M&A Buy-Side Advisory
Not every acquisition creates growth some destroy it
Growth through acquisition is one of the fastest paths to scale, but only if you buy the right companies for the right reasons at the right price. I help clients identify acquisition targets, evaluate strategic fit, structure deals, and execute with discipline.
What it includes:
Target identification and outreach
Financial and operational due diligence
Deal structuring and negotiation
Integration planning and execution support
At Simple Mystery, we help founders acquire with clarity and confidence.
Our Buy-Side Retainer Program is designed for leaders who want to grow through acquisition, but only when it truly fits their strategy, culture, and ideal client profile.
Because not every deal is a good deal. The wrong acquisition can drain leadership, fracture teams, and slow momentum. Our job is to make sure the ones you pursue strengthen your vision, not complicate it.
Our Proven Framework: The 4 Intangible C’s
Every successful acquisition is built on more than numbers. We evaluate each opportunity using our proprietary 4 C Framework:
Human Capital: Assessing the depth and capability of the team. We look for organizations where leadership, tenure, and skillsets complement your culture, not depend entirely on the owner.
Structural Capital: Reviewing systems, processes, and scalability. We ensure the target has operational maturity and infrastructure that can integrate smoothly into your environment.
Customer Capital: Verifying Ideal Client Profile (ICP) alignment. We analyze the client base for profitability, contract stability, and overlap with your target market. The right customers build recurring revenue, the wrong ones erode it.
Social Capital: Evaluating culture and leadership compatibility. Culture drives growth; misalignment kills it. We focus on synergy, shared values, and communication styles that ensure long-term integration success.
By scoring and balancing these four dimensions against financial performance, we identify acquisitions that truly create value, not just expand your top line.
Ideal Client Profile (ICP) Alignment
Not every company’s clients are right for yours. We assess every target’s ICP to confirm that 40 % or more of their revenue aligns with your ideal segment, in size, industry, and geography.
Our approach ensures you acquire organizations whose clients strengthen your market position, enhance profitability, and fit naturally within your brand.
Our Retainer Service
Through our Buy-Side Retainer Program, Simple Mystery acts as your external M&A team, sourcing, vetting, and qualifying opportunities that align with your strategy.
What’s Included:
Target identification & pipeline management
4 C + Financial Readiness Scorecard analysis
Cultural & ICP fit evaluation
Pre-LOI advisory and post-close integration guidance
Who it's for:
Companies pursuing growth through acquisition, whether it's their first deal or their tenth.
