This is the Program Archive for the Toronto Business Transitions Forum.
Mike Baker joined Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel in 2016 with over 20 years of experience as a trusted advisor to... Read More
Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012. Pierre leads a team of experts... Read More
As the associate director of the private equity team, Anthony supports the finance team’s reporting, forecasting, and planning functions for... Read More
As Managing Director and Head of Roynat Equity Partners, Mark is responsible for leading all aspects of the investment process,... Read More
As a partner, national lead for Transaction Advisory Services, and Private Equity, I oversee a team that delivers strategic, comprehensive... Read More
Alan Chettiar leads FirePower’s M&A Advisory team and sets its strategic direction. As a former principal at a boutique investment... Read More
Zamira is a Partner and Senior Managing Director in the Central Corporate Finance group and co-leads the consumer products sector... Read More
Artist, sculptor, entrepreneur, inventor, Bermingham’s work has been recognized for its elegance, simplicity, depth of thought, clarity of purpose and... Read More
Ian is a Canadian business leader. He is Managing Partner at Rundle – www.rundlepartners.com – a firm making majority investments... Read More
Angela’s transactional experience includes public and private M&A (both buy and sell side), public listings, private placement financings, prospectus offerings... Read More
Terry is a Partner and the Head of Valuations at Kalos LLP. Terry joined the firm in 2020 in order... Read More
Reena Chaudhary is the Managing Partner of Sia Partners, a next generation global management consulting firm. Mrs. Chaudhary is responsible... Read More
Julie Ellis has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and was most recently the Chief Operating Officer... Read More
Joined Crosbie in 2021 Partner at Crosbie responsible for leading M&A, financing and other financial advisory mandates across various industry... Read More
Built and ran Canada’s largest Atlassian Platinum partner with $24M plus revenue and 40 staff. 120 + Clients including a... Read More
As Director, Business Development at Origin Merchant Partners, Karen Fisman builds and manages partnerships with private equity and private debt... Read More
Waldemar is the President of Transworld Business Advisors of Ontario. He is a value creation focused senior business intermediary, business... Read More
As part of BDC Capital’s Growth & Transition team, I work with business owners every day using my background, market... Read More
Stephanie joined Leith Wheeler’s Toronto office in August 2016 with a solid foundation in wealth management and investment counselling. In... Read More
John Hotson is an entrepreneur, strategist, speaker and advisor to business owners. He has over 35 years of experience of... Read More
Kristi has been providing mid-market businesses with relationship-focused, strategic financing for over twenty years. As National Managing Director, Kristi leads First West Capital across Canada and delivers tailored subordinated-debt, mezzanine and equity financing solutions for growth, acquisitions and transitions. Prior to First West Capital, Kristi spent ten years with Vancity Capital, another B.C.-based subordinated debt fund. She has also worked with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Small Enterprise Equity Fund of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Don’s deep and passionate belief that he has the opportunity to positively impact and change people’s lives by providing a... Read More
Jarred Knecht is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with over 15 years of challenging the status quo. A true passion... Read More
Rob is President of SeaFort Capital, a private equity firm based in Halifax. Prior to co-founding SeaFort in May 2012,... Read More
Kleo Landucci is the CEO & President of CrescentView Investments Ltd. (CVI), a familyinvestment company. In 2004, Ms. Landucci joined... Read More
Relay Transition Partners is dedicated to the sale of small and medium businesses in Canada (SMBs). Our partners understand the... Read More
Debby Carreau is a proven leader helping businesses become inspired workplaces. She is highly regarded globally as a human capital... Read More
Jacoline Loewen is an investment banker, advisor, author, and speaker based in Toronto, Canada. She is the founder and CEO... Read More
Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the industry, Matthew focuses on serving the distinct needs of the affluent... Read More
Mike is an entrepreneur at heart. He has built, acquired and sold his own private businesses and guided 100+ entrepreneurs... Read More
An adventurer and passionate outdoor enthusiast, Cedar believes in the importance of connections to nature in one’s daily life. The... Read More
Eddy Burello is Business Advisor and Partner with MNP in Toronto. Drawing on 35 years of experience in public accounting,... Read More
Colin Brown is Managing Director at McNally Brown Group, a boutique management consulting firm that provides strategic, operational and financial... Read More
Jonathan Lehun is a Vice President in the M&A Sell-Side Advisory division with over eight years of experience in M&A... Read More
Dan is a Managing Director in Grant Thornton Canada’s Transactions practice, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and capital advisory services... Read More
Andreea moved to Canada from Romania at the age of 10 with her parents. In Europe, her father was a... Read More
Presently Ashlynne holds the position of Executive Director of Norwood Sawmills [Norwood Industries Inc.]. She recently stepped down from the... Read More
Kenan Dizdarevic leads the execution of FirePower’s M&A and corporate finance advisory transactions. Kenan joined FirePower in 2018 and brings... Read More
Noemie Dupuy, Co-Founder at Budge Studios, is a veteran in the tech industry with more than 20 years under her belt.... Read More
Alex is a lawyer in the Business Law Group and the Financial Services Group and advises clients on a broad... Read More
Tina Di Vito, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA, is a Partner and National Leader of Family Office Services, part of... Read More
Brad Geddes is President and CEO of Zucora Inc., Canada’s leading provider of product warranties for the home furnishings industry.... Read More
Bruce is an experienced CEO with deep expertise in strategy and execution. Since selling his business in 2002 he has... Read More
Matt Macdonald is the Managing Director & Head of the National Client Group outside of Quebec and the Vice-President of... Read More
Khasha Ighanian is President of Prollenium Medical Technologies and an Executive Board Member. Khasha has steered the growth and development of... Read More
Marino Jeyarajah is a Tax Partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions Tax group and has over twelve years of experience... Read More
Richard McCammon MASc ICD.D currently leads C6 Launch Systems, an aerospace company designing and building a launch vehicle specifically engineered... Read More
I’m a partner in Grant Thornton’s financial advisory group, where I specialize in business valuation and litigation support services. I... Read More
As a Partner at Turtle, Michael is responsible for sourcing, evaluating and supporting new investment opportunities. Prior to joining Turtle,... Read More
Pamela Miranda is Founding Partner at MIII MSP Corp (MIII MSP), a buyout firm focused in partnering with great founders... Read More
Loren Rafeson is Partner, Growth Equity Partners, at BDC Capital where he helps leading Canadian companies scale nationally and internationally,... Read More
Bill has been a professional advisor working with business owners for over 25 years. As a Certified Exit Planner, Bill... Read More
Ian Macdonell is a Managing Director of Crosbie with over 25 years of experience in investment banking and capital markets.... Read More
As a trusted advisor to corporate executives, business owners and their families, as well as the legal community for more... Read More
Experienced technology professional with in-depth knowledge of MSP best practices and procedures. Strong understanding of BCP & DR planning as... Read More
Barbara is a longtime financier having spent the last 25 years in various roles within Roynat Capital including business development,... Read More
Stephanie joined Trivest in 2020 and is responsible for originating and analyzing acquisition opportunities. Based in Toronto, she manages Trivest’s... Read More
Mike McCarron is the President of Left Lane Associations, M&A advisors specializing in the Canadian transportation sector. Mike is a... Read More
Danish Jamal, CPA, CA, CFA, CBV, is a Director in MNP’s Corporate Finance team. Based in Toronto, Danish works closely... Read More
Tom Kennedy is the founder of Kensington Capital Partners and Chair of the Investment Committee. Tom serves on the Advisory Boards of several private equity funds and private companies and has been an active supporter of the Private Equity and Venture Capital business in Canada. His public service and philanthropic work has been a longstanding, and focused on education and healthcare.
