Start here
The Ascend M&A Readiness Score
Use this first whether you want to acquire, grow through acquisition or prepare for exit. It helps you identify whether the gap sits in direction, capability or momentum.
Download free PDF ↓
The Ascend M&A Resource Hub
Useful first.Free on purpose.
Practical tools for buying a business, growing through acquisition and building a stronger business for exit.
No emailNo sign-upNo catch
Use them. Keep them. Share them. If you get stuck, ask.
I would rather help somebody do M&A properly than make useful information conditional on joining a mailing list. Start with the readiness check, choose your route and take the next sensible step.
Step 1 — everybody starts here
Find out where you actually are.
Before choosing a route, expose the gaps. This gives you a simple starting point instead of guessing what you need next.
Step 2 — choose your route
What are you trying to do?
Pick the closest option. I will show you the free tools in the order I would use them.
Your route — aspiring acquirer
Get ready. Get focused. Get into market.
Do not try to learn everything before you start. Use these in sequence, then enter the market as soon as the foundations are strong enough.
1
Reality check
Download ↓Are You Actually Ready To Buy A Business?
Check whether your capital, judgement and execution are ready for live deal flow.
2
Search discipline
Download ↓The Buy Box
Lock the YES box and the NO box so you stop changing strategy every time a new opportunity appears.
3
Funding readiness
Download ↓Acquisition Funding — What Lenders Want To See
Understand your borrowing lane, the main funding routes and why debt still has to be serviced after completion.
4
Deal judgement
Download ↓The Buyer’s Eye
Use the same first-pass review every time so the wrong opportunities get rejected before they consume hours and fees.
5
The Ascend approach
Download ↓Market Ready In 30 Days Maximum
See how Ascend closes the essential gaps quickly and moves you into live search as soon as you are ready — never later than day 30.
If these tools are enough for where you are today, use them and keep moving. If you want somebody experienced beside you while the search becomes real, Acquisition Launch is the next step.
Your route — established business owner
Strengthen the base before you add another business.
Acquisition can accelerate a strong business. It can also magnify a weak one. Start with readiness, then use the commercial tools as live opportunities appear.
1
Acquisition readiness
Download ↓Is Your Business Ready To Acquire Another One?
Check whether the current business has the financial headroom, management capacity and operational discipline to carry an acquisition.
2
Funding
Download ↓Acquisition Funding — What Lenders Want To See
Understand the funding structure before the completion cheque puts unnecessary pressure on the business afterwards.
3
Opportunity review
Download ↓The Buyer’s Eye
Apply a repeatable first look to targets before your team, advisers and professional fees get pulled into the wrong deal.
The tools help you assess the next move. Business Ascent is for owners who want acquisition strategy, the existing business and live transactions connected through one 1:1 advisory relationship.
Your route — business owner
Build a better business before you need the sale.
Exit preparation should improve the business you own today. Value, freedom and transferability usually improve together when the company needs less of the owner.
1
Build value
Download ↓The Exit Value Guide
Work through 15 practical changes that make the business stronger internally and easier for somebody else to own later.
Do the improvements because they make the business better now. If exit later becomes the right move, Exit Pathway helps you build transferability and readiness before the timing becomes urgent.
Want to see what sits behind Ascend?
The toolkit is the artillery. The partnership is the advantage.
Ascend has 80+ specialist tools across strategy, financials, business, M&A and progress. Clients do not get a folder dumped on them. I use the relevant tool when it helps solve the next real problem.
Download the toolkit showcase ↓If you get stuck
Ask. I will point you in the right direction.
If you are not in a financial position to work with Ascend yet, use the free resources. If something does not make sense or you are unsure which way to go, send me a message. I am here to help people approach M&A properly.
Ask Charlie ↗The tools show you what to do.Ascend is for people who want direct 1:1 support while they actually do it. Every client works with me personally.