Turning serious acquisition intent
into opportunity

Business Wanted is a platform that captures and qualifies live acquisition intent from serious business buyers. It exists to make buyer demand visible before a business is formally taken to market, without listings, public marketing, or forced sale processes. The platform provides structured market intelligence rather than acting as a traditional business broker or marketplace.

Acquisition intent is a formal declaration by a buyer that they are actively seeking to acquire a business of a defined type. Unlike casual interest, acquisition intent is registered, structured, and qualified based on strategy, scale, sector, and geography. This distinction allows sellers to assess real demand rather than speculative enquiry.

Business Wanted solves the lack of visibility around real buyer demand in the SME market. Most business owners only discover buyer appetite once they publicly market their business, which can be disruptive and irreversible. Business Wanted allows demand to be assessed privately and earlier.

Business Wanted is designed for serious acquirers and informed business owners. It is used by trade buyers, private equity, family offices, and owner managed businesses pursuing acquisition led growth. It is not designed for casual buyers or speculative sellers.

Business Wanted sits at the intelligence stage of acquisition planning. It helps buyers register intent and helps owners understand market appetite before engaging advisers or launching a sale. It can support both immediate acquisition activity and longer term strategic planning.

Yes, Business Wanted operates entirely off market. There are no public listings and no advertised businesses for sale. All activity is based on private buyer intent and controlled access.

Off market means transactions are explored without public advertising. Discussions take place privately, usually before a seller commits to a formal sale process. This reduces disruption and preserves confidentiality.

Buyers access opportunities by registering acquisition intent. Potential matches are identified based on demand patterns rather than listings. Introductions are only made where alignment exists.

Yes, sellers can access anonymised acquisition demand without selling. They see the level and type of interest that exists for a business like theirs. No commitment to transact is required.

Buyer demand is generated through direct origination and qualification. Buyers must actively declare intent rather than passively browse opportunities. This ensures demand reflects real acquisition activity.

Only buyers with a credible acquisition strategy can register. This includes trade buyers, private equity, family offices, and established owner managed businesses. Speculative or unfunded parties are filtered out.

Business Wanted is used primarily by strategic acquirers. These include corporates seeking bolt on growth and investors pursuing platform acquisitions. Individual hobby buyers are not the target audience.

Buyers are qualified through structured data capture and review. This includes acquisition rationale, financial capacity, and decision authority. The aim is to ensure declared intent is genuine.

Buyers must provide information about strategy, scale, sector focus, and geography. This allows accurate matching and prevents misaligned introductions. Incomplete or vague submissions are rejected.

Speculative buyers are filtered through qualification thresholds. Buyers must demonstrate readiness and clarity of intent. This protects sellers from timewasting enquiries.

Business Wanted Access allows sellers to view live acquisition demand. It provides insight into who is looking for businesses like theirs. Access does not constitute a sale process.

Owners receive structured summaries of relevant buyer intent. Identities are withheld at this stage. The focus is on demand patterns rather than approaches.

Sellers see buyer type, strategy, and level of intent. Sensitive identifying details are excluded initially. This allows informed decision making.

Yes, many owners use Business Wanted purely for market intelligence. It is commonly used as part of exit planning. No transaction is required

No, accessing demand does not place a business for sale. It simply provides visibility of interest. Control remains with the owner.

Confidentiality is maintained through anonymisation and staged disclosure. Neither party is identified without consent. This applies to both buyers and sellers.

No, buyers and sellers are not publicly listed as named parties. Business Wanted displays confidential summary information online that reflects live acquisition intent and seller demand without revealing identities. This information is anonymised and designed to indicate market appetite rather than promote specific businesses or buyers. Names, company details, and identifying information are only disclosed privately and only when both parties agree to a formal introduction.

Identities are disclosed only when both parties agree to an introduction. This usually follows initial alignment. No automatic disclosure occurs.

Each party retains control at all times. Participation is voluntary and reversible. Business Wanted does not force progression.

Yes, either party can disengage at any point. There is no obligation to proceed. This ensures balanced engagement.

Matching is based on declared intent and seller profile alignment. There is no open browsing or bidding process. Matches are deliberate and controlled.

An introduction is made only when both sides agree. This typically follows review of anonymised information. Introductions are not automatic.

After introduction, parties engage directly or via advisers. Business Wanted steps back from negotiations. The transaction process proceeds independently.

No, Business Wanted does not negotiate. It is an origination and access platform. Deal execution is handled by advisers.

Due diligence and completion are managed by professional advisers. This may include brokers, accountants, and solicitors. Business Wanted is not involved in execution.

Business Wanted is funded through introduction and success fees. The model aligns with completed outcomes rather than listings. Exact terms depend on engagement route.

No, buyers do not pay success fees or introduction fees. Registering a standard business wanted requirement is currently free and allows buyers to declare acquisition intent and be matched where appropriate. There are no charges linked to introductions or completed transactions. Over time, premium subscription options will be introduced for acquirers seeking enhanced visibility, priority matching, or additional data access, but core buyer participation will remain available without success based fees.

Sellers typically do not pay to access demand data. Introduction fees will apply if a transaction completes. Details are confirmed before introduction.

A success fee is payable only on completion of a transaction. There are no automatic charges for intelligence access. Terms are agreed in advance.

No, Business Wanted does not charge business sellers upfront or retainer fees for platform access. Where a transaction completes following a Business Wanted introduction, an introduction fee is payable by the seller. This fee reflects the successful origination of the buyer and is not charged unless a deal completes. The introduction fee is reduced where the seller engages a preferred Business Wanted adviser partner. All fees and terms are agreed in writing before any introduction is made.

No, Business Wanted does not replace brokers. It operates before or alongside a sale process. Execution remains adviser led.

In most cases, Business Wanted will recommend using one of its trusted preferred partners, as they are familiar with the platform, process, and expectations of off market transactions. This typically results in a smoother and more efficient outcome. Use of a preferred partner is not mandatory. Sellers may appoint an existing adviser or proceed independently, but Business Wanted reserves the right to agree the basis on which introductions and fees apply where third party advisers are used.

If a formal sale is launched, Business Wanted steps aside or supports introductions only. The process becomes adviser led. There is no conflict.

Yes, many advisers use Business Wanted as a demand source. It complements traditional processes. It does not compete with execution.

Yes, bolt on acquisitions are a primary use case. Trade buyers frequently use the platform. Intent is captured at scale.

Yes, consolidation and roll up strategies are supported. Multiple intent profiles can be registered. This allows broad coverage.

Yes, buyers may register multiple sector interests. Each intent is assessed independently. This maintains relevance.

Yes, sellers often use it for early succession planning. It provides insight without pressure. Timing remains flexible.

Yes, partial exits and minority investments are supported. Intent can reflect these structures. This increases flexibility.

Business Wanted is operated by experienced UK M&A professionals. The platform is built on real transaction experience. It is not a technology or market experiment.

Business Wanted is not a regulated financial service. It does not provide investment advice. It is always recommended that professional advisers be engaged for execution.

Business Wanted captures acquirer intent rather than 'business for sale' listings. There is no public marketing or bidding. This fundamentally changes behaviour.

Intent driven matching reduces speculative engagement. Parties engage with clearer expectations. This improves outcomes and deal completions.

Yes, the platform is deliberately selective. This protects credibility. It is designed for those experienced and prepared to act.

Buyers complete a structured intent registration. This includes strategy, scale, and focus. Qualification follows.

Sellers request access to relevant buyer demand. Information is provided confidentially. No listing is created.

The first step is deciding whether you want intelligence or action. Business Wanted supports both. No commitment is required at the outset.