Kris is a Director in our Transactions practice specializing in corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). Kris is a... Read More
Pamela Ruebusch is the founder and owner of TSI Group. When she started the business over three decades ago, Pamela’s... Read More
Dianne joined Nexus in 2001, after working with KPMG’s Personal Financial Planning Practice. At Nexus, she advises clients on issues... Read More
Yogi Sennik is the CEO of Joriki Inc. a beverage manufacturer located in Canada. Established in 1992, Joriki is a... Read More
Chrisoula Mirkopoulos graduated from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal, with a Bachelor of Commerce... Read More
Beric Farmer cofounded XE with a high-school friend in 1993 as they were both graduating from university. A year and... Read More
Mr. Mirkopoulos holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering, Engineering Science Nuclear Program from the University of Toronto, and... Read More
Claudio is a medical technology entrepreneur with a long experience in the industry. He is a hands-on executive, that combines... Read More
Adrian is the CEO of eCompliance, a safety software company which he formed with his business partner after experiencing the... Read More
As founder & CEO, Paul is the reason why we’re all here. Along with Bob Walker, Paul built Prophix from... Read More
Ian Michael’s practice is focused on corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions involving public companies... Read More
Oren heads FirePower Capital’s Value Maximization division, focused on leveraging big data analytics to aggressively drive shareholder value ahead of... Read More
A serial entrepreneur and corporate strategist known for disrupting traditional markets, Mia is the CEO of MSL Canada and co-founder... Read More
Jess Grossman is the Founder & CEO of In Social, a full-service digital marketing agency that acts as the outsourced... Read More
David has created or acquired small businesses in a range of industries including golf courses, tennis clubs, oil field services,... Read More
Ilan Jacobson is responsible for leading FirePower Capital in all its endeavours, setting its strategic direction and providing top-level guidance... Read More
Erin has over 20 years of professional event management experience, and a passion for conferences and tradeshows. Her creativity, attention... Read More
As Managing Director of Dynamic Legacy Inc, Ms. Fulford provides independent and objective advisory services for Family Offices [Single, Multi... Read More
Welcome to the 6th annual Business Transitions Forum in Toronto. We are excited to be back to in person events and thrilled to have an excellent conference program with over 40 entrepreneurs and experts sharing their insights and stories about companies that have previously sold. You will learn from experts and connect with peer groups who will offer valuable insights to help you with transition strategy – whether you’re just beginning to think about it or well-advanced down the path.
Jeff is a senior consultant in the BDO Advisory Services Practice. With 20+ years of facilitation and coaching experience,... Read More
David has over 12 years of experience in providing term / sub debt and investment banking services to entrepreneurs and... Read More
Nancy Adamo’s business accolades and contribution to Canadian society has been recognized throughout her career. In 1998, she was given... Read More
Eric Berke is the Managing Partner of TorQuest and joined at inception in 2002. Prior to TorQuest, Eric led the turnaround... Read More
Jason (Jake) Bullen is a partner in the Business Law Group and Co-Chair of the Private Equity Group at Cassels Brock. His practice focuses... Read More
Born and raised in Owen Sound, Steven enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two boys. As a lover... Read More
Michele Cooper is Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital (GTC). With more than 15 years of experience in various roles at BDC,... Read More
As the Founder of Versature, Paul Emond provides the strategic vision and direction for the company. He is a serial... Read More
Ryan is the National Corporate Finance Leader and leads the Transaction Advisory Services practice in BDO’s Toronto office. Ryan has... Read More
Bob Fitzgerald is the Chief Executive Officer of SCM. Bob was appointed the CEO of SCM in January of 2015,... Read More
Over the past 25 years, Tim Cestnick has developed a reputation as one of the most respected authors, speakers and... Read More
Bruce is Founder, Co- Chairman and Co-CEO of Evergreen Consumer Brands (ECB). ECB is a fully integrated consumer products company... Read More
Joanna Gibbons is a Partner and Managing Director in the PwC Corporate Finance / M&A Advisory practice where she draws... Read More
Jennifer is the President and CEO at Harding Fire Protection, a leading fire and life safety services company in Ontario.... Read More
A DTA stalwart since joining over 30 years ago, Melissa heads up the business as its President and CEO, managing... Read More
Ron Haik is a Senior Financial Planner in the firm’s Toronto office, with over 20 years of experience in the... Read More
Jeff is a partner in our advisory services practice based in Toronto specializing in corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions... Read More
Samantha Horn is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Groups. Her practice focuses primarily on mergers... Read More
Ray has over 20 years of experience structuring financial solutions. He is experienced in mergers & acquisitions, business advisory, lending... Read More
Christopher’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and private equity, venture and corporate finance transactions. He regularly advises Canadian, U.S.... Read More
Dave started working in the debt collection industry for his father’s company (John Rae) in the summers during his high... Read More
Michael spent several years working with Xerox; de Havilland Aircraft; Nortel Networks and also in Strategy Consulting with Coopers &... Read More
Ryan Newell is the President and CEO of Spinrite Yarns. Ryan joined Spinrite in 2002 as Chief Financial Officer and... Read More
Mario Nigro is a partner in the Toronto office of Stikeman Elliott and a member of the firm’s M&A/Private Equity... Read More
Its Darryl’s mission to help businesses fulfill their strategic vision. Through innovative junior capital solutions, and a collaborative approach, he... Read More
With investment management and wealth advisory experience dating back to 1972, Our Family Office Co-Founder, Executive Chairman, and CIO enjoys... Read More
Jason Sellakumar is a dynamic Chartered Accountant who brings accounting and finance expertise to the Canadian mid-market. As an Associate... Read More
As a partner in RSM Canada’s tax practice, Stephen provides integrated Canadian income tax advice and solutions to the firm’s... Read More
Eric Castonguay is a partner and the National Leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance Inc. (PwCCF). He has experience in all... Read More
Darin Brock joined TorQuest in 2006 and currently oversees the firm’s external relationships, managing business development and investment sourcing activities,... Read More
Perry, as president of ESOP Builders Inc., has designed and implemented over 160 ESOPs – Employee Share Ownership Plans –... Read More
Jonathan Piurko is the Co-Founder and CEO of Monarch Bridge Financial Corp. Mr. Piurko is responsible for all executive functions... Read More
Paris Aden is the founding Partner of Valitas Capital Partners. Mr. Aden has broad industry experience, with a focus on the... Read More
David Shlagbaum is a Business Lawyer and a Facilitator and is the Managing Principal at DSBL Business Law ( https://dsbl-law.com/... Read More
Before joining Left Lane Associates as a Co-Founder & Managing Partner in 2016, Peter Stefanovich spent over 8 years in... Read More
David Anderson operates a private investment company that invests in small to mid-market Canadian companies. He most recently participated as a principal... Read More
A Deal Advisory Partner, Miguel brings 10 years of experience supporting Canadian transactions for mid-market private equity firms and strategic... Read More
Since founding Honk in 2013, Michael has been applying knowledge, success and wealth of experience to create a much-needed solution... Read More
Robert R. Bedard is the co-founder, President and CEO of the Bempro Global Group which includes BMP Metals (Custom metal... Read More
