KIAP - M&A Platform (English)

Thank you in advance for responding to the below questions. This will help me in completing my final thesis (the "Knowledge-In-Action Project") for the Executive MBA programme at Vlerick Business School. This questionnaire should not take your more than 5

minutes of your time.

The aim of this questionnaire is to explore where the process of acquiring a business can be made more convenient, in particular to link candidate-buyers with persons selling their business.

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner?

No, but I was one in the past

No, but I would like to be one in the future

No, but I am a professional helping entrepreneurs and business owners buy and sell businesses (lawyer, investment banker, accountant, consultant…)

If you are currently an entrepreneur or business owner, what is the turnover has your business made in the last full year?

Between EUR 0 and EUR 500,000

Between EUR 500,001 and EUR 1,000,000

Between EUR 1,000,001 and EUR 5,000,000

Between EUR 5,000,001 and EUR 20,000,000

Between EUR 20,000,001 and EUR 50,000,000

More than EUR 50,000,000

Do you think that, in the next 5 years, you will want to buy another business, or sell the business you currently have?

Yes, sell my current business

Yes, buy another business

No, but if something interesting comes up, I will consider it

No, I'm happy with the the current situation

If you would ever want to buy or sell a business, where would you start looking for a suitable business to buy, or suitable buyer to sell your business to? (multiple answers possible)

Someone would mention it to me - Word to mouth

I would ask friends and family

I would ask my accountant / auditor

I would visit specialized websites online or specialized applications

I would visit trade events

I would ask around in the industry organisations I'm currently a part of, or where the business is active in

Other than the price, what to you believe is most important to clarify before buy / sell a business?

What is for you the biggest hurdle when you think about identifying the right business to acquire (if you are buying), or the right buyer for your business (if you are selling)?

Assume there would be a website or app where people who want to sell their business can list it for sale, and you would want to use this website or app to find an interesting business to buy. What would you like to have this website or app to do/offer? (multiple answers possible)

Only list the potential businesses for sale, and give me the basic information on these companies

Connect me to the business that is "right" for me (if I would be buying) / to the most suitable candidate buyers (if I would be selling), on the basis of tailored questions

Share some information on the business for sale

Share very detailed information on the business for sale

Help arrange the paperwork to complete the sale

Help find financing to complete the acquisition

Help to arrange the payment of the purchase price

KIAP - M&A Platform (English)

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner?

In what industry?

If you are currently an entrepreneur or business owner, what is the turnover has your business made in the last full year?

Do you think that, in the next 5 years, you will want to buy another business, or sell the business you currently have?

If you would ever want to buy or sell a business, where would you start looking for a suitable business to buy, or suitable buyer to sell your business to? (multiple answers possible)

Other than the price, what to you believe is most important to clarify before buy / sell a business?

What is for you the biggest hurdle when you think about identifying the right business to acquire (if you are buying), or the right buyer for your business (if you are selling)?

Assume there would be a website or app where people who want to sell their business can list it for sale, and you would want to use this website or app to find an interesting business to buy. What would you like to have this website or app to do/offer? (multiple answers possible)

Are you aware of websites or apps offering such services? If so, can you name them (maximum 3)?

If you have answered "yes" on Question 9, please name the websites or apps (maximum 3)

If you have answered "yes" on Question 9, can you please elaborate on what you don't like about these websites or apps?