Anonymous
08/13/2025 13:54
Subject: PE firm buying the company
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, how long have you been at company?
Have you looked up the PE, how large are their other portfolio companies compared to yours?
A prior commenter question on if this is an add on acquisition for them or not?
How close are you to the owner? I would potentially be talking to them to understand what they are advocating for or what they will be carving out of the purchase price as a bonus for you.
OP here. I've been here for almost 2 decades. The PE firm has investments in all types of companies. The fund that they want to include us in will be an add on to an existing company that's also in the DMV. They are a bigger firm by almost $10M more in revenue.
So it sounds like you are redundant in the combined company, and the larger company executive staff will likely be retained?
No. They said she's a key person.
They can say whatever they want, and you can be a key person for the acquisition but not retained in the merged company.
I honestly would be looking for another job if owner is shopping you around, unless they have contracted you some backend equity on the deal.
OP here. I am looking for plan B and C. Talking to some executive recruiters to see what the market has. I feel similarly - they are saying all the right things, but once they integrate the two companies, then why would they keep me around if they already have their management in place? Unless there is going to be a shake-up with that management....
Can you talk to the owner about a retention bonus or some kind of poison pill where if you are laid off after shepherding a merger, you get X% of proceeds or whatnot?
OP here. Good point. I have that on my agenda if this continues to go through, as in, it's happening, and here's a new contract. Upon talking to some folks in the industry, the PE firm may also decide not to move forward. So many moving parts over the last week.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 14:42
Subject: PE firm buying the company
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, how long have you been at company?
Have you looked up the PE, how large are their other portfolio companies compared to yours?
A prior commenter question on if this is an add on acquisition for them or not?
How close are you to the owner? I would potentially be talking to them to understand what they are advocating for or what they will be carving out of the purchase price as a bonus for you.
OP here. I've been here for almost 2 decades. The PE firm has investments in all types of companies. The fund that they want to include us in will be an add on to an existing company that's also in the DMV. They are a bigger firm by almost $10M more in revenue.
So it sounds like you are redundant in the combined company, and the larger company executive staff will likely be retained?
No. They said she's a key person.
They can say whatever they want, and you can be a key person for the acquisition but not retained in the merged company.
I honestly would be looking for another job if owner is shopping you around, unless they have contracted you some backend equity on the deal.
OP here. I am looking for plan B and C. Talking to some executive recruiters to see what the market has. I feel similarly - they are saying all the right things, but once they integrate the two companies, then why would they keep me around if they already have their management in place? Unless there is going to be a shake-up with that management....
Can you talk to the owner about a retention bonus or some kind of poison pill where if you are laid off after shepherding a merger, you get X% of proceeds or whatnot?
Anonymous
08/12/2025 14:16
Subject: PE firm buying the company
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, how long have you been at company?
Have you looked up the PE, how large are their other portfolio companies compared to yours?
A prior commenter question on if this is an add on acquisition for them or not?
How close are you to the owner? I would potentially be talking to them to understand what they are advocating for or what they will be carving out of the purchase price as a bonus for you.
OP here. I've been here for almost 2 decades. The PE firm has investments in all types of companies. The fund that they want to include us in will be an add on to an existing company that's also in the DMV. They are a bigger firm by almost $10M more in revenue.
So it sounds like you are redundant in the combined company, and the larger company executive staff will likely be retained?
No. They said she's a key person.
They can say whatever they want, and you can be a key person for the acquisition but not retained in the merged company.
I honestly would be looking for another job if owner is shopping you around, unless they have contracted you some backend equity on the deal.
OP here. I am looking for plan B and C. Talking to some executive recruiters to see what the market has. I feel similarly - they are saying all the right things, but once they integrate the two companies, then why would they keep me around if they already have their management in place? Unless there is going to be a shake-up with that management....
Anonymous
08/12/2025 12:22
Subject: PE firm buying the company
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, how long have you been at company?
Have you looked up the PE, how large are their other portfolio companies compared to yours?
A prior commenter question on if this is an add on acquisition for them or not?
How close are you to the owner? I would potentially be talking to them to understand what they are advocating for or what they will be carving out of the purchase price as a bonus for you.
OP here. I've been here for almost 2 decades. The PE firm has investments in all types of companies. The fund that they want to include us in will be an add on to an existing company that's also in the DMV. They are a bigger firm by almost $10M more in revenue.
So it sounds like you are redundant in the combined company, and the larger company executive staff will likely be retained?
No. They said she's a key person.
They can say whatever they want, and you can be a key person for the acquisition but not retained in the merged company.
I honestly would be looking for another job if owner is shopping you around, unless they have contracted you some backend equity on the deal.