Sam’s primary role is to source new business opportunities and execute transactions throughout Canada, and the U.S. East Coast. Previously,... Read More
Bill is recently and happily retired after a thirty-five year career in Sales, Marketing and Leadership with Coyle Corrugated Containers. ... Read More
Mary Beth Denomy is an entrepreneur and event industry veteran. She is the Founder of Proof Experiences (Free For All... Read More
Alex is a lawyer in our Business Law Group and Financial Services Group and advises clients on a broad range... Read More
The Managing Director of Business Transition Planning and Trust Services with CIBC Private Wealth Management, Sean joined CIBC from another... Read More
Stella Gasparro, CPA, CA, is a Partner in MNP’s Toronto office. She specializes in providing local and cross-border tax planning... Read More
Lyne Gaulin is a Partner at Richter specializing in Tax. Lyne has over 23 years of experience in providing advice... Read More
Pierre Ouimet is the Head Investment Strategist for UBS Bank (Canada)’s Wealth Management on our Canadian equity strategies and Asset... Read More
Mark has been a leader in the conference and tradeshow business for over 25 years with a proven track record for success. As a... Read More
Nancy Ramalho is a partner in the Employment & Labour Group. Nancy provides advice to national and international companies on... Read More
Terran learned the construction business literally from the ground up by apprenticing under his father, GS founder Glen Sandwith. He started... Read More
As the national tax leader at RSM Canada, Maria sets the vision and direction of the firm’s tax practice. Having... Read More
James is the co-founder of Signal Hill Equity Partners and has over 25 years’ experience investing and building companies. He... Read More
Danielle is a member of MNP’s Private Enterprise team in Ottawa. A trusted advisor, Danielle helps family businesses with intergenerational... Read More
Zulf Karim is Director, Growth Equity with BDC Capital in Toronto. He is responsible for leading equity investments alongside Canadian... Read More
Karen Killeen is a CPA, CA with broad private and public company experience. While in public accounting, Karen worked with... Read More
Kevin Tremblay, CPA, CA, CBV, CF, is a Managing Director of MNP Corporate Finance, based in Toronto. With a focus on... Read More
Rob is the Managing Director of BDC Capital’s Growth & Transition Capital team in Toronto. Since joining BDC in 2009,... Read More
Brian Love is a growth driven aviation executive with extensive experience in international sales, contract negotiations and business operations. Brian... Read More
Mr. Mark is responsible for executing Rhyno’s investment strategies by seeking new opportunities and managing the acquisition process in order... Read More
Jonah is responsible for advising and developing advanced estate and tax planning strategies for his clients. He brings over 10... Read More
Pat founded APEX Public Relations (www.apexpr.com) in 1998 and built a strong business and a roster of blue chip clients. ... Read More
I started the Neograft company in 2008. I searched for a product to sell in the anti aging sector. I... Read More
Conor joined BDC in 2010 and had been a Director in the Growth & Transition Capital team since 2015 providing... Read More
Born in Montreal, Pierre completed a degree in Economics at Loyola College in 1968. He completed a Masters Business Administration... Read More
Arlene has developed a broad range of expertise in the areas of corporate and commercial law, with a strong focus... Read More
Victoria Sopik is first and foremost the mother of eight children and grandmother of many. The CEO and Co-founder’s experiences... Read More
Randy Ambrosie has worked in the investment industry in both Canada and the United States for nearly 30 years. Most... Read More
Earl is an accomplished Pipeline Rehabilitation Specialist, with a proven track record for leading world class operations in Trenchless Sewer... Read More
Colleen works with clients and advisors to develop sound wealth management plans. She provides support and direction about complex issues... Read More
Devon Cranson is the Founder and President of Cranson Capital, a boutique investment banking firm founded in 2006. Devon has... Read More
Rachel Skelton joined TorQuest in 2013. Previously, she worked at McKinsey & Company advising clients on growth and turnaround strategies... Read More
Sab Ravalli is President and Founder of Axium Capital Corp. and a Capital Partner at Terra Cotta Financial Group Inc. He... Read More
Steve Gunn is the co-founder and Co-Chair of Sleep Country Canada. He was the CEO of Sleep Country from 1997... Read More
Gord has enjoyed a colourful 25 year career working in a wide range of roles in several industries, and in... Read More
Matt is the Managing Partner of Market Square Equity Partners. Market Square Equity Partners (“MSEP”) is a Toronto based private... Read More
For over 25 years, entrepreneurial clients across all industries have benefited from Mitch’s ability to make strategic tax and business... Read More
Jim is a member of the High Net Worth Planning team at BMO Wealth Management, where he leads the Business... Read More
Ken is a Managing Director at MPA. He is responsible for transaction origination, engagement design and execution, client development and... Read More
Ashley Herman is the Vice President and owner of Freshway Development, an investment company that targets the construction, environmental and... Read More
Jeff began his career with Proctor & Gamble, spending 10 years in finance, operations, and supply chain management. He then... Read More
Aileen is a trusted and highly experienced consultant to accomplished business owners and a uent families on matters associated with transition... Read More
Giovanni Marcelli came to Canada from Italy in 1969 after obtaining a college Diploma in Electro-Technical Engineering. In 1972 Mr.... Read More
Cathy has over 20 years of experience as an investment banker, CFO, and board director working closely with healthcare and... Read More
Ken is the Managing Partner of NewPoint Capital Partners Inc, a Toronto based Mergers & Acquisitions advisory firm. He has... Read More
Eric Termuende is the co-founder of NoW Innovations, a bestselling author, and an international speaker. His work has been featured... Read More
Robert is the National Leader of Corporate Finance, the Global Co-Leader of Debt & Capital Advisory and is also on... Read More
Frank Pizzolato is an angel investor, advisor and serial entrepreneur. Frank co-founded Clarity Systems, an enterprise software company focused on... Read More
Matt is the Chief Canadian Equity and Structured Note Strategist for RBC Capital Markets. Prior to this, Matt ran the... Read More
As a senior partner of Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis LLP and leader of its AB Strategy practise, with... Read More
With over 20 years’ experience Carey Singer is an accomplished tax consultant. Having relocated to Toronto from his native Chicago... Read More
As the Managing Partner of Collins Barrow Toronto, Harry sets vision and direction for the firm nationally and internationally, spearheading... Read More
Giselle Bodkin is a Partner with BDO Canada and valued member of BDO’s National Policy Board. She has over 25... Read More
Don Carson, CPA, CA, is the Regional Tax Leader for MNP in the Greater Toronto Area and the National Leader... Read More
Adam is a Managing Partner with Holcan Investments. Holcan is a family office with a focus on investing in mid-sized... Read More
Colin Walker is a Managing Director of Crosbie with over 30 years of experience in investment banking, corporate banking and capital... Read More
Curtis Cusinato is a partner practising corporate and securities law in the firm’s Toronto office with an emphasis on domestic... Read More
Matthew Cumming is a partner in our M&A and Securities Group in Toronto. He has expertise in a broad range... Read More
Mr. Duboc’s career is marked by his passion for entrepreneurship, his ingenuity and corporate and community leadership. Sam is a... Read More
John Francis is the Managing Director of Fraser Kearney Capital Corp., an investment company that oversees the Francis family office.... Read More
Ted Shoub has a corporate commercial practice and advises private companies on mergers and acquisitions, financings, corporate governance and general... Read More
Paul has extensive experience in all aspects of Fulcrum’s private equity investments including originating, executing and managing investments. He brings... Read More
