M&A Support Services

Eton helps companies with revenues between $5M and $150M maximize M&A deal values and minimize risks.

Our Big-4 trained experts ensure fair valuations and smooth transactions at every step of your M&A journey. 

Trusted By Over 1,000 Companies

Why Choose Eton as your M&A Support?

Mergers and acquisitions are complex, and you need expert guidance, quick action, and deep industry knowledge to maximize your success. 

At Eton, we help companies with revenues between $5M and $150M navigate these deals confidently.

Our dedicated team of legal and finance talent, specializing in business valuation, delves into your company’s financial data with precision and care.

We ensure that every valuation report we produce is not only accurate but also presented in a format that is clear and easy to understand. This approach is crucial in helping you achieve the best possible outcome from your M&A transaction.

Being a boutique firm, we take pride in providing individual attention to our clients. Every client is paired with a senior M&A advisor, and I, the CEO, will be your main contact throughout your journey with us.

Unparalleled Expertise

Eton is founded in 2010 by top security lawyers and our team consists of Big-4 trained legal and finance experts. We provide timely, accurate, and well-documented M&A advisory and valuations that comply with the highest industry standards.

Tailored and Individual Advice

Navigating buy-side and sell-side transactions can be overwhelming, but we're here to help. Our M&A support team will guide you through every step, answering your questions and creating a plan that works for your business.

Proven Track Record

Eton’s experts understand the complexity of M&A, and have a proven track record in helping clients gain confidence through superior valuation and advisory services.

Post-Transaction Support

Eton's commitment to your success doesn't end with the deal closure. We offer comprehensive post-transaction support to ensure smooth integration and maximize the benefits of your acquisition or sale.

"As a former Gunderson lawyer, I co-founded Eton to bring the rigor and efficiency of corporate securities law to M&A valuation support and advisory services. I take immense pride in our global team of Big 4-trained CFAs, who are not just experts in their field but also staunch adherents to our ethos of unparalleled client service.

Our singular mission is to provide audit-proof, robust, and prompt valuation support, tailored to the complexities of M&A transactions, while eliminating the tedious back-and-forth often encountered with other firms. At Eton, client service isn't just a practice; it's our creed. We are committed to consistently going beyond the norm to deliver exceptional value to every client in their M&A endeavors."

Chris Walton, JD
President & CEO
Eton Venture Services
Previously at Gunderson Dettmer / Stanford Law

Our Full Range of M&A Support Services

Pre-Deal M&A Valuation Analysis

Assess target companies, divisions, or assets to help determine appropriate bidding prices, negotiation strategies, and optimal structures while identifying potential risks and synergies.

Quality of Earnings Analysis

Evaluate the sustainability and quality of a target company's earnings, providing insights into its financial health and potential for future growth.

Purchase Price Allocation (PPA)

Perform fair value assessments of tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination, ensuring compliance with financial reporting standards.

Goodwill Impairment Testing:

Assist clients in conducting annual goodwill impairment tests to determine if any write-downs are required, adhering to relevant accounting standards.

Intellectual Property and Intangible Asset Valuation

Appraise intellectual property assets, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, licenses, and customer lists, which are critical components of many M&A transactions.

Transaction Opinions

Provide independent fairness opinions to boards of directors, ensuring that proposed transactions are fair to shareholders from a financial perspective.

M&A Deal Advisory

Offer guidance and support throughout the M&A process, from due diligence and deal negotiation to closing and post-transaction integration, addressing both financial and strategic aspects.

Litigation Support

Provide expert valuation and financial analysis services for M&A-related litigation, including purchase price disputes, earnout disputes, and breach of contract claims.

Hear From Our Clients

Our Senior Leadership

Chris Walton, JD

President & CEO

Chris co-founded Eton Venture Services in 2010 to provide mission-critical valuations to venture-based companies. He works closely with each client’s leadership team, board of directors, internal / external counsel, and independent auditor to develop detailed financial models and create accurate, audit-proof valuations.

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FAQs

What does the M&A transaction support process look like?

The M&A process generally looks like this:

  • Planning: We start by understanding your goals and objectives, identifying potential targets or buyers, and developing a strategic plan for the transaction.
  • Valuation: We determine the value of your business or the target company using various valuation methods to ensure you get the best deal.
  • Negotiation: We’ll work together to negotiate terms, price, and other critical aspects of the deal to ensure your interests are protected.
  • Due Diligence: This stage involves a thorough investigation of the target company’s financials, operations, legal matters, and other important areas to identify any potential risks.
  • Integration: After the deal closes, I’ll assist you with integrating the businesses, ensuring a smooth transition and helping you achieve the desired synergies.

Our M&A advisors will guide you through each step, ensuring you understand what’s happening and making informed decisions along the way.

Valuation is a crucial aspect of the M&A process as it determines the fair price of the target company and helps in assessing the synergies and potential risks associated with the transaction.

M&A valuation takes into account various factors such as:

  1. Financial Performance: The financial performance of the target company, including revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow, is analyzed to determine its value.
  2. Market Position: The market position of the target company, including its market share, competitive advantage, and brand value, is considered while valuing the company.
  3. Industry Outlook: The future prospects and growth potential of the industry in which the target company operates are evaluated to determine the value.
  4. Asset Valuation: The value of tangible and intangible assets, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks, and real estate, is assessed during the valuation process.

 

For a more in-depth explanation, check out our mergers and acquisitions guide.

We utilize industry-leading methodologies and deep market insights to conduct thorough valuations.

Our experienced team ensures that all relevant factors are considered, providing you with a fair and accurate valuation that reflects the true value of your business or target acquisition.

We typically employ these valuation methods:

  1. Comparable Company Analysis: This approach values a company by comparing it to similar publicly traded companies. It focuses on market multiples, such as the price-to-earnings ratio, to derive an appropriate M&A valuation.
  2. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis: The DCF method estimates a company’s value based on its projected future cash flows. These cash flows are then discounted to their present value using a suitable discount rate, reflecting the time value of money and investment risks.
  3. Asset-Based Valuation: This method assesses a company’s worth by calculating the fair market value of its assets and subtracting liabilities. It’s particularly relevant for companies with significant physical assets.

 

For a full breakdown of these methods and more, please check out our guide:

A Comprehensive Guide to 6 M&A Valuation Methods

The cost of an M&A advisor varies based on deal size, complexity, and the advisor’s expertise. 

Typically, fees include a monthly retainer (starting from $5,000 a month) and a success fee, which can range from 1% to 10% of the deal value. 

We’ve written a comprehensive guide on M&A advisory fees, including detailed breakdowns and what to expect. Check it out for more details.

Working with Eton means you get the individualized attention that Big-4 firms can’t provide.

We pride ourselves on offering personalized service, ensuring that your specific needs are met with care and precision.

At Eton, you’ll have direct access to our CEO, who will personally oversee your project, providing expert guidance and support throughout the entire process.

This level of dedicated attention and direct communication sets us apart from larger firms.

When you’re ready, get in touch with us here!

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