We are committed to helping business owners understand and achieve the optimum exit value they deserve.
Explore our proprietary PROVE it Platform™ components:
Welcome to Cutwater Advisory Partners
Why Cutwater Advisory Partners?
We are the only partner to bring all these critical pieces together to ensure you get the optimal exit you deserve
Capital
We are different than exit advisors because we can bring capital to fund the growth.
People
We are different than exit advisors because we bring seasoned executives to implement the growth strategy.
Process
Our unique PROVE it Canvas™ delivers a personalized roadmap to a pre-paved optimal exit process.
Proven Results
We’ve been able to drive between 15% and 50+% increase in exit value over market value for our clients.
Only Cutwater Advisory Partners provides the four critical components to an optimal exit:
Cutwater Advisory Partners coordinates and implements all four components of an Optimum Exit Value™.
Our experts in their field implement the PROVE it Canvas™ components or we bring in outside consultants that are experts.
Our Private Equity division brings capital when necessary.
Our investment banking division coordinates the Optimum Value Exit™, and we work with expert investment banks that are specialists in the sector.
Our network of Private Equity partners are also prime acquirers.
Investment Banks
Investment Banks are experts at taking an “As Is” business and implementing a market value transaction. They don’t identify, invest in, nor implement operational improvements to increase the market value.
Private Equity
Private Equity groups invest in growing companies that have minimum Revenue & EBITDA metrics for a longer term investment return. They don’t grow and coordinate exit transactions within a 18-36 month period and certainly don’t bring executive and operational expertise.
Venture Capital
Venture Capital groups identify strong, young companies that are well-run for a future home-run return. They do not bring operational expertise and coordinate an exit transaction within a 18-36 month period.
Consultants
Consultants are a key component to a business needing external resources to improve operational performance. Most consultants aim for Six Sigma, Lean or other metrics with the goal of maximizing their fees over a long period of time. They are not experts in market values and certainly don’t coordinate Optimum Value Exits™.
Three Steps to an Optimal Exit
Build Your PROVE it Canvas™
A detailed analysis and diagnosis resulting in a Personalized Roadmap to an Optimum Value Exit that defines what the optimum value may be, and what is required to actually achieve it — including operational gaps, buyer value metrics, and capital injection. The Optimal Exit Timing™ may be six months or 36 months depending on the results of the PROVE it Canvas™.
Engagement Timing
2-4 Weeks
Run Optimum Value Exit Engagement
Using the PROVE it Canvas™, we build the pre-paved path to an optimal exit by executing the plan; We define a strategic team for operational improvement (as needed); deliver capital injection; and grow the business to its Optimum Value and coordinate a seamless exit. This process could take 6-24 months depending on the results of the PROVE it Canvas™.
Engagement Timing
6-24 Months
Execute Sale Transaction
Regardless of the timing, our focus is to exit your business at the Optimum Value. We will find the strategic buyers that will pay a premium, pre-pave the exit and seamlessly coordinate the M&A event. We are Series 79 licensed and have significant M&A experience and a broad network of investment banking and private equity partners.
Engagement Timing
6-9 Months (Overlaps with Step 2)
Exit Strategy Options
Exit Now
If after conversations with the business owners, or after our PROVE it Canvas™ is completed, it is determined that the best timing to sell their business is now, we will engage with the business owner and start pulling together all the necessary components for an immediate Optimum Value Exit™. The timing would be six to nine months to implement the sale.
Tune Up & Sell
If the decision to sell the business is in the near term, but there are various items that need to be tuned up, we will immediately engage with the business owner and prepare for an Optimum Value exit. Depending on the items needed, it could be six to 12 months before the sale would go through.
Grow & Exit
We Acquire Business
Wealth Management Partnerships
Our multiple Wealth Management partners are key to business owners exiting at their Optimum Value™. As outlined in Christopher Riley’s latest book, The Advisor’s Legacy, businesses leave 20% – 40% of their value on the table.
Click the Wealth Management tab below to learn about how we combat this value loss and to set up an Optimum Exit Value™ workshop.
"Most business owners leave 15%-50% on the table, because they don't understand what their company is truly worth... and we can PROVE it!"
- Christopher Riley, Chairman Cutwater Advisory Partners
What our customers say
“The Cutwater experience exiting our technology company was unlike what we knew of traditional investment banking. When we closed our deal at 34% higher exit value only 11 months after our final offer from other investment banking sources, we couldn’t believe that this option was available…and we almost missed it.”
Dennis, CPA Partner & Business Owner
“Chris is a very intelligent and talented CEO who performed admirably in a high pressure and quickly changing environment. He had a tremendous command of accounting and financial issues, and easily grasped the legal issues assigned to me…his leadership style allowed for executives to remain calm and motivated during challenging situations.”
Former US Attorney, General Counsel
“[Steve] is sharp, clear and decisive. I’ve seen him come into multiple situations and bring in deep insights and action right where they are needed most.”
Jesse, Chief Executive Officer