Rachel is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Tax Partner with BDO Canada LLP out of Toronto. She assists clients in... Read More
Ed Giacomelli has over 25 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance and capital markets, having advised numerous clients... Read More
Steve Hartman is a founder of Industrial Thermo Polymers Limited (ITP), a leading manufacturer of extruded polyethylene foam products in... Read More
Robin is responsible for providing advanced trust, estate and succession planning to affluent business owners, with a specialization in tax-effective... Read More
Doug practises mergers and acquisitions and all aspects of commercial law with a particular emphasis on company acquisitions and dispositions,... Read More
Howard is a Managing Director at Veracap M&A International and its sister firm, Campbell Valuation Partners. He advises business owners... Read More
Jeff is the Director of Business Transition Services in the BDO Special Advisory Services Group. A highly trusted advisor with many... Read More
Jason is a member of the Lead Advisory team where he focuses on M&A, divestitures, buyouts and capital-raising activities. Jason... Read More
David began his career with Allied International Credit in the UK, after graduating from the University of Western Ontario with... Read More
Luanna McGowan is the President of The McGowan Group Inc., former National Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and founder of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Centre... Read More
Graham has extensive domestic and international experience advising corporations and financial institutions on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance... Read More
Ezer Mevorach is the C.E.O. of Mevotech LP, based in Toronto, Ontario. Mevotech is a North American market leader in... Read More
Haroon F. Mirza is the Entrepreneur in Residence of OneEleven, a post-seed tech accelerator focused on helping Canada’s most promising,... Read More
As Managing Partner and founder of Prompta Inc., a leading consultancy, Tim brings 20+ years of experience successfully leading transformational... Read More
Doris Valade is founder and President of Malabar Super Spice Co. Ltd., a distributor and manufacturer of quality spices and... Read More
Shubo’s focus is on helping entrepreneur managed companies with Mergers & Acquisitions. He was previously an Equity Partner/Managing Director at... Read More
Brent is responsible for transaction origination and execution, financial advisory and capital raising activities. These activities have been across a... Read More
Al co-founded Ironbridge in September, 2005. Prior to Ironbridge, from 2003 to 2005, he was a Partner in the Equity... Read More
Vince has 20+ year experience working with private companies in services, distribution and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining Granite, Vince... Read More
Growing up in a car dealership has always been second nature to me. My earliest memories include the smell of... Read More
Angelo Zeni is Team Lead, Growth & Transition Capital in our Mississauga office. Angelo joined BDC in 2011, bringing more than... Read More
Bruno has held various roles at BDO, most recently as Manager, Financial Advisory Services. Bruno has spent the past several... Read More
Steve Suske is President and CEO of Suske Capital Inc. A proven entrepreneur with over 40 years of professional experience... Read More
John Wilson is Managing Partner at ninepoint partners, an alternative asset manager based in Toronto with $3 billion in AUM... Read More
While still in grad school, Basil co-founded Nexus Engineering. Nexus grew to seven companies with over 300 employees with operations... Read More
Andrew joined Ironbridge in November 2014. Prior to Ironbridge, from 2011 to 2014, Andrew was a Partner with Signal Hill... Read More
John Warrillow has been helping companies understand and market to the SME segment for more than two decades. He has... Read More
In 2013, Barry joined Ontario Excavac (“OE”) as an investor and CEO. OE is the largest and leading provider of... Read More
Wendy is a senior consultant at the Family Business Consulting Group, working closely with business leaders, family firms, and boards.... Read More
Jamie Windle is Director in the Transaction Advisory Services practice at BDO specializing in transaction support and due diligence services... Read More
Fay Wu is a recognized strategic leader and exemplary business builder with depth and breadth across all major operational areas.... Read More
The dictionary defines entrepreneur as “one who organizes, manages and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise”. As one of eight children born... Read More
Transitioning a family business can be a complicated process, with many issues to address and dynamics to overcome. It can be a minefield of unforeseen obstacles and challenges. In fact, for the first time in history, there could be up to four (4) different generations in the workplace at the same time! In this session, the speaker will help bring order to chaos by providing tools and perspectives to successfully navigate your family business transition. Is an intergenerational transition right for your business or would a management buyout or a sale to a third party be a better route? The speaker will help owners uncover the best options in light of individual circumstances. Examples of real life situations will be highlighted to illustrate what business owners and their families have done to effectively prepare for the biggest transition of their lives.
This session runs at the same time as Session A2.
Join Samuel Duboc in a “fireside” chat with John Francis formerly with Trader Media as he looks back in the rear view mirror on the sale of his Auto Trader publication. Yellow Pages Group acquired 65 specialized publications, including Auto Trader from Mr. Francis for $436M, 10 times earnings at the time.
When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill – in fact, if you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the purchase price in your pocket. But, if you ultimately want to sell and today is not the optimal time, there are also strategies to recapitalize in order to take some chips off the table in a tax-preferred manner. The recapitalization strategy is an opportunity to bring the concepts of cashflow financing, business valuation, and due diligence together, along with tax minimization and corporate structure planning. Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities to reduce or even eliminate tax, with the right preparation and enough time to implement. The moral of the story? Structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization, and consider all of your business options to reap the benefits; or fail to plan ahead of time and pay the price. The presenters will discuss real-world examples of proper versus improper planning related to the transition of your business so that you can avoid pitfalls.
This session runs at the same time as Session B2.
If you talk to owners who have sold some or all of their businesses, you may be surprised to learn that many didn’t sell to the highest bidder. In every business transition, there are a number of key terms in addition to purchase price that are at stake. What impact will the eventual sale have on your staff, suppliers, community and legacy? What role can you expect to play after the transaction? What transaction bonuses are at stake? This session will explore what needs to be negotiated and how to gain leverage in the negotiation process to ensure the ideal fit and terms for the eventual sale of your business.
This session runs at the same time as Session B1.
Many business owners dream of cashing out, retiring and running off into the sunset, others wish to ensure that their financial legacy continues into future generations. How might insurance play a role in the preservation of capital? What challenges are to be expected after a big pay-out? What unique investment vehicles are ideal parking opportunities for the proceeds generated by the sale of some or all of your business?
You will hear from a panel of seasoned wealth and insurance experts as they suggest some of the best strategies to build your net worth. Each will share a “big idea” that all investors should have on their radar.
After attending this session, you will understand what the ideal exit team looks like and how to select the best advisors for your business. You’ll also learn what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid.
