Buyside Support
Acquisition support that covers the deal and the funding together. Target assessment, capital structure and lender process management — so the financing is in place when the deal needs it.
Deal and funding together, not in sequence.
Most acquisitions fail to complete, or complete on worse terms, because the financing was assembled too late. K3 Deal Advisory works with acquirers on target assessment, capital structure and the debt process — so the funding is in place when the deal requires it.
Why funding strategy belongs inside the M&A process
A credible acquisition requires a credible funded offer. Assembling the capital structure after heads of terms are signed — or, worse, after exclusivity is granted — compresses lender timelines, reduces competitive tension among debt providers and leaves the acquirer exposed to price re-negotiation if credit approval is delayed.
We run the debt process in parallel with the M&A process, so that lender credit approval arrives before the deal requires it.
What buyside support covers
We advise on four interconnected components: target assessment before capital is committed; capital structure design covering debt quantum, facility type and equity requirement; funding strategy where the acquisition interacts with the acquirer's existing facilities; and transaction execution support through due diligence, lender process and completion.
The mandate covers the deal and the funding as a single integrated question — not as separate workstreams.
Acquisition types
We advise acquirers across all principal acquisition situations: identified targets requiring rapid capital structure assessment; competitive processes requiring a funded bid at pace; acquisitions that exceed existing debt headroom; financial sponsor platform and bolt-on transactions; and buy-and-build programmes where each acquisition requires capital structure work before approach.
Debt advisory integration
Acquisition financing is a subset of debt advisory. Where the deal requires a standalone debt raise — senior facility, unitranche, asset-based lending — we run that process as part of the buyside mandate. The client does not need to appoint two advisers.
Four components of buyside support.
The advisory mandate covers the deal and the funding strategy as a single integrated question — not as separate workstreams handed to different advisers.
Target assessment
Before committing to a process, we help acquirers assess a target — financial profile, debt capacity, likely vendor price expectations and whether the deal makes commercial sense at any realistic structure.
Capital structure for the acquisition
What combination of debt and equity funds the deal? What leverage is appropriate? What lender market is relevant for this transaction size and sector? These questions need answers before heads of terms are signed.
Funding strategy
Where acquisition financing interacts with the acquirer's existing capital structure — existing facilities, covenant headroom, refinancing requirements — we advise on the combined position, not each element in isolation.
Transaction execution support
We work alongside the acquirer's legal and financial advisers throughout the deal process — from due diligence through to completion — providing financial modelling, lender process management and completion support.
Where buyside support connects to debt advisory.
Five acquisition situations we advise on.
A target has been identified — what can we pay and how do we fund it?
The acquirer has found a target and needs to quickly assess what can be paid and what the funding structure looks like before the seller's process moves forward.
We are in a competitive process and need to move quickly on funding
A competitive auction requires a credible, funded bid. We support acquirers in assembling the capital structure and lender support at pace without compromising on terms.
The acquisition would exceed our existing debt headroom
The target is attractive but the acquirer's existing facility cannot accommodate the deal. A new or enlarged debt package needs to run alongside the acquisition process.
PE firm acquiring a platform or bolt-on
A financial sponsor is acquiring a platform investment or adding a bolt-on to an existing portfolio company. The debt process, leverage analysis and lender approach are all part of the mandate.
Management team backing a buy-and-build with acquisitions
An owner-managed business has a buy-and-build strategy. Each acquisition requires capital structure assessment and financing before approach. We support the programme, not just individual deals.
Funding strategy alongside the acquisition process.
The debt process runs in parallel with the M&A process. We coordinate both timelines so lender credit approval arrives before the deal requires it — not after.
Deal assessment
We assess the target's financial profile, the acquirer's existing capital structure and the likely deal parameters — purchase price range, funding gap and the appropriate debt structure to support the transaction.
Capital structure modelling
We model the acquisition capital structure — leverage, debt service, combined entity covenants, interest cover — and stress-test across deal price and trading scenarios. The model supports both the lender process and the acquirer's internal approval.
Lender and investor approach
We identify the appropriate debt providers for the acquisition financing and, where equity is required, the right investor universe. We run the process in parallel with the acquisition timeline.
Deal execution
We work alongside the acquirer's legal and M&A advisers through due diligence, lender credit approval and completion, providing financial analysis, managing the debt process and protecting management bandwidth through the transaction.
Deal and funding outputs, not just advisory presence.
- 01
Target assessment: financial profile, debt capacity, deal pricing considerations and funding options
- 02
Acquisition capital structure design — debt quantum, facility type, equity requirement and combined-entity leverage analysis
- 03
Combined entity financial model with covenant analysis and scenario sensitivities
- 04
Lender information memorandum prepared for acquisition financing approach
- 05
Lender process management from approach through to credit approval and facility documentation
- 06
Transaction execution support through to completion
Debt Advisory
Structuring and executing debt raises across acquisitions, refinancing, growth capital and shareholder situations. Senior-led process from assessment through to drawdown.
Management Buy-Outs
Independent capital structure and process advice for management teams navigating buy-out transactions — from feasibility through to completion.
Equity Raise Advisory
When equity is the right answer — assessing the case, preparing the investment story and running a targeted investor process.
Recapitalisation
Where existing debt no longer fits — maturity pressure, covenant strain, ownership change or capital structure misalignment.
Working on an acquisition?
Early engagement on funding structure protects the deal timeline. Most acquisition assessments can be scoped in a short first call.