At the end of the year, many business owners take stock. Budgets are set, strategic plans sharpened and during the holidays there is often room for reflection: where am I with my company and where do I want to go?
This phase of reflection often leads to the same question:"Will this really be the year to sell or transfer my business? Recognizable? Then read on.
Peak of activity at beginning of calendar year
We see that the beginning of the calendar year traditionally sees a spike in M&A activity. This is no coincidence. Buyers start the year with new budgets, clear growth objectives and concrete acquisition strategies.
On the sales side, momentum is created at the same time: entrepreneurs who decided late last year that 2026 is a logical transfer year are now starting to think about the first steps. In some cases, you create the most value not at the negotiating table, but in the months or years leading up to the sales process that you spend getting your business ready to sell.
Especially the beginning of a new year is the time to carefully prepare the sales process.
Transaction system in relation to new calendar year
A common system for business acquisitions is to work with a "locked box" mechanism and an effective date that lies in the past. Regularly, January 1 of a calendar year is chosen, for example January 1, 2026. This means that the economic transfer, proceeds, costs and risks are borne by the buyer from that date, while the legal delivery does not take place until later.
In practice, the seller is often still compensated for the period between the effective date and closing at the notary in the form of interest on the purchase price. Annual figures for 2025 then form the basis for the valuation as of January 1, 2026. This provides clarity, but also places high demands on the quality of these figures.
Practical Tips
Especially in these first weeks of the calendar year, these are the practical points that can make the difference in a sales process:
- Complete the annual figures as soon as possible. Final, well-supported figures for the past year give confidence and speed up the sales process.
- Provide reliable monthly and quarterly reports, even in the new year. Consistent management information is essential.
- Perform a legal (and possibly fiscal) scan in good time. Consider, for example, contracts with customers and suppliers, contractual agreements between shareholders, permits, employment contracts and the legal structure. The early identification of points of attention prevents unpleasant surprises later in the process, which are then often beyond repair (with possible financial consequences!).
- Organize the process of business sale or transfer professionally. Well thought-out planning and guidance by a professional not only provide peace of mind, but demonstrably contribute to higher sales proceeds.
No end point
A business sale is not an end point, but a journey that requires time and preparation. Those who use the beginning of the year to take the first steps create space, overview and negotiating power.