Hear from a panel of business owners who have sold their businesses for millions and now have the opportunity to reflect on the deal in the rear view mirror. What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Would they negotiate differently, would they identify different strategic consultants or would they second guess their decision to sell? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
You’ll learn why:
The process of selling or transitioning a business is complicated and uncertain. This session provides a bird’s-eye view of the transition process so that you can build your own roadmap and understand exactly what you should be doing now in order to get your business ready. The speaker will address the market outlook for transitioning, if you’re looking to do so in the next 3-5 years. This overview of the process of selling a business will help you start preparations, mitigate risk, improve upside and ultimately secure the reward you deserve when the time is right.
Many business owners are disappointed when they don’t receive the valuations they expect, or worse, they can’t find any buyers at all. With an aging population and droves of business owners looking for an exit, your eventual buyer could be in the driver’s seat. As a business owner, it’s imperative that you focus on the specific areas of your business that drive value, even if you have no immediate intention of selling. This session will outline a number of value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the saleability and value of your business.
You’re contemplating ways to turn years of hard work into cash, but what are your options? Should you look to your senior management team as potential investors, assuming they are interested and able to invest in your business? Should you look outside your firm for strategic buyers? Could Private Equity, Search Funds or other entities provide liquidity opportunities? This session will help you learn what distinguishes different classes of buyers, depending on your size of business, and what other options you have to generate capital. The panel will address the pros and cons of various options that could allow you to take some chips off the table.
When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill – in fact, if you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the purchase price in your pocket. Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities to reduce or even eliminate tax, with the right preparation and enough time to implement. The presenters will discuss real-world examples so that you can avoid pitfalls. In addition, this session will address alternative strategies to recapitalize in order to take some chips off the table in a tax-preferred manner, if you don’t plan on selling in the near-term.
This session runs at the same time as Session A2.
It is fundamental to understand that when selling your business, the process itself will have a major impact on the price you receive. Furthermore, the terms dictated by the seller in a transaction will significantly impact the price. What terms can be negotiated and are in the best interests of the buyers and sellers? The panel will discuss potential terms and elaborate on best practices with respect to the process of your transaction. Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
This session runs at the same time as Session A1.
Join conference chairman Barry Wood in a “fireside” chat with Stephen Gunn as he discusses Sleep Country Canada’s unique transition story.
The successful sale of a business involves many moving parts, making it the largest and possibly most complicated transaction of your life. You can’t do this alone, you will need a team of professionals to help you successfully sell your company. The right team will get you the best price, terms and most importantly, ensure that the transaction closes.
After attending this session, you will understand what the ideal exit team looks like and how to select the best advisors for your business. You’ll also learn what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid
This session runs at the same time as Session B2.
When is the right time to start thinking about your post transition plan and what does it look like? What impact will the transaction have on your family, your emotions and on your lifestyle? Hear a panel of experts review a case study of a real transaction and discuss the internal and external steps required. This discussion will include how to handle the transition from wealth creator to wealth manager, and the role of the family trust advisory.
This session runs at the same time as Session B1.
Many deals collapse at the structuring or due diligence stage. Buyers and Sellers often have differing needs and objectives. And while the idea of providing unfettered access to your confidential business information may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure once a letter of intent is signed. This panel discussion will highlight key areas of tension and risk for sellers. You’ll learn ways to maintain control of the sale process without impeding success.
You will hear first-hand stories (the good, bad and ugly) that outline what owners and advisors have experienced during the transition journey. Buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots. This is your opportunity to learn about common “deal breakers” so that you and your advisors can prepare for them to ensure you maintain momentum during your transaction.
Some key areas to focus on include:
Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through a transition and sold their businesses for millions and now have the opportunity to reflect on the deal in the rear view mirror. What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Would they negotiate differently, would they identify different strategic consultants or would they second guess their decision to sell? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
Introduction by Robert Duffy, Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital Ontario and Atlantic, BDC Capital
What trends will impact the biggest transaction of your life? How does the current economic trend impact business owners that are thinking of transitioning in the coming years? How will financial markets, interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact deal terms and multiples? This macro view of the economy and the M&A environment will put things into perspective so that you can plan for a successful transition.
Why should exit-readiness be a part of your business plan? Why prepare your company for sale, even if you have no plans to sell?
The answer is simple: A sellable company usually operates better, in addition to being more valuable – so even if you don’t sell, exit-readiness will make your business stronger.
There are a number of preparatory steps you should be taking as a business owner to ensure you are “exit ready,” after-all, the process of selling or transitioning a business is complicated and uncertain.
Sometimes exits can happen sooner than expected and sometimes they need to be accelerated based on what is happening in the market. You may be presented with an inbound opportunity to sell some or all of your business, or unexpected personal and/or external factors could force your hand. This session will help you assess both your personal and corporate exit readiness; including areas of transition that provide the most opportunity and risk.
You’re contemplating ways to turn years of hard work into cash, but what are your options? Should you look to your senior management team as potential investors, assuming they are interested and able to invest in your business? Should you look outside your firm for strategic buyers? Could Private Equity, Family Offices or other entities provide liquidity opportunities? In this session a panel of experts will help you learn what distinguishes different classes of buyers, depending on your size of business, and what other options you have to generate capital. The panel will discuss various liquidity options including:
There are many reasons to look outside the ranks of your firm or family to find a potential suitor for your business. Depending on the size and type of business you operate and your own personal circumstances – marketing your company to strategic, financial or other buyers, including private equity, might be your most lucrative exit strategy.
That said, the values and terms discussed in any potential offer for your business will vary significantly depending on the type of potential third-party buyers approached; and even moreso, by how potential buyers are approached.
The panel will elaborate on best practices that will help you optimize and strategize a 3rd party transition – with the goal of ultimately finding and securing a buyer at a fair price. Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
For many business owners, a management buyout is the best transition option available. While a transition within the senior ranks of your business may be the best option, there are risks and potential missteps to avoid. The panel will identify opportunities that could impact your successful MBO, as well as diverse ways to finance the transaction. They will cover:
Transitioning a business can be a complicated process – especially when family is involved. What impact will bringing in the younger generation have on family dynamics, emotions and lifestyle? The discussion will help bring order to chaos by providing tools and perspectives so you can successfully navigate your family business transition. Examples of real life situations will be highlighted to illustrate what other business owners and their families have done to effectively prepare for the biggest transaction of their lives.
Join Jeff Noble in “Fireside Chat” with Robert Bedard, Founder of BMP Metals, as they discuss the intergenerational transition of BMP.
Join Bruce Harbinson in a discussion with Pierre Morrissette, Founder and Executive Chairman, Pelmorex Corp (Formerly Pelmorex Media Inc.), owner of The Weather Network.
Pelmorex, TWN’s parent company is the dominant weather player in Spain, which is the company’s fastest growing market. In a recent Ipsos Reid survey of the most influential brands in Canada, The Weather Network ranked 12th overall and 1st amongst Canadian-owned companies. In partnership with all authorized government agencies, TWN operates Canada’s emergency altering system, Alert Ready, and recently announced that its alerts will now also be sent to mobile phones in designated areas.
This discussion will not only explore how Pelmorex became such a trusted global leader, but Pierre will also share his insights on multi-generational family enterprise transition planning and the value of bringing outside talent into a family business.
