Private Equity - knowing your next move

Using Private Equity (PE) should be a positive experience, especially for those doing it for the first time. That’s why BDO have created a four-part program to support businesses looking to make the most out of Private Equity.

For businesses wanting to access capital there is often reluctance to unlock funding through private markets, particularly through Private Equity - with many business leaders citing the process as overly complex and often holding misconceptions or limited understanding of how Private Equity works.

Understanding the Private Equity universe and what the process entails opens opportunities for businesses to expand at speed and step up a gear. In our experience, while Private Equity carries intricate legal, financial, tax, and behavioural considerations, these are part of a known process that can be managed with expert help.

There is vast, untapped potential in private markets in Australia, despite the Pandemic, for capital-backed ventures - whether seed venture, corporate venture or PE, Australia is a leading country. In fact, the Australian Investment Council reports that there are $33 Billion worth of assets under management by PE and Venture Capital funds in Australia, and estimate that there is $13 Billion of ‘dry powder’ available in Private Equity and Venture Capital. There are many Private Equity funds waiting to deploy their unused capital, for the right business.

At BDO, we bridge the gap between Private Equity houses and businesses by assisting with negotiations through to deal completion. Our knowledge and experience extends far beyond the financial aspects to include operational and strategic support.

With this in mind, we have created a four-part educational series: Private Equity - knowing your next move - a practical guide to help you understand the PE process to realise your business objectives. In this series, we help you:

• Demystify;
• Navigate;
• Accelerate, and;
• Realise the Private Equity Journey.

Demystify

Private Equity is the term used to describe a collective industry of specialised Fund Managers that invest in acquiring equity stakes in potentially high-growth businesses, both control and non-control positions. The ultimate goal of Private Equity is to drive transformational growth during a relatively short period, resulting in significant returns.

In this guide, we outline what Private Equity is, how it works, and key considerations to assess if Private Equity is the right investment channel for you. We outline the four drivers of value:

1. Revenue Growth
2. Margin
3. Cash Conversion
4. Risk Quotient.

We also discuss one of the critical components to the success of a deal, and questions you should be asking to ensure you find the right investment house.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE: DEMYSTIFY

Navigate

‘Navigate’ offers a roadmap for complex and time intensive investment.

In this guide we break-down the Private Equity universe - the types of investors and their investment style. From there, we plot the four phases of the investment process, their goals, how to prepare to optimise future value and how BDO can help at each phase. This includes:

Phase 1: Exit readiness - preparing to optimise future value

Phase 2: Preparation - Focusing on value drivers and ensuring quality of information

Phase 3: Marketing - Launching the sale process, marketing the business and securing offers

Phase 4: Deal completion - Final offers and deal completion

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE: NAVIGATE

Accelerate

Private Equity always brings change to a business. The ‘Accelerate’  phase represents the chapter of Private Equity ownership where businesses are challenged to achieve value growth. Businesses and management teams will be tasked with achieving a, sometimes, completely different level of sophistication and professionalism to meet investors’ expectations. In this guide, we define the four pillars of a strong aligned relationship:

1. Purpose of intent
2. Execution
3. Communication
4. Trust.

We outline the key areas of the acceleration phase where BDO can assist, outlining over 30 questions to ask yourself so you can assess where you may need extra support in the areas of performance and growth, funding and financial management, governance and leadership, strategy and risk, management and financial reporting.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE: ACCELERATE

Realise

The capital event that marks the end of Private Equity investment should be executed in a planned, well thought-out and precise way to maximise value and minimise risk - typically beginning from day one.

In 'Realise', the fourth guide, we discuss planning an exit, the likely triggers and your exit options. We also detail managing the deal process at this stage, with a high-level view of matters you should be considering at each stage - from transaction readiness to post transaction.

Identifying the right buyer helps determine exit options. We look at the factors to be considered when identifying buyers and what aspects a potential buyer will be looking for.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE: REALISE

While Private Equity can seem daunting, it offers an exciting and unique opportunity to super-charge growth. It achieves outperformance by accelerating value, enhancing cash conversion and reducing risk; and culminates in a profitable exit usually within three to five years.

If you’re an entrepreneurial business owner and would like more information on Private Equity, please contact us to speak to a Private Equity specialist.