Question 1

What is Business Wanted

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What is acquisition intent

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

What problem does Business Wanted solve in SME M&A

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Who is Business Wanted designed for

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How Business Wanted fits into acquisition planning

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Is Business Wanted an off market acquisition platform

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What does off market mean in business acquisitions

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How buyers access off market opportunities

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Can sellers assess demand without going to market

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How off market buyer demand is generated

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Who can register acquisition intent

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

What types of buyers use Business Wanted

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

How buyers are verified and qualified

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

What information buyers must provide

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How Business Wanted filters speculative buyers

Accepted Answer

Speculative buyers are filtered through qualification thresholds.

Buyers must demonstrate readiness and clarity of intent.

This protects sellers from timewasting enquiries.

Question 16

What is Business Wanted Access

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

How business owners see live acquisition demand

Accepted Answer

Owners receive structured summaries of relevant buyer intent.

Identities are withheld at this stage.

The focus is on demand patterns rather than approaches.

Question 18

What information sellers receive about buyers

Accepted Answer

Sellers see buyer type, strategy, and level of intent.

Sensitive identifying details are excluded initially.

This allows informed decision making.

Question 19

Can Business Wanted be used for market testing only

Accepted Answer

Yes, many owners use Business Wanted purely for market intelligence.

It is commonly used as part of exit planning.

No transaction is required

Question 20

Does accessing demand mean selling my business

Question 21

How confidentiality is protected

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is maintained through anonymisation and staged disclosure.

Neither party is identified without consent.

This applies to both buyers and sellers.

Question 22

Are buyers or sellers publicly listed

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 23

When identities are disclosed

Accepted Answer

Identities are disclosed only when both parties agree to an introduction.

This usually follows initial alignment.

No automatic disclosure occurs.

Question 24

Who controls the process at each stage

Accepted Answer

Each party retains control at all times.

Participation is voluntary and reversible.

Business Wanted does not force progression.

Question 25

Can either party walk away

Accepted Answer

Yes, either party can disengage at any point.

There is no obligation to proceed.

This ensures balanced engagement.

Question 26

How Business Wanted matches buyers and sellers

Accepted Answer

Matching is based on declared intent and seller profile alignment.

There is no open browsing or bidding process.

Matches are deliberate and controlled.

Question 27

When an introduction is made

Accepted Answer

An introduction is made only when both sides agree.

This typically follows review of anonymised information.

Introductions are not automatic.

Question 28

What happens after an introduction

Accepted Answer

After introduction, parties engage directly or via advisers.

Business Wanted steps back from negotiations.

The transaction process proceeds independently.

Question 29

Does Business Wanted negotiate the deal

Accepted Answer

No, Business Wanted does not negotiate.

It is an origination and access platform.

Deal execution is handled by advisers.

Question 30

Who manages due diligence and completion

Accepted Answer

Due diligence and completion are managed by professional advisers.

This may include brokers, accountants, and solicitors.

Business Wanted is not involved in execution.

Question 31

How Business Wanted makes money

Accepted Answer

Business Wanted is funded through introduction and success fees.

The model aligns with completed outcomes rather than listings.

Exact terms depend on engagement route.

Question 32

Do buyers pay fees

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 33

Do sellers pay fees

Accepted Answer

Sellers typically do not pay to access demand data.

Introduction fees will apply if a transaction completes.

Details are confirmed before introduction.

Question 34

When a success fee is payable

Accepted Answer

A success fee is payable only on completion of a transaction.

There are no automatic charges for intelligence access.

Terms are agreed in advance.

Question 35

Are there any upfront or retainer fees for sellers

Question 36

Does Business Wanted replace a business broker

Accepted Answer

No, Business Wanted does not replace brokers.

It operates before or alongside a sale process.

Execution remains adviser led.

Question 37

Can sellers appoint their own adviser

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 38

What happens if I later go to market

Accepted Answer

If a formal sale is launched, Business Wanted steps aside or supports introductions only.

The process becomes adviser led.

There is no conflict.

Question 39

Can Business Wanted work alongside advisers

Accepted Answer

Yes, many advisers use Business Wanted as a demand source.

It complements traditional processes.

It does not compete with execution.

Question 40

Is Business Wanted suitable for bolt on acquisitions

Accepted Answer

Yes, bolt on acquisitions are a primary use case.

Trade buyers frequently use the platform.

Intent is captured at scale.

Question 41

Does BusinessWanted.com support growth and consolidation strategies

Accepted Answer

Yes, consolidation and roll up strategies are supported.

Multiple intent profiles can be registered.

This allows broad coverage.

Question 42

Can buyers register interest across multiple sectors

Accepted Answer

Yes, buyers may register multiple sector interests.

Each intent is assessed independently.

This maintains relevance.

Question 43

Is BusinessWanted.com suitable for succession or retirement planning

Accepted Answer

Yes, sellers often use it for early succession planning.

It provides insight without pressure.

Timing remains flexible.

Question 44

Does Business Wanted support partial exits

Accepted Answer

Yes, partial exits and minority investments are supported.

Intent can reflect these structures.

This increases flexibility.

Question 45

Who is behind Business Wanted

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 46

Is Business Wanted regulated

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 47

How Business Wanted differs from broker marketplaces

Accepted Answer

Business Wanted captures acquirer  intent rather than 'business for sale' listings.

There is no public marketing or bidding.

This fundamentally changes behaviour.

Question 48

Why acquisition intent improves deal certainty

Accepted Answer

Intent driven matching reduces speculative engagement.

Parties engage with clearer expectations.

This improves outcomes and deal completions.

Question 49

Is Business Wanted suitable for proven acquirers only

Accepted Answer

Yes, the platform is deliberately selective.

This protects credibility.

It is designed for those experienced and prepared to act.

Question 50

How buyers register acquisition intent

Accepted Answer

Buyers complete a structured intent registration.

This includes strategy, scale, and focus.

Qualification follows.

Question 51

How sellers access acquisition demand

Accepted Answer

Sellers request access to relevant buyer demand.

Information is provided confidentially.

No listing is created.

Question 52

What is the first step to using Business Wanted

Accepted Answer

The first step is deciding whether you want intelligence or action.

Business Wanted supports both.

No commitment is required at the outset.

Call: 0330 133 2022
Email: info@BusinessWanted.com

Turning serious acquisition intent
into opportunity

Clear answers for serious business acquirers

Turning serious acquisition intent into opportunity

Clear answers for serious business acquirers

Turning serious acquisition intent
into opportunity