Acquisition thesis
Specify strategic fit, product or market adjacency, ticket range, control requirements and integration capacity.
Investor and transaction services
Buy-side target search and acquisition screening
Translate the acquirer's sector, geography, size, ownership and operating criteria into a targeted search and a documented screening process.
A defined mandate
Build an acquisition shortlist around a written investment thesis.
Translate the acquirer's sector, geography, size, ownership and operating criteria into a targeted search and a documented screening process.
Start with the decision you need to make, your role and authority, target sectors and markets, ticket range, timing and the information available. The engagement scope should identify the work Matchpoint undertakes and any independently appointed specialist work.
Target universe and qualification
Record the rationale, source, ownership, financial evidence and key gaps for each candidate.
Approach and information protocol
Agree outreach authority, confidentiality, conflicts and the information that can be requested or shared.
Shortlist and diligence handover
Compare screened candidates and define the next diligence, valuation and approval gates.
Start with a scoped diagnostic
Acquisition-thesis workshop; target-search mandate; evidence-based shortlist; diligence handover.
Discuss this engagementEvidence to bring
Provide the mandate or investment thesis, authorised decision-makers, existing adviser appointments, available financial and operating information, constraints, timing and the specific decision requiring support.
Proof and delivery requirements
Before engagement, confirm the named delivery lead, relevant experience, permitted references, specialist qualifications, document access and sample deliverable structure. Any transaction or performance claim requires verifiable source evidence and permission to use it.
Delivery responsibilities
Target inclusion conveys a research fit to the mandate. Seller willingness, availability, financial data, valuation and transaction permissions require verification before an approach or offer.
GCC and cross-border mandates
Define the scope for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and any wider international market relevant to the mandate. Assess local ownership, investment, promotion, data, tax and execution requirements with qualified advisers. Country references describe the intended assessment scope.
Capital markets ecosystem
Investment roles, structures and decision criteria
Explore the participants and transaction options relevant to this practice. Each entry sets out a discussion scope, decision checks, a paid engagement starting point and the specialist responsibilities to confirm.
Strategic and Financial Buyers
Industry ConsolidatorsCME-096 · Strategic and Financial Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Private equity
- Instrument context
- Share or asset purchase
Mandate context: business acquisitions, platform investments and add-on transactions. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition fit and the evidence required to proceed.
- Strategic thesis and target criteria
- Valuation, funding and seller readiness
- Control, integration capacity and execution conditions
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative UAE buyer considering a Saudi target can compare strategic fit, ownership, funding, approvals and integration requirements before authorising an approach. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Industry Consolidators?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeRoll-Up PlatformsCME-097 · Strategic and Financial Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Private equity
- Instrument context
- Share or asset purchase
Mandate context: business acquisitions, platform investments and add-on transactions. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition fit and the evidence required to proceed.
- Strategic thesis and target criteria
- Valuation, funding and seller readiness
- Control, integration capacity and execution conditions
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative UAE buyer considering a Saudi target can compare strategic fit, ownership, funding, approvals and integration requirements before authorising an approach. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Roll-Up Platforms?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopePlatform-Company AcquirersCME-098 · Strategic and Financial Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Private equity
- Instrument context
- Share or asset purchase
Mandate context: business acquisitions, platform investments and add-on transactions. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition fit and the evidence required to proceed.
- Strategic thesis and target criteria
- Valuation, funding and seller readiness
- Control, integration capacity and execution conditions
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative UAE buyer considering a Saudi target can compare strategic fit, ownership, funding, approvals and integration requirements before authorising an approach. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Platform-Company Acquirers?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeAdd-On Acquisition VehiclesCME-099 · Strategic and Financial Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Private equity
- Instrument context
- Share or asset purchase
Mandate context: business acquisitions, platform investments and add-on transactions. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition fit and the evidence required to proceed.
- Strategic thesis and target criteria
- Valuation, funding and seller readiness
- Control, integration capacity and execution conditions
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative UAE buyer considering a Saudi target can compare strategic fit, ownership, funding, approvals and integration requirements before authorising an approach. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Add-On Acquisition Vehicles?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeOperator-Led Buyers
Search-Fund OperatorsCME-103 · Operator-Led Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Private equity
- Instrument context
- Share purchase
Mandate context: owner-managed and management-led acquisitions. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Operator readiness and an executable ownership plan.
- Operator capability and management continuity
- Equity, debt and seller alignment
- Governance, incentives and transition dependencies
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative GCC management buyout can be screened for operator capacity, funding sources, management incentives and transition responsibilities. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Search-Fund Operators?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeAsset and Special Situations Buyers
Franchise ConsolidatorsCME-122 · Asset and Special Situations Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Alternatives
- Instrument context
- Asset or share purchase
Mandate context: asset purchases, infrastructure transactions and stressed situations. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition perimeter and recoverable value.
- Assets, title and transaction perimeter
- Operating continuity and specialist diligence
- Liabilities, approvals and recovery or exit scenarios
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative Kuwait asset acquisition can distinguish the assets included, title evidence, operating dependencies and liabilities requiring specialist review. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Franchise Consolidators?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeCross-Border AcquirersCME-124 · Asset and Special Situations Buyers · Buyer
- Ecosystem role
- Buyer
- Related asset class
- Alternatives
- Instrument context
- Asset or share purchase
Mandate context: asset purchases, infrastructure transactions and stressed situations. The structure and rights are established by the specific transaction documents.
Decision focus: Acquisition perimeter and recoverable value.
- Assets, title and transaction perimeter
- Operating continuity and specialist diligence
- Liabilities, approvals and recovery or exit scenarios
Scope to discuss: Buy-side target search, screening, valuation, diligence and acquisition execution.
Paid engagement entry point: acquisition thesis and target-screening sprint; followed by diligence and deal execution.
Illustrative GCC scenario: An illustrative Kuwait asset acquisition can distinguish the assets included, title evidence, operating dependencies and liabilities requiring specialist review. This is a hypothetical decision example.
What should be agreed before a mandate involving Cross-Border Acquirers?
Define the investment or transaction objective, the authorised decision-maker, the evidence available, the requested deliverables and the next approval. Use the decision checks above to identify gaps; agree the workplan, delivery responsibilities and fee terms in writing.
Delivery and specialist boundary: Confirm decision authority, evidence access, conflicts, scope and applicable jurisdiction-specific permissions before execution. Legal, tax, fund-marketing, securities and Shariah questions require the relevant appointed specialist. Capital availability, investment returns and execution dates remain subject to assessment.
Discuss a paid scopeFurther reading on diligence, market frameworks and applicable requirements. These resources do not verify an individual mandate or Matchpoint permission.
Engagement questions
What is the first paid engagement?
Acquisition-thesis workshop; target-search mandate; evidence-based shortlist; diligence handover.
How are scope, fees and specialist responsibilities agreed?
Target inclusion conveys a research fit to the mandate. Seller willingness, availability, financial data, valuation and transaction permissions require verification before an approach or offer. Agree the deliverables, named providers, timetable, evidence access and fee terms in writing before work begins.
