing company seek different M&A advice?
A growing company is often still in the midst of development. Revenue is growing, the team is changing, processes are becoming more professional, and the future value may exceed historical profits.
That is why buyers and investors look beyond what the company is doing today. They consider scalability, management quality, customer retention, margin trends, market position, and growth potential.
This is particularly true for technology-driven growth companies. On its Software & SaaS page, Hogenhouck notes that developments such as AI, machine learning, and Big Data are relevant to entrepreneurs in this sector. A clear M&A strategy can help with sales, investor relations, or strategic partnerships. (https://hogenhouck.nl/software-saas/)
Criterion 1: Industry Experience
The first criterion is industry experience. A consultant must understand how your market works and how buyers view your type of business.
For a SaaS company, recurring revenue, churn, and product quality are important. For an IT services company, the focus is on managed services, customer retention, the cloud, cybersecurity, and scalability. For staffing or consulting firms, other factors come into play, such as margins, customer diversification, and reliance on professionals.
Hogenhouck has separate industry pages for IT Services, Software & SaaS, Digital Agencies, Staffing, Consultancy, and Energy, among others. (https://hogenhouck.nl/it-services/) (https://hogenhouck.nl/software-saas/)
Industry experience helps you position your business more effectively and identify relevant buyers more quickly.
Criterion 2: Valuation Knowledge
For growth companies, valuation is often more sensitive than for stable companies. The question isn't just what you're earning today, but also how reliable your growth is.
Hogenhouck notes that a company’s value is linked to future profits or cash flow and the risk associated with that cash flow. In practice, multiples are often used as a benchmark, but these vary by sector and growth profile. (https://hogenhouck.nl/bedrijf-verkopen/bedrijfswaardering/)
A good M&A advisor must be able to explain:
- which valuation method is appropriate;
- which KPIs buyers consider important;
- which risks are driving down the value;
- which improvements can increase value;
- which buyers are willing to pay a premium for strategic value.
This is crucial for growing companies, because selling too early or providing a weak business case can directly impact the final deal.
Criterion 3: Strategic Input
A growing company often has several options. Selling the entire business isn't always the only route.
Perhaps a pre-exit would be a better fit. Perhaps private equity is an option. Perhaps you’re actually looking for a strategic buyer or a buy-and-build approach. Perhaps funding is enough to reach the next phase.
In addition to sales, Hogenhouck also offers guidance on buying a business and securing financing. (https://hogenhouck.nl/verkoopproces/) (https://hogenhouck.nl/funding/)
A good advisor presents several options and isn't afraid to say when a sale doesn't make sense yet.
Criterion 4: Quality of the Deal Team
In M&A, you work closely with your advisor for months on end. That’s why the deal team is just as important as the firm’s name.
Hogenhouck describes the team as passionate, approachable, and committed. The entrepreneur remains the linchpin of the team, and the advisors serve as trusted advisors. (https://hogenhouck.nl/team/)
That’s important for growing companies. You need an advisor who’s sharp when it comes to numbers, but who also understands what the transaction means for you, your team, and the next phase of growth.
Criterion 5: Preparation for due diligence
Growing companies are often still in the process of professionalizing. This can raise questions during due diligence.
Consider management reports, contracts, customer data, intellectual property, tax structure, employment agreements, forecast quality, and dependence on the founder.
For sales processes, Hogenhouck compiles an Information Request List, prepares the necessary information, and sets up a virtual data room for due diligence. (https://hogenhouck.nl/due-diligence/)
Proper preparation helps avoid surprises during the process. By getting important information in order ahead of time, you’ll be able to approach the process with greater peace of mind and confidence.
Criterion 6: International and Strategic Customer Engagement
Growing companies can be attractive to strategic buyers, private equity firms, or foreign investors—especially if you operate in the technology, software, IT services, or niche markets sectors.
PwC notes that the Dutch M&A market in 2026 will be driven by technology, AI, and targeted strategic choices. This makes a sound buyer strategy even more important. (https://www.pwc.nl/nl/actueel-en-publicaties/diensten-en-sectoren/deals/ma-outlook.html)
So the question isn't: Who can reach everyone? The question is: Who can reach the right buyers with the right message?
Frequently Asked Questions
Consider industry experience, valuation expertise, strategic input, the quality of the deal team, due diligence preparation, and buyer outreach.
No. Sometimes funding, private equity, a pre-exit, or a strategic partnership is a better option than a full sale.
Because value often lies not only in current profits, but also in future growth, scalability, market position, and risk profile.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t choose M&A advisory services for growing companies based solely on reputation or network. You should choose an advisor who understands how growth creates value, what buyers look for, and which path aligns with your ambitions.
Hogenhouck M&A is particularly relevant for growth-oriented companies that want to think strategically about a sale, funding, private equity, or the next phase of growth.
Are you a growing company considering a sale, investment, or acquisition? Schedule a confidential consultation with Hogenhouck M&A and explore which path is best for your business.
