STRATEGIC ADVIsory for BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
Growing through acquisitions, in a systematic way.
The Findings
A poorly planned acquisition. A poorly evaluated target. A haphazard integration. In most cases, what causes an acquisition-driven growth strategy to fail isn’t a lack of ambition—it’s a lack of preparation.
Conquering a new market, accelerating a growth trajectory that would take years to build through organic growth, and gaining access to technology, a customer base, or a team that would otherwise have to be built from scratch: a targeted acquisition is one of the most powerful drivers of growth—provided it is thoroughly prepared.
That’s what thinkGo offers: strategic consulting that places customer acquisition at the heart of your growth trajectory, from the initial assessment through to execution.
Our mission: to help your business grow through acquisitions, with consistency and impact
Growth through acquisitions can’t be improvised. A good opportunity that’s poorly prepared can cost more than a missed opportunity. Our role is to help you build an ambitious yet realistic external growth strategy—one that is grounded in your resources, culture, and objectives, and supported by rigorous analytical tools.
We provide services throughout the entire cycle:
- clarify your growth strategy and acquisition criteria;
- identify and evaluate targets, then conduct a business audit of the target companies;
- conduct market research to ensure a successful entry into a new sector or territory;
- develop the business plan and funding proposal;
- develop measurable action plans, including performance metrics and budgets for implementation;
- align your teams around shared goals.
For information on the transaction process itself—approaching targets, audits, negotiations, and closing—see our page on Business Acquisitions and Divestitures.
Who is it for?
Entrepreneurs and Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
The executive who wants to accelerate growth through acquisitions. Organic growth alone would take too long. He wants to assess whether one or more targeted acquisitions could save him years—by providing access to a market, technology, customer base, or team that he couldn’t build on his own as quickly.
The small business looking to take its business to the next level. It has worked well so far, but the company feels that its organic growth is reaching its limits. Acquiring a competitor, a supplier, or complementary expertise could be the right strategy—provided it is evaluated systematically.
A company looking to expand internationally. Entering French-speaking or German-speaking Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, or another European market requires thorough preparation—analyzing opportunities, adapting the offering, and often acquiring a local player that is already established rather than starting from scratch.
The executive preparing for a divestiture. Before entering into negotiations, he must accurately assess the value of his business. A thorough business audit and a credible business plan make all the difference when dealing with a buyer or investor.
Groups, investment funds, and family offices
The group that is developing an external growth strategy. The company wants to consolidate its position, expand its offerings, or enter a new market, and needs thorough industry analysis, a pipeline of qualified targets, and an outside perspective on how well each transaction aligns with its strategy.
The investment fund that is looking for acquisition targets or add-ons. Whether it involves a platform investment or complementary acquisitions for a portfolio company, he expects proprietary sourcing—particularly off-market—in a fragmented and discreet Swiss market, as well as commercial due diligence conducted from the perspective of an operator, not just an analyst.
The family office that invests directly in small and medium-sized businesses. He is looking for solid, long-term companies, often working directly with founder-CEOs. He needs a partner who can open these doors, evaluate opportunities, and put together a credible investment proposal.
Our Tools to Support Your Acquisition Strategy
Each analysis and document below is crafted from the perspective of an experienced M&A advisor—not as an academic exercise, but as a decision-making tool to support your acquisition or growth initiative.
MARKET RESEARCH
Entering a new market—or acquiring a company that is already established there—without first researching it is like sailing without a map.
Our market research combines analysis of industry trends, insight into target customers, competitive analysis, and the identification of acquisition targets or opportunities for external growth. It is designed to be immediately actionable—to inform a concrete acquisition decision, not to gather dust in a drawer.
BUSINESS PLAN
Structuring an acquisition, convincing an investor, preparing a fundraising campaign: a business plan is only valuable if it is credible.
With over 30 years of hands-on experience in business development and M&A, we create business plans that stand up to tough questions—the kind asked by bankers, acquirers, and experienced investors. A good business plan isn’t just read; it’s defended.
PROJECTED INCOME STATEMENT
A business plan is convincing because it is based on rigorous figures and sound assumptions.
We prepare a detailed projected income statement covering a 3- to 5-year period: revenue by segment, entity, or market; changes in margins; personnel and operating expenses; depreciation and amortization—including goodwill; interest expense; and income tax expense. Each assumption is documented and broken down into a conservative scenario and a target scenario. This forms the numerical foundation of your business plan and your financing proposal.
Why thinkGo?
These analyses and documents are not offered as a separate service from M&A consulting—they are a natural extension of it. We don’t produce reports that end up gathering dust in a drawer. We work with you to develop strategies you can implement, and we stay by your side throughout the execution process.
A buyer entering a new market needs thorough market research to safeguard their investment. An entrepreneur seeking to accelerate growth through acquisitions needs a credible business plan to attract the right financial partners.
At thinkGo, every deliverable is crafted with the perspective of an M&A advisor, both in Switzerland and internationally—which fundamentally changes its nature, quality, and the reliability of your external growth strategy.