When you sell or transition your business you may face a significant tax bill. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself with less than half of the sale price in your pocket. Fortunately, with the right preparation and enough time to implement, there are many opportunities to reduce tax significantly. We will look at how to structure your company well in advance of a potential sale or recapitalization and review new Canadian and US tax changes which could impact all private businesses in Canada.
The sale or transition of a business involves many moving parts. Whether you’re conducting a management buyout or running a process to find a third-party buyer, you’ll inevitably require support from tax and legal experts as well as investment bankers and other M&A professionals to close the deal successfully.
After attending this session, you will understand the benefits of having an exit team, what skill sets to look for and how to select the best advisors for your business transition. This session will also examine advisor fees and compensation.
When is the right time to start thinking about your post transition plan? Not having a plan is a major cause of remorse among business owners who have exited. What impact will a transaction have on your family, your emotions, your lifestyle and your legacy? In this session you will hear a panel of experts and owners share the their post transition experiences.
This discussion will also address transition from wealth creator to wealth manager.
While the idea of providing unfettered access to your confidential business information may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure once a letter of intent is signed. This panel discussion will highlight key areas of tension and risk for sellers. You’ll learn ways to maintain control of the sale process without impeding success.
You will hear first-hand stories that outline what owners and advisors have experienced during the transition journey. Buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots, this is your opportunity to learn about common “deal breakers” so that you and your advisors can prepare and maintain momentum during your transaction.
Some key areas to focus on include:
Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through a transition and now have the opportunity to reflect on the deal in the rear view mirror. How has the transition affected their personal and professional lives? What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Would they negotiate differently, work with different strategic advisors or would they second guess their decision to exit? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
A not-to-be-missed educational workshop for business owners who are serious about maximizing the proceeds of an eventual sale.
In this two-part, half-day workshop we’ll take a deep dive into operational and financial engineering that can take years to execute – guaranteed to increase the value of your business and improve the probability of finding buyers when the time is right. We’ll show you which areas of your business buyers value most (and why), and explain how to manage personal and corporate risk.
*The conference has been approved for the following continuing education credits:
Ontario lawyers may consider including this course as a CPD learning activity in your mandatory annual Continuing Professional Development Plan as required by the Law Society of Ontario. This program contains 3 hours and 25 minutes of Professionalism Content.
FEA designates may earn 7 hours of CE for the entire conference.
CPAs may include this content as verifiable CPD credits.
Introduction of Conference Chair: Michele Cooper, Managing Director, BDC Capital
The decisions you make today will ultimately impact your business in the future. What are the current economic conditions and market trends that business owners need to consider when thinking about transition? How will interest rates and/or the Canadian dollar impact deal terms and multiples? This macro view of the economy and the M&A environment will put things into perspective so that you can plan for the biggest transaction of your life.
Performance, leadership, and culture are the building blocks of all successful businesses. Understanding how strength in these areas drive the value and potential salability of your business value is critical. As a business owner, you need to focus on “growth” in all three areas to ensure you have the right team in place, even if you have no plans to sell.
Eligible for 1 hour of CPD Ontario Law Society credit.
There are different types of buyers: strategic, private equity, management and family among them. Understanding your potential buyer universe will help clarify your objectives for selling and what you want success to look like. In learning about the different classes of buyers and capitalization options, you will quickly see that it isn’t a one size fits all game. It’s about the best fit for your type and size of business. In this session, you will hear from different buyers and what influences their purchasing decisions. This session will help attendees prioritize which of the following breakouts to attend (A1, A2, A3)
There are many reasons involved in looking outside the ranks of your firm or family to find a potential suitor for your business. Depending on the size and type of business that you operate and your own personal circumstances, positioning your company to strategic, financial or other types of buyers including private equity, might be your most lucrative exit strategy. This session will dive into the mechanisms of selling your business to a third party for the best price and terms.
Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
When considering a Management Buyout (MBO), how do you equip your management team to become a credible bidder for the business? How is your leadership team positioned to perform? Have you effectively replaced yourself with the right skill sets and integrated your best people into the company’s operations, so they are prepared to become owners? Is the team aware of the risks and opportunities involved?
This session will cover:
If intergenerational transition is right for your business how are you professionalizing a family owned and operated firm? How are you supporting this shift in leadership? How do you put the right governance in place? Professionalizing your family business is perhaps one of the most complicated change-over options emotionally. Building capacity in the next generation needs to begin early on, and you may also need to consider outside, non-family executives.
In this session presenters will share their unique tools and perspectives so that you can successfully plan for your own family business transition.
You’ve Built An Amazing Business…
Now What?
Maybe it’s time to take a step back and let others step up?
Or maybe you’re considering bringing in an investor and ramping up?
Or perhaps you’re even thinking of selling your business in the next few years?
Regardless of what you envision for your next chapter, there are four factors that will lead to a happy and lucrative exit from the day-to-day operations of your business. Skip one of the four things and you may regret it, like the 75% of owners who say they absolutely wished they approached their exit a better way.
This session will help you define the second half of your business (and your life). Based on more than 200 in-depth interviews conducted for his podcast Built to Sell Radio (ranked by Forbes as one of their top 5 podcast for business owners), you’ll discover:
In this fireside chat, you will hear from business owner about critical moments in their succession — in the transition of leadership and ownership.
Eligible for 50 minutes of CPD Ontario Law Society credits.
In order to attract a wide range of financial and/or strategic buyers, you must identify the areas of risk within your business well in advance. Potential buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots once an offer is on the table; this is your chance to learn about “deal breakers” that luck within your business so that you and your advisors can prepare. Common challenges that will be discussed include:
Eligible for 50 minutes of CPD Ontario Law Society credits.
The successful sale of a business involves many moving parts, making it the largest and possibly most complicated transaction of your life. You can’t do this alone, you will need a team of professionals to help you successfully sell your company. The right team will get you the best price, terms and most importantly, ensure that the transaction closes.
After attending this session, you will understand what the ideal exit team looks like and how to select the best advisors for your business. You’ll also learn what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid.
Long-term thinking about your business is an enormous endeavor, the process of a sale can throw that thinking into chaos. One of the most important elements that gets lost is what happens after the deal is signed. Having a post-transition plan to help manage the impact this monumental change will have on your family, your emotions and your lifestyle.
This session will feature a case study of a transition and what internal and external steps were taken to handle the change from wealth creator to wealth manager.
In this Fireside Chat you will hear from a business owner about their recent transaction. Join Conor Snape, from BDC, as he sits down with Lennard Kipp to discuss the recent acquisition and leadership transition of All Canadian Display Company. Lennard will share some of the best practices used in the due diligence process, how to structure a transaction to better align the buyer and seller, the importance of understanding the culture of a company and optimizing capital structures for a smoother transition
Eligible for 45 minutes of CPD Ontario Law Society credits.
Hear from a panel of business owners and experts who have gone through transition with their businesses and now have the opportunity to reflect on the process in the rear view mirror. The panel will share insights on what they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and key learnings they have taken into their next endeavours. What would they change if they were to do it all again, if anything? Panelists will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
A not-to-be-missed educational workshop for business owners who are serious about maximizing the proceeds of an eventual sale.
