Selling your business, run by principals who have done it
A confidential, principal-led sell-side process for South African mid-market owners — valuation, buyer identification, negotiation and completion, with UK and European buyers reachable through Caban Capital.
How selling a business actually works
Most owners conflate two very different routes. A business broker lists your company on a marketplace and waits for enquiries — fine for smaller, simpler businesses. A sell-side M&A advisor runs a discreet, competitive process designed to find the buyer who pays the most for strategic reasons, without your staff, customers or competitors knowing you are for sale. For mid-market businesses, the difference between the two routinely runs to millions in final price.
A Caban sell-side mandate follows a defined sequence:
- Sale-readiness review — an honest assessment of whether the business is ready to sell at a good value, and what to fix first. Rushing to market unprepared is the most common value-destroying mistake owners make.
- Valuation — a defensible number built from the numbers, not a rule-of-thumb revenue multiple, and the evidence to defend it in negotiation.
- Buyer identification — confidential mapping of domestic strategics, offshore trade buyers, private equity and family offices, qualified before any approach.
- Managed process — information memorandum, NDAs before any disclosure, a controlled competitive process, and offers assessed on terms and certainty, not just headline price.
- Negotiation, structure and completion — share sale versus asset sale, tax and CGT implications, earn-outs, warranties, and getting to a signed, funded close.
What your business is worth
The honest answer is a range, not a number, and it depends on far more than revenue: recurring versus project income, customer concentration, management depth beyond the owner, clean financials, and the strategic value to a specific buyer. A business worth 4x earnings to a financial buyer can be worth 7x to a strategic one who needs your market position. Establishing that range — and knowing which buyers pay the premium — is the first thing a sell-side advisor does. More on business valuation →
Selling to international buyers
The strongest exits often come from outside South Africa. Through Caban Capital in the UK, qualifying businesses reach UK, European and international buyers — with the cross-border structuring, exchange-control considerations and process run by the same team that assessed the business here. Reaching beyond the local buyer pool is frequently what produces both a better price and better terms. How the corridor works →
Why owners work with Caban
Caban is principal-led: the person who assesses your business is a seasoned operator who has built, run and exited businesses — not an analyst behind a portal. Since 2012 the firm has executed more than 200 corporate finance transactions including sell-side advisory, disposals and exit-related work, with deep African market knowledge and international reach. We hold named client transactions in strict confidence — discretion is the product.
Is your business ready to sell?
Sell-side mandates work best for established businesses with a genuine track record. If you are considering an exit in the next 12 to 24 months, the right first step is a confidential sale-readiness conversation — not a listing. Start below.
Questions, answered
How do I sell my business in South Africa?
Through a structured sell-side process: sale-readiness review, valuation, confidential buyer identification, a managed competitive process, negotiation and completion. A sell-side M&A advisor runs this discreetly to find the highest-value buyer — distinct from a broker who lists your business on a marketplace.
What is my business worth?
It is a range, not a single number, driven by earnings quality, recurring revenue, customer concentration, management depth and strategic value to a specific buyer. A business worth 4x earnings to a financial buyer can fetch 7x from a strategic one. Establishing that range is the first step of a sell-side mandate.
What is the difference between a business broker and an M&A advisor?
A broker lists your business on a marketplace and waits for enquiries — suited to smaller, simpler sales. An M&A advisor runs a confidential, competitive process to find the buyer who pays a strategic premium, managing valuation, negotiation and structure. For mid-market businesses the price difference is usually material.
How long does it take to sell a business?
A well-run mid-market sell-side process typically takes six to twelve months from mandate to completion, depending on preparation, sector and buyer appetite. Sale-readiness work beforehand shortens the process and improves the outcome.
Can I sell my South African business to an international buyer?
Yes. Cross-border sales to UK, European and international trade buyers, private equity and family offices are common for strong businesses. Caban reaches international buyers through Caban Capital in the UK and manages the exchange-control and structuring considerations involved.
Will you keep my business sale confidential?
Yes — confidentiality is central to a sell-side mandate. Buyers sign NDAs before receiving sensitive information, and the process is run so that staff, customers and competitors do not learn the business is for sale. Caban does not disclose named client transactions.