Mergers & acquisitions investment proposals are composed whenever an investment opportunity to fund multiple companies merging into a single or when a buyout or similar acquisition opportunity arises. Thus, this proposal must present both the investor’s benefits as well as the legal requirements or regulations that apply to the transaction.
Types Of Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Proposals (10)
- Acquisition Proposal – This type of proposal seeks investors to acquire a business, thus presenting costs and growth opportunities.
- Asset Purchase Proposal – Proposals seeking investor support to acquire specific assets (i.e., intellectual property), therefore discussing liabilities and acquisition benefits.
- Friendly Takeover Proposal – A proposal attracting investors for an agreed-upon acquisition and discussing, in detail, costs and ROI.
- Hostile Takeover Proposal – Proposals seeking investors to acquire a company under the protest of its management, explicitly explaining takeover terms.
- Joint Venture Proposal – A proposal sent whenever multiple entities join for a specific objective while detailing investments and rights.
- Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Proposal – Proposals discussing debt use and ROI, explicitly approaching investors for company buyouts using borrowed funds.
- Management Buyout (MBO) Proposal – This proposal seeks external investors to buy out ownership stakes while concentrating on transition planning and financing structure.
- Merger Proposal – A proposal seeking a merger between two or more companies into a single entity, thus detailing investment contributions and benefits.
- Stock Purchase Proposal – Proposals to purchase the controlling interest in a target entity, thus presenting price per share information.
- Strategic Alliance Proposal – A proposal approaching entities to share investment goals while remaining separate, presenting collaboration details.
1. Proposal Cover Page
Use a cover page to lay out the investment proposal’s formal title together with the parties involved. If preferred, this area may include a table of contents or an executive summary, depending on the information presented.
- Project Logo, Proposing Entity’s Logo
- Date, Potential Investor Information
- Aesthetically Minded Design
- Promotional Images, Text
- (Optional) Table Of Contents, Executive Summary
2. Executive Summary Of M&A Investment Proposal
Open the proposal with a synopsis of its content while providing enough incentive to continue. Tailor this area to appeal to the investor interests (i.e., financial performance, revenue growth).
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Strategic Partnership
- Investment Opportunity, Market Expansion, Global Reach
- Stakeholder Confidence, ROI (Return on Investment)
- Market Trends, Risk Mitigation, Regulatory Compliance
- Shareholder Value, Due Diligence, Industry Leadership
3. Introduction
Introduce the investor to the companies involved in this proposal while also providing context and presenting the rationale behind it.
- Background, Context, Proposal Objective
- Non-Disclosure, Contact Info, Investment Opportunity
- Market Expansion, Synergy, Competitive Advantage
- Financial Performance, Shareholder Value, Due Diligence
- Leadership, Revenue Growth, Operational Efficiency
4. Transaction Overview
Define the transaction the potential investors will be backing (such as a joint venture, merger, or acquisition). For example, lay out the synergies, deal structure, financial terms, target company, and (if applicable) integration plans.
- Deal Structure, Transaction Details, Strategic Investment
- Financial Terms, Target Company, Acquirer, Synergies
- Market Impact, Industry Focus, Competitive Landscape
- Shareholder Approval, Regulatory Approval, Timeline
- Due Diligence, Deal Value, Investment Opportunities
5. Strategic Rationale
Regardless of the type of merger or acquisition driving this proposal, its rationale must be explained. For example, discuss the potential synergy benefits, competitive advantages, and revenue growth the proposed transaction may bring.
- Strategic Rationale, Market Expansion, Synergy
- Competitive Advantages, Market Share Increase
- Customer Base Enhancement, Operational Efficiency
- Revenue Growth, Cost Savings, Vertical Integration
- Long-Term Sustainability, Talent Pool Enhancement
6. Financial Overview
Produce the key financial metrics, valuation, profitability, and, especially, the financial synergies for the merger and acquisition. In addition to such reports, include a discussion on the investment’s credit rating impact, risks, and other investor concerns.
- Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization (EBITDA)
- Profitability, (ROI), Financial Performance, Valuation
- Cash Flow Improvement, Debt Reduction, Relations
- Shareholder Value, Financial Synergies, Capital Structure
- Capital Management, Dividend Policy, Risk Mitigation
7. Due Diligence
Explicitly detail the research, assessments, and evaluation involved in the due diligence process. For example, discuss the investment risk analysis, cybersecurity evaluations, and regulatory compliance checks performed.
