Being approached by an interested buyer is an exciting prospect for most businesses. When an offer does come through, it’s important that owners take control of the process to ensure it’s competitive and the deal structure makes sense for their business – a process that can be complex and time consuming. If, like Canberra-based ICT Consultancy Axsym, your team is completely dedicated to billable client work, an M&A Advisor can become an invaluable asset.
With a particular focus on Federal Government contracts, AxSym had heard of our experience in the defence sector in particular. So, with an offer already on the table, they asked us to help them progress discussions. At the same time, we began exploring other potential acquirers who might offer a higher valuation and provide a strategic platform for the founders to continue to grow the business.
Additional party at the table drives competition
We introduced several parties to Axsym, including SOCO who met the shareholder and management objectives. The process immediately became more competitive, driving up the sale price. It also began to move much more quickly. A listed Australian ICT Consultancy and Microsoft Gold Partner, SOCO was interested in expanding its footprint in Canberra, making AxSym a compelling acquisition target. We continued to assist the AxSym team with their response to initial requests for information and questions from parties. But, after SOCO made an initial offer, AxSym’s shareholders decided to proceed with them alone.
Balancing act – five shareholders, multiple objectives
Selling a business can be an emotional process for owners. One of the most important roles of an advisor is taking the time to understand the objectives of each shareholder and structuring a path forward that balances these as best as possible. We worked closely with each of Axsym’s five shareholders throughout the process, to understand these objectives and continually revisit them, ensuring the outcome we were working towards was aligned.
A sprint to the finish line
From the initial SOCO offer in mid-September, the deal was completed on the 31st of October, a very tight six-week timeframe. Because SOCO is a listed company, they were required to announce the acquisition pending Due Diligence. Once this information was in the public domain, it added additional pressure to get the deal done quickly. Being a listed entity, SOCO also had a greater level of questioning and structure which we were able to manage on Axsym’s behalf.
“We’re thrilled to have been able to support Axsym’s shareholders with their 100% sale to SOCO. With multiple stakeholder objectives to consider and a short timeline, we applied creative solutions and achieved an outstanding outcome.”
Our monthly sector dashboards are out! Our dashboards look at the valuation multiples across seven key sectors, each made up of a number of subsectors. The data takes into account the sale prices of similar companies based on; products, end markets, services, assets classes or other characteristics. The publications include all companies listed on the […]
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are often seen as a golden ticket for businesses aiming to expand, achieve economies of scale, or diversify. Yet business history is littered with stories of failed acquisitions that have eroded value rather than enhanced it. Look no further than Catch.com, which is still in the news cycle. Why? Below are […]
We’re excited to dive into a round of Q&A with Lucy Clarke, a talented and passionate M&A Associate at InterFinancial. In this post, Lucy shares her insights on the daily grind, the rewarding aspects of her role, and the challenges she overcomes. Join us as we explore what it’s like to be an M&A professional […]
Our monthly sector dashboards are out! Our dashboards look at the valuation multiples across seven key sectors, each made up of a number of subsectors. The data takes into account the sale prices of similar companies based on; products, end markets, services, assets classes or other characteristics. The publications include all companies listed on the […]
Our monthly sector dashboards are out! Our dashboards look at the valuation multiples across seven key sectors, each made up of a number of subsectors. The data takes into account the sale prices of similar companies based on; products, end markets, services, assets classes or other characteristics. The publications include all companies listed on the […]
What do determination and a talent for building long-term relationships have in common? Andrew Wheeler, of course! As we celebrate his decade-long journey with InterFinancial, it’s clear why he’s such a key part of the team. Originally from South Africa, Andrew’s great communication skills and persuasive nature ensure he never lets an opportunity slip by. […]
As we consider the potential impact of another Trump presidency on the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) landscape, it’s impossible to ignore the spillover impact that Trump’s regulatory and economic policies can have on Australia. With his return to the White House, we can anticipate a wave of both opportunities and challenges for the Australian M&A […]
We recently sat down for a chat with Anuk Manchanda, our talented M&A Director here at InterFinancial. With over 12 years of solid experience under his belt, Anuk shares what drives his passion for M&A, how he builds meaningful client relationships, and the key lessons he’s picked up along the way. With a background that […]
The Chinese economy is undoubtedly undergoing fundamental shifts due to a combination of factors, including slowed economic growth, ongoing political tensions with the West, a large aging population and changing demographics. Since the beginning of 2024, the capital market in China has witnessed several significant shifts in various industries and sectors. Sluggish IPO market; […]
