Our process
A clear process that respects your time
Considering what’s next for your business is a big decision. It takes time and energy; two things no founder can afford to waste. Here’s exactly what you can expect:
A conversation, not a commitment
It starts with a simple phone call. No paperwork, no pressure; just a pulse check to discuss whether your business could be one of the businesses we’re looking for. We will also discuss, upfront, whether we’re likely to be aligned on terms. If the answer’s no, you’ll know quickly. If it’s yes, we move forward together.
Getting to know you
Next, we go deeper. We want to understand your business properly: how it works, where the value sits and what makes it hard to replicate. Just as importantly, we want to understand you: what you’re looking for, what matters to you, and whether Keeper & Co is genuinely the right home for what comes next. Then, if we’re not the best fit for your business, we will try to help you find and navigate an alternative.
This step requires a decent block of time (2-3 hours), and it works best when we’re both as transparent as possible.
On the ground, in your business
This is the business end. We come and spend time on-site with you and, if you’re comfortable, your team. Businesses are more organisms than organisations, and there’s only one way to really feel the pulse - by being there in person.
It’s an intense week, deliberately so. You’ll see how we think, what’s important to us, and how we treat your people. You should finish the week as confident about working with us as we are about you.
Align on deal terms
We’ll make you an offer and stick to it. We’ll check the details of the business through due diligence before we sign anything final, but unless we find something material, we won’t use that to lower the price or change the deal.
Before each stage we give you a detailed breakdown of what to expect and what you might need to prepare. At the end of every stage, we give you a clear yes or no (or possibly a ‘not yet’). No lingering, no limbo. The entire process, from first call to decision, is designed to take no more than 8-10 weeks.
We’re here to find Australia’s best family businesses, as efficiently and respectfully as we can, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Our commitment
What we will never do
We will not play games. We will not renegotiate terms partway through a deal, except in the case of a genuine, material omission, and if that happens, we’ll discuss it openly. Every conversation with us will be transparent, fair, and focused on getting to a true win-win. Our reputation as the best home for Australia’s best family businesses depends on it.