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The transfer of a company – whether it involves the sale of a business, the acquisition of an SME, or the transfer of a corporation – represents a strategic and often complex moment. In Switzerland, nearly 40% of SME owners are planning a succession within the next ten years, and financing arrangements are among the main challenges for both buyers and sellers.
Selling or acquiring: two sides of the same coin
For the seller, transferring a business is as much an emotional decision as a financial one. It involves properly valuing the asset, securing payment, and sometimes ensuring a smooth transition with the new management.
For the buyer, the challenge is different: how to finance the acquisition while preserving the liquidity needed for the company’s future growth?
This is where specific financing mechanisms come into play, often different from traditional bank loans.
Vendor credit: a flexible solution
Vendor credit is a common practice in business transfers. The principle is simple: the seller agrees to defer part of the sale price, allowing the buyer to generate sufficient cash flow through the acquired business activity.
This solution offers several advantages:
- Trust: the seller demonstrates confidence in the company’s sustainability.
- Flexibility: the buyer can finance part of the price through equity or bank loans and balance the rest with vendor credit.
- Faster transaction: fewer delays caused by a lack of immediate liquidity.
However, this method also involves risks for the seller, who depends on the buyer’s ability to meet payment commitments. That is why professional structuring and guidance are essential.
Alternative financing: bridging the gap
Traditional banks often impose strict conditions – several years of positive balance sheets, solid guarantees, and optimal financial ratios. Many buyers do not yet have that level of financial strength.
That’s where PrestaFlex comes in, with tailored financing solutions such as:
- Mezzanine financing: a subordinated loan that strengthens the company’s equity position in the eyes of banks.
- Bridge loans: to provide interim financing pending final bank approval or fundraising.
- Factoring and leasing: to free up liquidity without tying up all available capital in the acquisition.
- Private investors and Private Equity: to support post-acquisition growth.
The PrestaFlex advantage
PrestaFlex acts as a financial architect. Our role is to structure the transaction and find the optimal balance among different sources of funding: buyer’s equity, bank financing, vendor credit, mezzanine loans, or investor participation.
We support both sellers and buyers:
- Sellers benefit from secured payment structures tailored to their needs.
- Buyers gain access to practical solutions that help overcome barriers to traditional bank credit.
Our expertise is built on years of collaboration with banks, family offices, specialized funds, and private investors, both in Switzerland and internationally.
Key takeaway
The sale or acquisition of a company is a pivotal stage that requires careful planning and customized financial engineering.
With its flexible solutions – vendor credit, mezzanine financing, bridge loans, factoring, and Private Equity – PrestaFlex positions itself as the ideal partner to complete these transactions safely and successfully.
An article by Munur Aslan, Director of PrestaFlex.
The transfer of a company – whether it involves the sale of a business, the acquisition of an SME, or the transfer of a corporation – represents a strategic and often complex moment. In Switzerland, nearly 40% of SME owners are planning a succession within the next ten years, and financing arrangements are among the main challenges for both buyers and sellers.
Selling or acquiring: two sides of the same coin
For the seller, transferring a business is as much an emotional decision as a financial one. It involves properly valuing the asset, securing payment, and sometimes ensuring a smooth transition with the new management.
For the buyer, the challenge is different: how to finance the acquisition while preserving the liquidity needed for the company’s future growth?
This is where specific financing mechanisms come into play, often different from traditional bank loans.
Vendor credit: a flexible solution
Vendor credit is a common practice in business transfers. The principle is simple: the seller agrees to defer part of the sale price, allowing the buyer to generate sufficient cash flow through the acquired business activity.
This solution offers several advantages:
- Trust: the seller demonstrates confidence in the company’s sustainability.
- Flexibility: the buyer can finance part of the price through equity or bank loans and balance the rest with vendor credit.
- Faster transaction: fewer delays caused by a lack of immediate liquidity.
However, this method also involves risks for the seller, who depends on the buyer’s ability to meet payment commitments. That is why professional structuring and guidance are essential.
Alternative financing: bridging the gap
Traditional banks often impose strict conditions – several years of positive balance sheets, solid guarantees, and optimal financial ratios. Many buyers do not yet have that level of financial strength.
That’s where PrestaFlex comes in, with tailored financing solutions such as:
- Mezzanine financing: a subordinated loan that strengthens the company’s equity position in the eyes of banks.
- Bridge loans: to provide interim financing pending final bank approval or fundraising.
- Factoring and leasing: to free up liquidity without tying up all available capital in the acquisition.
- Private investors and Private Equity: to support post-acquisition growth.
The PrestaFlex advantage
PrestaFlex acts as a financial architect. Our role is to structure the transaction and find the optimal balance among different sources of funding: buyer’s equity, bank financing, vendor credit, mezzanine loans, or investor participation.
We support both sellers and buyers:
- Sellers benefit from secured payment structures tailored to their needs.
- Buyers gain access to practical solutions that help overcome barriers to traditional bank credit.
Our expertise is built on years of collaboration with banks, family offices, specialized funds, and private investors, both in Switzerland and internationally.
Key takeaway
The sale or acquisition of a company is a pivotal stage that requires careful planning and customized financial engineering.
With its flexible solutions – vendor credit, mezzanine financing, bridge loans, factoring, and Private Equity – PrestaFlex positions itself as the ideal partner to complete these transactions safely and successfully.
An article by Munur Aslan, Director of PrestaFlex.
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