In this two-part, half-day workshop we’ll take a deep dive into operational and financial engineering that can take years to execute – guaranteed to increase the value of your business and improve the probability of finding buyers when the time is right. We’ll show you which areas of your business buyers value most (and why), and explain how to manage personal and corporate risk.
The business decisions you make now during the COVID transition period will ultimately impact your business tomorrow and into the future. This opening session will provide real insights into a macro view of the economy while better understanding the economic impact from this pandemic, how organizations can prepare for the future and how to mitigate risk. This session will also address the expected timeline for different sectors to recover.
Negotiating the sale of your business can vary significantly, not only between bidders but also with any particular potential buyer. The process selected and terms dictated by the seller in a transaction will impact the “price” paid. It is fundamental to understand how the selling process will impact what you receive for your company. The panel will discuss and elaborate on best practices, industry myths and misconceptions, and alternatives for consideration in designing a process to structure your transaction for a fair price.
How has the role of an investment banker, lawyer and accountant changed post COVID? Will your advisory team help you streamline your business prior to selling and ultimately gain a bigger selling price at the finish line? This session will help you better understand the role each advisor plays and where they can make the difference as you look to transition.
How will the new normal post COVID work environment and structure affect how you run your business? This discussion with a small-medium size business owner will look at how business plans and strategies for growth have been impacted since the onset of COVID-19, what challenges and opportunities have presented themselves, and how plans and strategies moving forward have been impacted as a result of COVID-19.
Private Equity, institutional and private money, is currently sitting on $1.2 trillion and looking to invest over the next 6 to 24 months. What is investment looking for today when looking for businesses to acquire and how does this compare to private or institutional investment?
COVID-19 has not just changed the world but also the DNA of our workplace ecosystem in many ways. What are the key steps you need to take to effectively adjust, re-build, and grow your team and business? How open and transparent have you been with your team during the pandemic? This session will address numerous questions that entrepreneurs are asking themselves today and provide practical and proven approaches for how they can be effective leading their teams to renewed success.
While COVID-19 caused a dramatic slowdown to the deal making boom of the last several years as many businesses were forced to put transactions on hold and instead focus on shoring up operations, we expect to see a resurgence in M&A activity as dry-powder from financial sponsors searches for returns and strategic buyers look for opportunities to adapt, take market-share and take advantage of a new perspective on future prospects. How do buyers get comfortable completing deals in a non- face-to-face environment? How is due diligence being conducted? How are deals being financed? What technologies and solutions are being used to overcome logistical obstacles? This panel discussion will consider these questions and more on how to get a deal done during COVID-19.
How has the pandemic affected family business and what strategies has your family initiated to manage the heightened emotional rollercoaster? Family businesses can be challenging to manage at the best of times. Some see these difficult times to make the necessary structural changes to allow the business to prosper for many years to come. This panel will discuss many strategies that should be considered to effectively position your business post COVID.
Hear from a panel of business owners who have experienced COVID -19 but also previous business downturns including GFC and 9/11. The group will share real life experiences from the trenches and how they navigated through different market downturns. The panel will also share the personal side of how they managed themselves through COVID-19.
What do economic conditions and market trends look like in a world recovering from COVID? How has the pandemic affected your business and will the economy rebound to pre pandemic numbers? This session will provide insights into both a macro view of the economy, as well as provide insights on regional and industry sector differences. You will also get an understanding of the current mergers and acquisitions environment and factors which might impact it in the future.
Both buyers and sellers recognize that human capital is one of the most important assets in a company, but will it be preserved during the transition of a merger or acquisition? Strategies for talent retention, HR due diligence, structuring deals to keep people post deal, communication to staff, surviving general HR trends (like the Great Resignation) should be addressed long before a deal hits the table. It takes time to build a strong corporate culture and an acquirer wants to know that it is resilient enough to fit into a new mother ship and talent won’t peel off with a sale?
This session will cover issues such as:
What do buyers look for when assessing a potential acquisition? Growth prospects, financial health, management team, COVID impacts and strategic fit are just a few of the considerations.
In this panel strategic advisors and private equity purchasers will discuss the metrics that matter most to them, lessons they have learned along the way and what to consider if you are just looking for liquidity options (ie, you just want to take some cash off the table).
Negotiating the sale of your business can vary significantly, not only between bidders but also with any particular potential buyer. The process selected and terms dictated by the seller in a transaction will impact the “price” paid. It is fundamental to understand how the selling process will impact what you receive for your company.
The panel will discuss and elaborate on best practices, industry myths and misconceptions, and alternatives for consideration in designing a process to structure your transaction for a fair price. Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
In order to attract a wide range of financial and/or strategic buyers, you must identify the areas of risk within your business well in advance. Potential buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots once an offer is on the table; this is your chance to learn about “deal breakers” that work within your business so that you and your advisors can prepare. Common challenges that will be discussed include:
Family businesses are unique in that transitioning them to the next generation is a complex, often deeply emotional, endeavour. How do you prepare for a generational business that is resilient, while keeping the legacy you have built intact. Building capacity in the next generation needs to begin early on, and you may also need to consider outside, non-family executives.
In this session presenters will share their unique tools and perspectives so that you can successfully plan for your own family business transition.
Cinespace Film Studios, a leading service provider to the television, film and digital streaming industry, was founded by three brothers with an extraordinary vision. During their growth, they successfully transitioned the business to a second generation.
It was after this transition that The Mirkopoulous family assessed their strategic options; ultimately concluding that a sale to a strategic acquirer would accelerate the next stage of the company’s growth. The deal has elevated Cinespace, now the second largest independent owner of sound stages in North America and a world-leading studio/real estate platform for film, tv and media production.
In this session you will hear how a 35 year-old family-owned and operated business pivoted from succession mindset to a search for a strategic acquirer. What pledges did the acquirer make to satisfy the operating family and what changed the course of this family transition and ultimately lead to a successful transition?
COVID has prompted a surge in non-traditional M&A deal structures and accelerated deals. There are a number of transaction structures that aren’t reliant on a large amount of cash, and can take a variety of different forms, such as a management buyout or buy-in (MBO/MBI), acquiring minority stakes or entering cooperative arrangements through joint ventures, alliances, or partnerships as a success strategy.
This session will cover topics such as:
Knowing if you can afford to sell, and when you are ready to take the leap is the most difficult decision for many business owners. In addition to building a comprehensive succession plan and ensuring your organizational structure will not leave you with a giant tax bill, it is important to address the other factors to ensure a happy and prosperous life after the close. The ability to shift from an entrepreneurial mindset to a capital management position requires planning and with the right preparation and enough time to implement. There are a number of opportunities to maximize the money in your pocket and ensure your financial success long after the close.
Putting an emphasis on systematically growing your organization could be your secret weapon when looking to attract the right type of buyer for your business. Increasing revenues, market share or scaling operations will help make your business that much more attractive to potential acquirers.
This session will explore the necessary steps to maximizing business value before you engage the sale process including strategies, tactics and metrics you can put to work right away that will have immediate impact as well as set your company up for greater future success.
Do you really know what your business is worth? Has COVID affected your company’s valuation? Most business owners don’t get nearly what they should because they weren’t prepared, and this can gravely affect the value of your company. As a business owner, it’s imperative to focus on the specific areas of your business that drive value, even if you have no immediate intention of selling. Furthermore, a successful sale for your shareholders can be very different from what you, the business owner, defines as a success. From the get-go you should understand the levers you need to “push or pull” in order to optimize the results you are looking for.
