Posts by Steven Denny

Truth #5: How AI Has Changed Due Diligence for $5–50M Businesses in 2026 AI now analyzes your financials, margins, contracts, and risks faster than human teams ever could. Weaknesses surface instantly. Strengths are easier to prove—if your data is clean. In 2026, information quality has become a competitive advantage in selling a $5–50M business.  Why…

Truth #4:  Why Deal Structure Matters More Than Price When Selling a $5–50M Business in 2026 The headline price isn’t your retirement plan. In 2025, most $5–50M business sales include earn-outs, rollover equity, seller notes, and working capital adjustments. These terms—not the multiple—determine what you actually take home and how much risk stays on your…

Truth #2: The Bar Has Risen for What Buyers Call a “Good” Company In the 2026 M&A environment, buyers define a “good” business very specifically. It’s not about size. It’s not even about industry. It comes down to risk, repeatability, and proof. What Buyers Consider a Good Company in 2026 A company is considered “good”…