Mowery & Schoenfeld helps aspiring entrepreneurs with limited capital resources search for and acquire a company they can manage and grow, providing them a path for owning and building a business. Along with raising capital, we’ll also help you build relationships with investors, ensuring clear communication of each party’s goals and establishing a strong foundation for long-term success. With over 500 middle-market transactions, our expertise can help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of structuring the fund, attracting investors, and preparing for the rigorous search ahead.
Search Funds
Accounting Services for Search Funds
Business acquisition and search fund advisory services for entrepreneurs
Why should I work with Mowery & Schoenfeld during the search fund process?
At Mowery & Schoenfeld, we partner with you to navigate the complex and often high-risk situations inherent in the search fund process—from the formation of the fund to its operating phase and beyond. Central to our Firm are the ongoing accounting and advisory relationships we build with search funds seeking investments of all sizes, as well as closely-held businesses similar to the typical investment.
The search, acquisition, and management of a company require a great deal of physical and emotional energy, as well as the ability to handle high levels of uncertainty, change, and stress. For those who can deal with the challenges, the result can be professionally and financially rewarding. We are here to act as your partner through the search phase.
Helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the search fund process every step of the way
Raising Search Capital. Entrepreneurs raise capital by selling units, or shares, in the fund to investors. This capital is used to support salary, administration, and travel and deal-related expenses.
Identifying and Acquiring a Company. After determining a potential target company, we help the entrepreneur evaluate factors such as the industry, current economic conditions and the owner’s willingness to sell. If the decision is made to purchase the company, the entrepreneur structures and negotiates the deal, performs due diligence, secures financing and plans the transition itself.
Operating and Creating Value. During the third stage, new owners immerse themselves in their business, after which they focus on managing and growing the company. Value creation results from operational improvements, increased marketing and sales, and/or expansion into new markets.
Exiting the Fund. The average length of time for holding a search fund is seven years. At the end, the principals and investors evaluate exit strategies so they can gain liquidity and realize returns. Liquidity occurs through dividend distributions, an equity recapitalization, an initial public offering or a sale.
We offer search fund expertise in:
- Quality of earnings due diligence
- Tax return preparation, planning, projections and advisory services
- Individual tax services to stakeholders
- Transaction structuring and planning
- Due diligence
- Attestation