Acquiring a company
Are you looking to take over a business or tackle a new entrepreneurial challenge? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an investor, or an executive planning a management buyout (MBO) or an Employee share scheme, B2 Transmission supports you through every phase of your company acquisition, both in Belgium and abroad.
Our approach is based on in-depth market analysis and targeted identification of the opportunities that are most relevant to you. We offer you the benefits of our industry-specific expertise and our network so that you can maximise your chances of success and secure your company acquisition.
Our services include:
You need to identify a target
- We listen to you
- Sector-specific market research (identifying and profiling potential sellers)
- Targeting and identifying acquisition opportunities
- Strategic analysis and Valuation of target companies
- Discreet initial contact
- Due Diligence and Acquisition audit
- Valuation
- Structuring the acquisition
- Research and development of financing
- Negotiation and coordination of stakeholders
You know your target
- We listen to you
- Due Diligence and Acquisition audit
- Valuation
- Structuring the acquisition process
- Research and development of financing
- Negotiation and coordination of stakeholders
Our expertise and our network will help you secure and complete your company acquisition in the best possible circumstances.
For management buy-outs (MBOs) or the implementation of employee share schemes, we focus on Structuring and financing, without omitting the Acquisition audit to reassure all parties.
Acquiring a company: the different stages
B2 Transmission is a certified partner of the “ Chèques-entreprises” “ Transmission” programme.
We are recognised for our ability to advise and support businesses when they are buying a business.
What our clients
say
Testimonials





Key points:
Why buy a company?
Purchasing a business is a powerful strategy for accelerating growth and consolidating your market position. For companies looking to expand, it can save time, enhance your product offering, and create new synergies. In industries undergoing structural changes, mergers and acquisitions position you as a proactive industry player.
For entrepreneurs, buying a business helps avoid the uncertainties and challenges of starting from scratch. With an established market, customer base, and existing processes, you gain a more secure foundation. Additionally, purchasing a business allows you to access greater financial resources and manage a more mature, profitable business.
What if I don’t know of any businesses for sale?
If you have not identified a business for sale, a business broker can assist you. With their expertise, brokers can connect you with companies already on the market or identify potential acquisition targets within your desired sector. They can also approach these businesses discreetly, without revealing your identity or intentions.
You can also explore specialised platforms listing business sale opportunities. For example, in Wallonia, the Wallonie-Entreprendre platform (https://annuaire.wallonie-entreprendre.be/expertises/cession-acquisition/entreprises/) provides a selection of businesses for sale. Similarly, in Flanders, the Unizo platform (https://www.overnamemarkt.be/nl) offers a range of takeover opportunities.
What and how to buy
There are two scenarios: You either already know the business you want to purchase, or we can work together to find it.
If you have identified a target business, a thorough analysis is essential. This includes conducting an audit, Valuation, deciding on the acquisition method (shares, assets, etc.), and Structuring the deal from a financial, tax, and legal perspective. Negotiating and finalising contracts are crucial steps to closing the deal successfully.
If you have not yet pinpointed a business to buy, it’s important to reflect on your motivations, strengths, and any restrictions. This analysis helps us define which sectors and company sizes best align with your objectives. We can then present you with businesses available for sale or even approach companies not officially listed for sale.
What if I am not wealthy?
Buying a business does not always require a large personal contribution. Several financing options can make the process easier:
- The vendors themselves (Vendor Loan)
- The target company (financial assistance)
- Banks
- Private Equity or Venture Capital funds
- A local guarantee fund
- Wallonie-entreprendre, regional investment organisations
- SFPI
In most cases, financing is structured on a combination of several sources.
How can you minimise the risks?
There are several strategies to secure your acquisition:
- An in-depth analysis of the target business (Due Diligence) helps us assess every aspect of the company, including financial, operational, tax, social and environmental factors.
- The way in which the price is structured also plays a key role: a variable or “earn-out” price, for example.
- Demanding contractual clauses, including seller Guarantees and mechanisms to secure these Guarantees.
- Insurance
By combining these strategies, you can reduce uncertainty and ensure a well-controlled acquisition tailored to your goals.
How much does it cost to buy a business?
Support fees for purchasing a business can be structured in two ways:
- “Time-based” billing for the hours spent, with a potential maximum fee
- A fixed price for the entire support package
The cost varies based on factors like the complexity of the project, whether it includes actively searching for target companies, the size and sector of the target business, and the deal’s complexity. Each project is unique, so we carefully assess your needs to recommend the best pricing structure and optimise your acquisition budget.
Help available
There are several government subsidies that can reduce the financial burden:
- In Wallonia, business vouchers (“chèques entreprises”) (https://www.cheques-entreprises.be/cheques/diagnostic-cession-ou-reprise/) can cover up to 75% of the costs of the sale (up to a maximum of €20,000)
- In Brussels, business sale incentives (“primes cession-reprise”) (https://economie-emploi.brussels/prime-cession-reprise#:~:text=Quel%20taux%20d intervention%20%3F,per%20application%20%3A%201%20000%20%E2%82%AC.) can cover up to 60% of the costs of the sale (up to a maximum of €12,500).
Additionally, 1819 (or 1890), Wallonie Entreprendre, BECI, AKT-CCI and UCM have specialist departments that can help you make the right choices.