Who pays Signal View?
Buyers. They pay our fees under an agreement with us Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ). Signal View works with private investment groups and strategic acquirers. We learn about businesses and their owners' priorities, look for buyers who may be a fit, make introductions with the owner's permission and stay involved as conversations progress Signal View Partners: How private buyer introductions work.
Do I pay anything if a sale closes?
No. We charge owners no retainer and no success fee Signal View Partners: How private buyer introductions work. Owners never pay Signal View a fee, whether you have an initial conversation, meet a buyer or complete a sale Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ).
When does the buyer agree to pay?
Before your company is identified to them. Buyer-paid fee terms are agreed before any identifying disclosure, and we don't introduce you or share identifying company information without your permission Signal View Partners: How private buyer introductions work. So by the time a buyer learns who you are, two things are settled: you've said yes, and the buyer has agreed to our terms.
Do I have to sign an exclusive agreement?
No. We don't ask owners to sign an exclusive engagement, and you remain free to consider other conversations and approaches Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ). That includes working with a broker or investment banker, now or later.
If the buyer pays you, whose side are you on?
Fair question. Signal View doesn't represent you as the seller. Our role is sourcing, permission-based introductions and follow-through. We can't bind you or the buyer, and we don't negotiate or accept terms for anyone. You, the buyer and your respective advisers handle negotiations and transaction terms Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ).
That's why your own attorney and accountant matter. They work for you, under arrangements you make with them, and they're welcome in the conversation whenever you want them there Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ). What a buyer-paid model gives you is room to explore: you can find out whether a buyer might fit without paying anyone or committing to a sale process Signal View Partners: How private buyer introductions work.
What costs might I still have?
If you pursue a transaction, your own legal, tax, accounting, valuation and other transaction costs may still apply Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ). They usually show up in a few places:
- An attorney to review confidentiality agreements, any letter of intent and the purchase agreement. The SBA says an attorney should review a sale agreement U.S. Small Business Administration: Close or sell your business.
- An accountant or tax adviser to look at how a deal is structured and what it means for your taxes.
- A valuation, if you want an independent view of what the business is worth.
- Any adviser you choose to hire to represent you in a sale.
Does the buyer's fee come out of my price?
Our fee is a matter between Signal View and the buyer, under a separate agreement Signal View Partners: For business owners (including owner FAQ). Your price and terms are negotiated between you and the buyer, with your own advisers. Ask any buyer to explain how they've arrived at what they offer.
How is this different from hiring a broker or investment banker?
They're different arrangements for different jobs. Our approach page sets them side by side Signal View Partners: How private buyer introductions work:
| Question | Retaining a broker or investment banker | Starting with Signal View |
|---|---|---|
| What do I pay? | You agree to the adviser's fees and payment terms when you engage them. | No fee to Signal View. Buyers pay us. No retainer or success fee. |
| Am I tied to one route? | Your agreement determines any exclusivity and how long it lasts. | No exclusive owner engagement. You can consider other paths. |
| What's the role? | An adviser you retain to prepare, market and guide a potential sale, with services defined in your agreement. | Looking for a relevant buyer, asking before introducing you and staying involved as conversations progress. You and your advisers decide how to proceed. |
| How is my business shared? | Confidential outreach and buyer screening follow the marketing process agreed with your adviser. | You approve the introduction. We ask before sharing identifying company information. No public listing through our process. |
Neither is right for everyone. If you want someone to run a sale process on your behalf, that's what a sell-side adviser is for. If you want to find out whether a buyer could fit before committing to anything, a conversation with us costs you nothing.
What should I ask anyone about fees?
- Who pays you, and when is your fee agreed?
- Do I owe anything at any point, including if a sale closes, or doesn't?
- Is there anything I'd sign, and is it exclusive?
- Who do you represent, and who negotiates for me?
- What will my own advisers need to cover?
You should get plain answers. Ours, in one place: buyers pay. Fee terms are agreed before your company is identified. You owe us nothing. There's nothing exclusive to sign. We don't represent you, and we don't negotiate for anyone.
Start with your questions
Signal View Partners works with private investment groups and strategic acquirers. We provide acquisition sourcing, permission-based private introductions and follow-through. Buyers pay our fees. You owe us no fee and sign no exclusive engagement. We don't represent you, can't bind either party, and don't negotiate or accept terms for anyone. You don't need a sale planned. If you'd like to understand whether a buyer might fit, you can reach us through the owner inquiry form. If now isn't the time, that's a perfectly good answer.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, accounting, investment or valuation advice. Talk with your own attorney and accountant about your situation.
Sources
General information, not legal, tax, accounting, investment or valuation advice. Consider your circumstances with the appropriate advisers.