A direct path for business owners
If you are considering a sale, Duck Creek Capital offers a direct conversation with a prospective acquirer. We focus on established, profitable U.S. businesses and evaluate each opportunity on its own facts.
Is Duck Creek a fit for your business?
Our published criteria are designed to help owners and advisors determine whether an initial conversation is worthwhile. They are guideposts, not a promise to pursue or complete a transaction.
We also consider the durability of earnings and cash flow, customer relationships, management capabilities, operational needs, the company's position in its market, and the owner's objectives. A business does not fit simply because it reaches a financial threshold; the whole company and the potential transition matter.
Why consider selling directly to a buyer?
A focused conversation
A bilateral discussion lets an owner and one prospective buyer explore fit before deciding whether to invest more time. It can be useful when an owner already understands the kind of transaction and counterparty they want.
Controlled early disclosure
An owner can begin with a high-level overview rather than broadly circulating detailed information. More sensitive information should be shared only as the process and confidentiality arrangements justify.
Direct feedback
A prospective buyer can explain what it needs to understand, how the business relates to its criteria, and which issues require more work. Direct feedback does not guarantee an offer or closing.
Alignment on transition
Owners can discuss priorities such as retirement, succession, continuing involvement, employees, and the company's future. Any final structure depends on diligence, negotiation, approvals, and definitive agreements.
Direct sale or brokered process?
Neither approach is automatically better. A broker or investment banker may help prepare materials, identify buyers, coordinate a broader market process, and assist the seller in comparing bids. That can be valuable when an owner wants broad exposure or does not already have likely counterparties.
A direct process is a one-to-one discussion with a possible buyer. It may reduce the number of parties receiving information and can simplify communication, but it does not create the competitive tension of a broad process. Sellers should compare likely fees, confidentiality, workload, buyer fit, certainty, timing, and their need for representation. Duck Creek does not advise sellers on which method they must choose.
Read the balanced comparison in Selling Directly vs. Using a Business Broker and the practical guide to selling without a broker.
What Duck Creek looks for
We seek established U.S. businesses with $5 million to $50 million in annual revenue and $1 million to $7 million in EBITDA. We look for consistent profitability, recurring or repeat revenue, durable cash flow, and a strong market position. Learn how these factors relate to broader buyer considerations in What Business Buyers Look For.
What the acquisition process can involve
High-level introduction
Share what the company does, where it operates, its approximate size, and why you are considering a transaction.
Initial fit review
Duck Creek considers the opportunity against its published criteria and asks focused questions. Some opportunities will not fit.
Preliminary information
If there appears to be alignment, the parties may discuss confidentiality and a measured exchange of financial and operating information.
Evaluation and potential indication
Further review may lead to a preliminary indication of interest. No offer is promised, and any indication may be subject to conditions.
Diligence, documents, and closing
If both sides choose to proceed, a transaction can involve a letter of intent, confirmatory diligence, financing, definitive agreements, approvals, closing, and transition planning.
See the full Duck Creek acquisition process and the owner's guide to selling a business.
Confidentiality and initial information
Begin with information that is useful but not highly sensitive. Do not submit Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, bank credentials, account passwords, customer lists, detailed employee records, or other information that is unnecessary for an initial inquiry. Website transmissions are not a substitute for a signed confidentiality agreement.
A helpful first overview usually includes the company's industry, location, approximate revenue and EBITDA range, years in business, owner involvement, recurring or repeat revenue profile, major customer concentration at a high level, reason for considering a sale, and desired timing.
Frequently asked questions
Do you buy businesses directly?
Duck Creek Capital is a prospective direct buyer. If a business fits our criteria, we may explore purchasing it directly, subject to diligence, negotiation, approvals, financing, and definitive agreements.
Are you a business broker?
No. Duck Creek Capital is not presenting itself as a broker and does not represent sellers in listing or marketing their companies to third-party buyers.
What types of businesses do you buy?
Our public criteria emphasize established U.S. businesses with durable cash flow, consistent profitability, recurring or repeat revenue, and a strong market position. We do not publish a list of preferred industries, so we do not imply one here.
What size businesses do you consider?
Our published range is $5 million to $50 million in annual revenue and $1 million to $7 million in EBITDA.
What happens after I submit my business?
Duck Creek reviews the high-level information for alignment with its criteria. If a conversation appears warranted, the next step may be a request for additional context. Submission does not create an obligation to respond, make an offer, or complete a transaction.
Do I need a broker to talk with Duck Creek?
No. Owners may contact Duck Creek directly, and intermediaries may also introduce opportunities. Duck Creek does not advise you whether to retain a broker or other representative.
How is my business evaluated?
Financial thresholds are only a starting point. Evaluation may also consider earnings quality and durability, customers, management, market position, operations, growth opportunities, risks, and transition needs.
Is the conversation confidential?
Duck Creek treats inquiries with care, but a website submission is not a confidentiality agreement. Share high-level information first and use an appropriate written agreement before disclosing sensitive information.
See whether your business fits
Start with a high-level, non-confidential overview. Duck Creek Capital will consider the information against its acquisition criteria and determine whether a direct conversation makes sense.