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The RightExit. At the Right Time.

Acquisitions, acqui-hires, asset purchases, and exit strategies. Due diligence, deal negotiation, and closing for tech companies.

DEAL TIMELINE

The M&A Process

1

LOI Negotiation

Non-binding term sheet covering price, structure, exclusivity, and timeline. Sets the framework for the entire deal.

2

Due Diligence

Buyer examines financials, contracts, IP, employment, litigation. Data room preparation and response management.

3

Definitive Docs

Purchase agreement, disclosure schedules, ancillary documents. Reps, warranties, indemnification, escrow terms.

4

Closing

Signatures, wire transfers, stock transfers, closing certificates. Transition to integration phase.

DEAL STRUCTURES

Transaction Types Compared

Stock Acquisition

Full Company Sale
  • Buyer acquires all shares
  • All assets transfer automatically
  • All liabilities assumed by buyer
  • Contracts remain in place
  • Simpler for seller (one transaction)
  • Capital gains treatment possible

Asset Purchase

Selected Assets
  • Buyer selects specific assets
  • IP, equipment, contracts cherry-picked
  • Historical liabilities stay with seller
  • Contracts require assignment consent
  • More complex documentation
  • Tax basis step-up for buyer

Acqui-hire

Team Acquisition
  • Focus on acquiring the team
  • Minimal purchase price
  • Retention packages for employees
  • IP assignment or license
  • Company wound down post-deal
  • Often faster process
WHAT TURLEY LAW HANDLES

M&A Services

Stock Acquisitions

Full company sales, stock purchase agreements, reps and warranties that protect sellers post-closing.

Asset Purchases

Buying or selling specific assets, IP transfers, contract assignments, assumption of selected liabilities.

Acqui-hires

Team acquisitions, retention packages, IP carve-outs, and wind-down mechanics.

Due Diligence

Sell-side prep, data room organization, buyer request responses. Buy-side review and risk assessment.

LOIs & Term Sheets

Non-binding term negotiation, exclusivity provisions, break-up fees, deal framework.

Earnouts & Escrows

Contingent consideration, milestone definitions, escrow terms, payment protection.

Preparing for Sale: Start 6-12 Months Early

The best exits result from preparation, not luck. Corporate housekeeping: Clean cap table with proper documentation, organized corporate records, resolved disputes. Contract audit: Assignment provisions reviewed, change-of-control triggers identified, IP ownership confirmed. Financial readiness: Audit-ready accounting, understood revenue quality. Well-prepared sellers close faster and often achieve better prices—buyers pay premiums for clean deals.

KEY TERMS

M&A Terms That Matter

1

Purchase Price Mechanics

Working capital adjustments can swing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Earnouts create contingent payments based on post-closing performance. Escrow/holdback (typically 10-15% for 12-18 months) satisfies potential indemnification claims.
2

Reps & Warranties

Seller statements about the company—accuracy of financials, IP ownership, material contracts, employee classification, tax matters. Breaches trigger indemnification. Scope and knowledge qualifiers matter enormously.
3

Indemnification

Seller's obligation to compensate buyer for certain losses. Caps, baskets, and carve-outs define exposure. Survival periods determine how long reps remain enforceable (general: 12-18 months; fundamental: longer).
4

Seller Protections

Materiality scrape affects indemnification calculations. Cap on liability limits maximum exposure (often tied to escrow). Basket/deductible creates threshold before indemnification kicks in.

M&A FAQ

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First-Time Seller? Let's Talk.

An exit is a once-in-a-career event. Expert guidance through the process, better negotiated terms, and avoidance of common first-time seller mistakes.