Can you sell a business without a broker?
Yes. Many small software businesses sell directly to a buyer. The real question is which process fits your goals, and what help you still need.
Contents5.1Can a founder sell without a broker?1 / 5
§ 5.1
Can a founder sell without a broker?Yes, with preparation.
Yes. A direct sale can be simpler, more private and cheaper. You give up the wide outreach and the managed process that a broker provides. You still need a lawyer, and often an accountant.
- A direct sale works best when you know which buyers to approach.
- A broker adds reach, price discovery and process management, for a fee.
- Advisers protect you in the agreement whichever path you choose.
§ 5.2
Direct, broker or marketplace?Four ways to run a sale.
- Path 1
Sell directly to a buyer
You approach one or a few buyers. The process is private and simple, but you set the price with less competition.
- Path 2
Use a broker or an M&A advisor
An adviser prepares materials, contacts buyers and manages offers. They charge a fee, usually a share of the price.
- Path 3
List on a marketplace
You publish a listing and buyers contact you. Reach is wide; screening the buyers is your job.
- Path 4
Run your own outreach
You contact a short list of buyers yourself, with a clear timeline. This is a middle path with more competition and no broker fee.
§ 5.3
When a direct sale is easier.Check these first.
A direct sale is easier when
- Your records are clean and you can share them in an organised way.
- You have a realistic idea of value and a lowest acceptable price.
- You have a lawyer who has read software purchase agreements before.
A broker may help when
- You want many buyers to compete on price.
- You do not have time to manage the process and run the business.
- You do not know which buyers to approach.
§ 5.4
The advisers you still need.Without a broker, not without help.
A lawyer reads the letter of intent and the purchase agreement. They check what you promise, what you are liable for and when you get paid.
An accountant helps you prepare clean monthly records and explains the tax effect of different deal structures.
A founder who has sold before can tell you what surprised them. That conversation is often free and very useful.
§ 5.5
Founder questions.Short answers.
Do I need a broker to talk to Playbook Media?
No. You can email us directly. If you already work with a broker, that is fine too.
Will a direct buyer pay less?
Not always. A broker can create competition, but a direct buyer saves the fee and often moves with fewer steps. Compare what you receive, not only the headline.
How do I check a direct buyer?
Ask who decides, how the purchase is funded, what they have bought before and what they will change. A serious buyer answers these questions plainly.
- 1This guide is general information. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Talk to your own advisers before you sign anything. ↩
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