- Legal Compliance, Operational Efficiency, Alignment
- Investment Confidence, M&A Assessment
- Business Evaluation, Investment Risk, Partnership
- Key Findings, Due Diligence Timeline, Compliance Check
- Mitigation Strategy, Decision-Making, Human Resources
8. Valuation
Explicitly discuss the methods used to determine the valuation of the target company. Present the exact proposed purchase price or exchange ratio accordingly.
- Business Valuation, Financial Valuation, Fair Market Value
- Comparable Company Analysis (CCA)
- Earnings Multiples Price/Earnings (P/E) Multiples
- Net Asset Value (NAV), Enterprise Value (EV), Methodology
- Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Financial Metrics Evaluation
9. Deal Structure
Explain the proposed transaction structure in detail, especially financial information such as the purchase price and payment terms. Additionally, include other relevant topics such as the integration plan, financial performance, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Overview, Revenue Profitability, Valuation Methods
- Synergies, Market Expansion, Competitive Advantage
- Shareholders, Compliance, Financial Performance
- Risk Mitigation, Integration Plan, Industry Leadership
- Revenue Growth, Stakeholder Confidence, ROI
10. Regulatory And Legal Consideration
Discuss the current, as well as the potential, laws and regulatory environment of the relevant industry. Produce an all-inclusive discussion including topics such as antitrust and competition laws, international laws, or securities regulations.
- Competition Law, Securities Regulation
- Intellectual Property Rights, Labor Laws
- Contracts, Legal Disputes, Data Privacy, Tax Implications
- Notices, Filings, Regulatory Approval Timeline
- Confidentiality, Legal Counsel Engagement, Break-Up Fees
11. Integration Plan
Present how the companies will manage integrations as well as the integration team roster. Also, document the milestones of the integration process, phase dependencies, and risks.
- Integration Team, Communication Plan, Timeline
- Technology Integration, Customer Transition
- Financial Integration, Post-Integration
- Feedback Mechanisms, Post-Integration Monitoring
- Synergy Realizations, Risk Mitigation Strategies
12. Risk Factors
Enable an informed decision from the potential investor by explicitly discussing the risks. Deliver mitigation strategies in addition to identifying risks such as financial ones or those to successful technology integration.
- Market Perception, Operational Risks, Morale
- Litigation Risks, Social Rules, Employee Retention
- Partnership Relationship, Cybersecurity Risks
- Customer Retention, Financial, Supplier or Vendor Risks
- Intellectual Property Risks, Cultural Misalignment
13. Timeline
Describe the timeline of events for this transaction from beginning to end so every phase is understood. For instance, define when the due diligence and approval periods are and their dependencies.
- Pre-Offer Phase, Offer, Negotiation, Board Approval
- Letter Of Intent (LOI), Definitive Agreements
- Shareholder Approval, Financing Arrangements
- Integration Planning, Closing, Due Diligence Period
- Post-Closing Period, Monitoring And Adjustment Period
14. Governance And Management
Explain how the entity behind the M&A initiative is managed, as well as how the target company will be governed. Thus, discuss the legal structure and define key members such as the board of directors, management, and integration teams.
- Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team
- Reporting Lines, Structure, Decision-Making Processes
- Performance Metrics, Accountability, Risk Management
- Compliance Oversight, Stakeholder Engagement
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Commitments
15. Confidentiality And Exclusivity
Define the period when the proposal’s content remains exclusive to the reader, as well as the confidentiality measures in place. Emphatically state the need to protect the information in this proposal and the obligations placed on the reader.
- Confidentiality Agreement, Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Exclusive Negotiation Rights, Exclusivity Period
- Non-Solicitation Clause, Exclusivity Extension
- Return of Confidential Documents, Legal Remedies
- Governing Law, Dispute resolution in M&A
Gather the financial sheets, charts, and other unwieldy material, such as calendars, into an appendices section. Also, ensure this material is correctly cited throughout the proposal.
- Pro Formas, Synergy Realization Plans, Income Statement
- SWOT Analysis, Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- Regulatory filings, Approvals, Antitrust clearance
- Organizational Charts, Organizational Structure
- CSR Reports, Technology Infrastructure