The company exchange (M&A). Verified listings from buyers and sellers.
What distinguishes a company succession stock exchange?
Company succession in SMEs is the decisive future topic for job security and social prosperity in the entire D-A-CH region. Every company has a management/owner and already in 2025 a good 70 % (!) of all company managers will be over 55 years old. And only a good 40 % of all family businesses will be able to solve the succession issue internally.
A business succession should be well thought out and, above all, planned early and carefully. No matter whether you want to pass on the business within the family or find a buyer, KERN helps you to go through the process as smoothly as possible.
In addition to the economic, legal and tax aspects, it is mainly the emotional background that needs to be considered. As advisors who can look at the situation from an outside perspective, we are in a position to help you to To support in the best possible way and taking into account all factors.
One way to find the right successor or buyer is to use KERN’s company exchange or another reputable M&A portal. This is where the two relevant parties meet, namely the seller and the buyer. This way, the process of finding and choosing a successor or a business can be simplified.
You can count on our support for the selection itself. In the following overview, we explain in more detail how a company exchange works and what you should definitely pay attention to.
How does a company exchange work?
A company exchange is the Place where sellers and buyers of businesses come together. In the majority of cases, companies are no longer passed on within the family circle ? in this case, it is necessary for the Company succession an external successor must be sought.
The need is the same the other way round ? you don’t always become an entrepreneur:in by founding a company as a start-up. Via the company exchange, interested parties can be guided to the right company and take over a company in operation. Below you will learn more about how to find both a business or a successor within a business exchange.
Find a successor
With regard to succession, a company exchange is particularly well suited. For most entrepreneurs, their own company is much more ? it is a life’s work that has taken up a large part of one’s time. Passing on this life’s work can be very difficult, especially on an emotional level.
This is especially the case if the passing on does not take place within one’s own family circle. However, not only the emotional aspect plays a role ? many different factors have to be considered. You should therefore be aware that taking over a company cannot be done in a very short time.
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Find a company
You have decided to buy a company. But what exactly to do now?
Since buying is an alternative to starting a business, you should first think carefully about what the already existing business should fulfil. Which principles and contents of a business model are important to you? What goals do you want to pursue with your future company? Sellers often place a high value on the company’s previous path being continued and, in the best case, optimised.
The Business Succession Exchange is the perfect network to get an overview of which companies are on the market in the first place. This changes on a daily basis. As an MBI and investor who wants to find and acquire a business, you will thus gain an insight into what is currently happening in the field of company sales.
Company exchanges are not only suitable for the complete Company acquisitionbut also for the proportional entry into a society. This has advantages for both you and the seller of the shares: They invest and thus not only get an entry into a company and a say in it, but also a Profit sharing and can take over further shares in the future. On the other hand, the seller can get to know you, implement the transfer step by step together and hand over his life’s work in a manageable period of time.
Advantages of buying an existing business
Starting a succession by buying an already existing company offers many advantages over starting a new one. Although personal equity is usually necessary for this project, it is not necessary to have it is a company that has already established itself and is making a profit.
Both the customer base and many different components within the company already exist and may only need to be optimised. Furthermore, an existing company has Employees who are already trained and have know-how in their industry.
With the help of company exchanges, you are close to the buyer and, in the first step, anonymous to the potential successor. The business succession exchange helps you find interested parties who are ready, to pay a price and follow in your footsteps. Although many different aspects have to be considered in the selection process, this way you make your business anonymously visible to future acquirers.
With our help, you do not have to go through these complex processes alone and can rely on active support.
We act in your interest and have set ourselves the goal of helping you in the best possible way with the Company takeover (purchase or sale).
In doing so, we even guarantee the sale of your company under certain conditions.
And most importantly: with us as a neutral ?buffer? between buyer and seller, discretion and anonymity are preserved for the longest time.
What you should bear in mind when searching on a company exchange
A company exchange gives you the opportunity to find what you are looking for both as a buyer and as a seller. You can use it to present your company to the market and thus draw attention to the fact that it is for sale and looking for a successor.
So have potential buyers the opportunity to contact you and possibly take over the baton of the company. Although the succession process involves a lot more than advertising your company, this is the first way to develop a selection of interesting and possible successors.
As someone who has decided to buy a business, a business exchange is the right place for you. On this one, you will find a clear compilation of companies that are for sale. In addition, you will receive further information about the company and can get an idea in advance. If you are aware of your interests, you can use company exchanges to compare offers and choose the best ones for you.
For both sellers and buyers, some factors should not be ignored. In order to reach your goal without any problems, we will provide you with some tips that can support you.
Tips for potential successors
In order to search for, buy and thus potentially succeed the owners or shareholders of a business, you should be aware of a few things in advance and plan the process through. Don’t rush into anything, because this decision is a big life decision.
The majority of the most important factor is the financial means for acquiring a company. Make sure that you are sufficiently liquid in perspective. On the one hand, you must be able to ensure that the required sum for the purchase of the company can be presented with or without a financing partner. Furthermore, you should Plan enough liquidity after the purchase to be able to implement any changes and investments.
Become aware of exactly what kind of business you want to acquire. What industry do you want to be a part of and where is your personal know-how and networks? What values do you represent and do you want to represent within the framework of this company? Also be clear about your goals and how you want to achieve them.
Check the company’s history carefully so as not to make a wrong decision. Look closely at the products and services offered by the company. As the successor to the company, you should also be well informed about the target group, the market itself and the competition.
You should also be aware that in most cases a company always means taking over the employees. This is good insofar as they are already familiar with the respective areas and have significant knowledge that will be useful to you later. Make sure that the transition is made safe and as transparent as possible for the employees, because a change of leadership position also plays a role for them.Tips for potential sellers
For a prudent entrepreneur, it is of great importance to pass on one’s business into the right hands. The tips for a seller are not so different from those we give to buyers.
Be aware of your values and goals. What do you want for your company in the future? Does the successor fulfil these principles? Do your research on the potential buyer to rule out the possibility of your life’s work falling into the wrong hands.
Know the value of your company. Do not sell below value and do not set utopian heights for an idealised purchase price. The sales price should and can be well narrowed down at an early stage using recognised valuation methods.
Company succession should be planned and structured. We at KERN support you in this ? from planning to handover.