This session will explore key value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the salability of your business.
Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through transition with their business and now have the opportunity to reflect on the process in the rear-view mirror. This panel will share insights on what they wish they had known at the beginning of their transition journey and their key learnings for their next endeavours. What would they change, if anything, if they were to do it all again? These business owners will help build and broaden your frame of reference by sharing their own war stories and tales from the trenches.
The secret to succession planning success is to be ready to sell, even if your business is not for sale. By being proactive, you’ll maximize the value of your business when the time, buyer and terms are right. Selling or otherwise exiting a business is, by far, the most complex transaction that most entrepreneurs will ever undertake. Detailed planning is instrumental and ideally begins long before any decision to sell. Starting your transition checklist is key to the end result.
Some general key points to include:
The successful sale of a business involves many moving parts, making it the largest and possibly most complicated transaction of your life. You can’t do this alone. You will need a team of professionals to help you successfully sell your company. The right team will get you the best price, terms and most importantly, ensure that the transaction closes.
After attending this workshop, you will understand what the ideal exit team looks like and how to select the best advisors for your business. You’ll also learn what your exit team will cost and how they’ll be paid.
While the idea of providing unfettered access to the confidential information pertaining to your business may sound scary, it is standard operating procedure when it comes to transitioning your business to an outsider. Learn about ways to maintain control of process without impeding success. While you may only go through the process with a buyer who you believe is qualified and fully committed to completion, many deals collapse at the due diligence stage. Buyers and their advisors will be on the lookout for red flags and trouble spots. This is your opportunity to learn about common “deal breakers” so that you and your advisors can prepare for them and maintain momentum during this crucial phase.
The decisions you make today will ultimately impact your business in the future. This session will provide insights into both a macro view of the economy, as well as cast a lens on regional and industry sector differences. You will walk away with:
Factors business owners should consider for the best long-term value for their business
As a business owner, it is important to have a plan to maximize the overall return you achieve on the capital, time and energy you invest in your business. Deciding whether and when to sell all or a portion of your business will help determine your success. Key considerations include (i) the number of years you are willing to commit to the future management of the business; (ii) the depth of your management team; (iii) your personal appetite for risk; and (iv) the marketability and scalability of your business. During this session we will explore each of these topics and review:
Maximizing the value of your businesses and paving the way for the next step whether that is an exit or a growth strategy
Two key pieces of advice for business owners are; ‘start with the end in mind’ (failing to plan for your transition out of your business can result in a messy succession process and lost value) and ‘the best time start growing your company was yesterday!’. Every entrepreneur has dreams and ideas to expand their business, but the big question is knowing the right time to jump… where and how high? This session will explore what acquirers will be looking for in terms of feeling confident that they are buying a stable and profitable business that has proven future value.
This session will explore:
Are alternative financing options for growth, minority investors or MBO/ MBIs right for you?
The pandemic has prompted a surge in non-traditional M&A deal structures, accelerated deals and rapid changes in business needs and opportunities. After this rollercoaster ride – perhaps you want to re-risk your business, while still maintaining control?
There are a number of transition options that aren’t reliant on a large amount of cash, and can take a variety of different forms, such as a management buyout or buy-in (MBO/MBI), acquiring minority stakes or entering cooperative arrangements through joint ventures, alliances, or partnerships as a success strategy.
This session will cover topics such as:
Implementing an outbound M&A strategy at your company is a high-value, high stakes game. How can you establish your M&A Mindset? The M&A process is intensive, with many steps – it can often take many months to identify acquisition targets, initiate and close transactions – all while you’re still operating your business. Learn how to operate and run your business while embedding processes that will improve M&A outcomes.
Whether you want to sell some or all of your business, or simply step away from day-to-day business activities – you should be asking if your company can run by itself or it’s time to step aside to hire a CEO to replace yourself.
Why would you want to do this? Understanding your strengths (and weaknesses) is the key to the success of your business. This session will help you better understand the steps to ensuring your team and business can run by itself, and if it’s time to consider stepping out of the way of a new CEO to position your business for greater growth, a longer legacy and/or a more successful transition.
Pro-tip: A business that can run by itself is usually more appealing to acquirers.
This session will help you better understand:
Hear how Kleo Landucci, at CrescentView Investments Ltd., took an unconventional but highly successful approach to finding strategic partners and leading her family business organization through two transitions/transactions.
Ongoing struggles with supply chain issues, staffing shortages, inflationary pressures and other challenges offer a great opportunity to think differently about how we run, grow, and transition our businesses. Organizations are being forced to be agile and many are assessing the fundamental ‘who, what, where and why’ questions for their businesses. It’s time to think big for where your business could drive the most value, and if traditional routes won’t take you there, be brave enough to break biases in terms of how business is traditionally driven. This “case study” fireside Chat will help you think about your business differently going forward.
Common due diligence red flags when buying or selling a business
Mergers and acquisitions typically have extensive due diligence by the buyer. Tackling due diligence during an M&A transaction can be an overwhelming task, but essential for closing a successful, equitable and efficient deal. Before committing to the transaction, the acquirer will want to ensure that it knows what it is buying and what obligations it is assuming, litigation risks and intellectual property issues, liabilities, problematic contracts, and more.
Understand what buyers will be looking for, and what sellers need to have prepared for the due diligence process and the key information a company must uncover from their target before moving forward with a deal:
Knowing if you can afford to sell, and when you are ready to take the leap is the most difficult decision for many business owners. In addition to building a comprehensive succession plan and ensuring your organizational structure will not leave you with a giant tax bill, it is important to address the other factors to ensure a happy and prosperous life after the close. Have you considered what life looks like after the close? The ability to shift from an entrepreneurial mindset to a capital management position requires planning and the right preparation and time to implement appropriate strategies. There are a number of opportunities to maximize the money in your pocket and ensure your financial success long after the close.
This session will look at real-world examples:
Buyers and sellers sit on the opposite side of the same coin but with the same goal of ‘getting the deal done’. Skillful negotiation of best deals and terms is an essential component of any deal process – it’s not just about the money.
Learn key negotiating tactics and techniques that can help any buyer or seller work towards success when trying to close a business investment, growth capital, or M&A transaction. This panel will also discuss and elaborate on best practices, industry myths and misconceptions, and alternatives for consideration in designing a process to structure your transaction for a fair price.
Through an interactive discussion you’ll learn:
How an acquirer will determine the value of your company
Most business owners don’t get nearly what they should because they weren’t prepared, and this can gravely affect the value of your company. As a business owner, it’s imperative to focus on the specific areas of your business that drive value, even if you have no immediate intention of selling. Furthermore, a successful sale for your shareholders can be very different from what you, the business owner, defines as a success. From the get-go you should understand the levers you need to “push or pull” in order to optimize the results you are looking for.
This session will explore key value drivers that require immediate attention in order to maximize the salability of your business.
Hear from a panel of business owners who have gone through transition with their business and now have the opportunity to share their tales from the trenches. Hear what advice they would give fellow entrepreneurs and what they would change, if anything, if they were to do it all again.
Panel discussions include insights on:
