VARs: Need Merger and Acquisition Advice? Perhaps Foros Can Help

Written by The VAR Guy 1
February 28, 2012

Foros, a financial services firm that provides M&A and corporate finance guidance, apparently played a key role in Presidio's buyout of BlueWater Communications Group.

Foros, a financial services firm that provides M&A and corporate finance guidance, apparently played a key role in Presidio‘s buyout of BlueWater Communications Group. Indeed, that deal, set to be announced sometime this week, combines two VAR 500 companies that have deep Cisco Systems, EMC, unified communications and managed services expertise. So where did Foros enter this M&A picture? The VAR Guy has some thoughts.

First, the background: Presidio employs more than 2,000 IT professionals. BlueWater has been one of Cisco Systems’ fastest-growing channel partners. And Foros apparently advised BlueWater on the sale to Presidio, The VAR Guy has heard from sources down the road from Wall Street.

For VARs and MSPs in the M&A market, a financial advisor can help on a range of M&A processes including:

Preparing a “book” — highlighting a company’s business performance — for potential buyers to review.
Targeting a shortlist of potential suitors and making first contact to see if the potential buyers have interest in the seller. Often, the financial advisor will have direct-dial connections to C-level executives, including CEOs, CFOs and executive VPs of business development.
Setting a company’s proposed valuation based on current and future earnings projections, typically tied to an EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization).
Assisting in M&A negotiations, which often include earn-out agreements, executive retainers, employment contracts, non-compete agreements and more.

The IT channel and technology industries are filled with M&A advisors. Foros is one of the larger players, assisting M&A deals involving such companies as Accenture, CA Technologies, Ciena, Nortel — and now BlueWater Communications Group.

On the small and midsize business (SMB) front, boutique advisors often assist smaller VARs and MSPs. Key names in the M&A advisor field include Cogent Growth Partners, Martin Wolf Securities, and Weaver and Associates (run by MSPAlliance President Charles Weaver), just to name a few.