Buyside Parameters and Investment Thesis:
Our client and their portfolio company management were looking to expand the membership management platform with an emphasis on adding educational and training components to the platform.
Opportunities Delivered by Ether:
Through a nationwide search, we identified and screened over 150 target companies—including many smaller, niche software providers that were not readily visible in the market, but that we were able to uncover through our research capabilities and access to market-specific data.
We spoke with the founder of a company that created a continuing education and learning management system for associations. The founder was interested in speaking with our client but felt it was a bit too early to look at taking an exit. We were able to effectively explain our client’s strategy and how the founder’s business could be a key part of the growth—leading to a win-win partnership. We introduced the founder to our client and helped maintain discussions for over 18 months until our client made an offer and closed on the transaction.
Identified and screened over 150 target companies—including many smaller, niche software providers
Effectively explain our client’s strategy and how the founder’s business could be a key part of the growth—leading to a win-win partnership
The acquisition ended up being a key strategic add-on, and ultimately, a critical component of the platform. Less than three years later, the combined entity was sold at a very competitive valuation to a strategic acquirer. It stands as one of the top three most successful exits in our clients’ history.
This transaction serves as an example of Ether’s ability to see potential strategic value through research and relationship development, nurturing a relationship between the business owner and our client, and creating a smaller-scale strategic deal that ending up becoming a significant part of a much larger exit.
...the combined entity was sold at a very competitive valuation to a strategic acquirer. It stands as one of the top three most successful exits in our clients’ history.
