July 26, 2026 · 1 min
How to prepare your SME sale in 18 months
Key steps to maximize your company's value and secure a successful sale.
Selling an SME is a long-term project. Beyond the numbers, it is a strategic initiative that mobilizes partners, teams, and advisors.
1. Prepare the business for sale
Before identifying a buyer, the business must be ready to be sold: reliable accounts, clear processes, formalized key contracts.
2. Identify the right buyer profile
Strategic, financial, foreign or domestic: each buyer profile has its own criteria and negotiation dynamics.
3. Run the process
A sale process takes 6 to 12 months on average and requires rigorous coordination between sellers, advisors, banks, and buyers.