Buy-Side Acquisition Search
Thoughtful sourcing for long-term capital.
Serica & Co. works with private equity firms, family offices, holding companies, and strategic acquirers to identify businesses that fit a defined acquisition thesis.
Through market research, direct owner outreach, and relationship development, we help buyers discover opportunities and build a more focused acquisition pipeline.
Two Ways to Work With Serica
Every acquisition search begins from a different place. Some buyers are looking to review relevant opportunities from an existing network. Others have a specific industry, geography, or acquisition thesis they want to pursue.
Serica supports both.
Serica Network Opportunities
Considered introductions. Aligned interests.
Serica develops direct relationships with business owners who may be considering succession, liquidity, a strategic partnership, or a future transaction.
When a business appears to fit a buyer’s criteria, we share relevant information and, with the owner’s agreement, facilitate an introduction.
Our focus is on understanding what each party is looking for and creating a basis for a productive conversation.
- Direct relationships with founders and owners
- Confidential opportunity summaries
- Buyer and mandate alignment
- Owner-approved introductions
Dedicated Buy-Side Acquisition Search
Your mandate. A focused search.
For buyers with a defined acquisition thesis, we develop a targeted search around the industries, geographies, and business characteristics that matter to them.
We map the market, research potential targets, and initiate conversations with appropriate owners and industry contacts.
For more on the thinking behind this work, read how to build a better private equity deal sourcing pipeline.
- Platform acquisition sourcing
- Add-on acquisition sourcing
- Market mapping and target research
- Founder and owner outreach
- Opportunity qualification
- Ongoing pipeline development
Our Buy-Side Services
Platform Acquisition Sourcing
We help buyers identify independently owned businesses that may serve as a foundation for a new investment platform. Our research begins with the buyer’s thesis and the characteristics that matter most.
Add-On Acquisition Sourcing
We research and approach businesses that may complement an existing portfolio company through additional capabilities, customers, services, or geographic reach.
Market Mapping & Target Research
We develop a view of companies operating within a defined market, then research and prioritize businesses that appear relevant to the mandate.
Owner Outreach & Relationship Development
We initiate thoughtful conversations with owners and seek to understand their interests, priorities, and openness to further discussion.
Intermediary & Industry Relationships
We connect with relevant intermediaries and industry contacts who can provide market perspective or, where appropriate, facilitate introductions.
From acquisition thesis to owner conversation.
- 01
Define the Mandate
We begin by understanding what you want to acquire and why. Together, we discuss the industries, geographies, business characteristics, and ownership situations that fit your strategy.
- 02
Map the Market
We identify companies within the defined market and develop an organized view of the potential target universe.
- 03
Research and Prioritize
We review businesses against the mandate, researching services, locations, ownership, and leadership where information is available. We identify the companies that appear most relevant and flag what remains uncertain.
- 04
Initiate Conversations
We approach appropriate owners and market contacts with a clear reason for the conversation and an accurate representation of the buyer.
- 05
Qualify and Introduce
When there is a basis for a discussion, we provide context on the business, what the owner has shared, and the next step both parties have agreed to take.
A search built around what matters to you.
No two acquisition mandates are identical. Before outreach begins, we work with buyers to establish the criteria that will guide the search.
- Acquisition strategy
- Platform, add-on, geographic expansion, or a specific capability.
- Industry and services
- The markets and business models central to the thesis.
- Company profile
- Size, customer base, management structure, and operating history.
- Ownership
- Founder-owned, family-owned, or other preferred ownership situations.
- Geography
- Where the business should operate and the importance of local density.
- Transaction objectives
- Full acquisition, majority investment, or another structure.
- Exclusions
- Companies or circumstances unlikely to fit the mandate.
The result is a more focused target universe and a clearer basis for evaluating opportunities.
See also: how to build an acquisition target list that a deal team can use.
Focused research. A considered approach.
Serica supports acquisition research across selected business and industrial services markets, depending on the buyer’s mandate.
We welcome conversations about other sectors where the buyer has a clear thesis and the engagement fits our capabilities.
Potential areas of research include
- Business and outsourced services
- Security and investigations
- Industrial and field services
- Facilities maintenance
- Environmental and inspection services
- Specialized training and workforce services
- Construction and infrastructure support
Who We Work With
Private Equity Firms
Sourcing support for investment teams pursuing platform and add-on acquisitions.
Family Offices
Target research and owner outreach for families investing directly in operating businesses.
Holding Companies
Relationship development with businesses that may fit a long-term ownership approach.
Strategic Acquirers
Focused searches for businesses that may add capabilities, customers, services, or geographic reach.
Independent Sponsors
Research and origination support around a defined acquisition thesis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weighing whether outside support fits your team? Read when outsourced deal sourcing makes sense.
A buy-side acquisition search is a targeted process for identifying and approaching businesses that fit an acquirer’s criteria. It can include market mapping, company research, owner identification, outreach, and relationship development.
Serica Network Opportunities involves introductions to businesses already within our network when there appears to be a fit. A dedicated search begins with a buyer’s specific mandate. We research the market and develop a sourcing approach around those criteria.
Yes. We can research and approach businesses that may complement an existing portfolio company, subject to the buyer’s criteria and the agreed scope of work.
No. An owner may be considering a transaction now, exploring future options, or simply open to learning more about a buyer. We aim to communicate what the owner has actually shared about their interests and timing.
Not necessarily. Direct contact does not, by itself, establish exclusivity. We communicate the status of the opportunity and relevant uncertainties as accurately as we can.
A better search starts
with a clear mandate.
Tell us what you are looking to acquire. We would welcome the opportunity to learn about your strategy and discuss how Serica can help.
Private conversations. Considered introductions. Long-term perspective.