Buy a business in Canada.
Buyer-aligned advisory. Off-market deal flow, financing structure, due diligence, closing, and a 100-day plan written before you sign.
10 steps from criteria to integration.
Acquisition criteria
Define what you're looking for: industry, size, geography, deal structure, financing capacity, timeline.
Sourcing & screening
Off-market deal flow from SAZ network + on-market listings. Initial screening for fit and economics.
Indication of Interest (IOI)
Non-binding indication to advance qualified targets. Sets valuation range and key terms.
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Binding (on exclusivity) LOI: price, structure, earn-outs, working capital target, financing contingencies, timeline.
Financing structure
Bank debt, BDC, vendor takeback, mezzanine, equity rollover, search fund equity. Optimized for your situation.
Due diligence
Financial, legal, tax, operational, IT, environmental, HR, commercial. Coordinated through SAZ-managed data room.
Definitive agreements
Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) or Share Purchase Agreement (SPA). Negotiate reps & warranties, indemnification, escrow.
Closing
Funds flow, working capital settlement, escrow, employee transition. Day-1 readiness.
100-day plan
Pre-built and executed: top-3 customer meetings, key employee retention, systems integration, quick wins.
Integration & value creation
Operating cadence, financial controls, growth initiatives, eventual exit planning.
How Canadian business acquisitions are funded.
Most deals stack multiple sources. SAZ structures the optimal blend for your situation.
| Source | Typical leverage | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior bank debt | 2–4× EBITDA | Prime + 1–3% | BMO, RBC, TD, Scotiabank, CIBC — typical for stable cashflow businesses. |
| BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) | Up to 5× EBITDA | Prime + 2–4% | Government-backed, more flexible terms, longer amortization (up to 25 years). |
| Vendor takeback (VTB) | 10–30% of purchase | 5–8% | Seller financing. Signals seller confidence in business. Often 3–5 year terms. |
| Mezzanine debt | 1–2× EBITDA | 10–15% + warrants | Subordinated to senior debt. Used to bridge equity gap. |
| Equity rollover | 5–20% of purchase | N/A (no cash cost) | Seller keeps minority equity stake. Aligns incentives through earn-out period. |
| Search fund equity | 60–100% of equity | Equity stake to investors | Backed by professional searcher investors. Common for first-time buyers. |
| SBA-style government programs | CSBFP up to $1M | Prime + 3% | Canada Small Business Financing Program. Up to $1M for equipment/leasehold, $150K working capital. |
Buy guides for 124+ business types.
Each business type has unique acquisition dynamics — multiples, financing patterns, integration playbooks.
Home Services
14 typesProfessional Services
18 typesRetail
13 typesFood & Beverage
10 typesHospitality
5 typesHealth & Wellness
12 typesAutomotive
7 typesConstruction & Trades
6 typesManufacturing
7 typesE-commerce & Digital
6 typesTransportation & Logistics
6 typesEducation & Childcare
6 typesSpecialty
7 typesIndustrial & B2B
5 typesReal Estate
2 typesBuyer questions, answered honestly.
Start with your acquisition criteria call.
A senior SAZ partner. NDA-first. info@Sedighi.ca or (604) 632-4959.