IBBA Insights Fall 2025

25

...failing to adapt to the rise of strategic buyers could mean

missing opportunities to bring stronger offers to sellers.

Understanding these buyers, who they are, what they prioritize,

and how to engage with them effectively is now crucial in

today’s market.

designed for individual buyers may not resonate

with strategic acquirers. Instead of presenting the

business as an independent opportunity, position it as

a growth asset that enhances an existing enterprise.

Consider incorporating:

• SWOT analysis emphasizing integration

potential

• Customer concentration insights highlighting

cross-selling opportunities

• Key personnel profiles, especially for businesses

where the team is the primary asset

• Operational synergies showing what the buyer

can eliminate, absorb, or leverage immediately

By reframing the business as a valuable addition

rather than a standalone entity, brokers can attract

companies thinking three steps ahead rather than

individual entrepreneurs.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

A GROWING OPPORTUNITY FOR BROKERS

Strategic buyers are not replacing traditional

financial buyers, they are expanding the market.

However, brokers who adapt to this shift and learn

how to identify, engage, and structure deals for

strategic acquirers will have a competitive advantage.

These buyers are well-capitalized, decisive, and

capable of closing transactions smoothly. They don’t

just acquire businesses, they acquire capability. A

broker’s role is to surface that capability, tell the right

story, and make the right introductions.

TRAVIS STRACK

tstrack@lionbusinessbrokers.com