Welcome to Grit & Growth’s masterclass on the ins & outs of mergers & acquisitions in Africa, featuring Victor Basta CEO of DAI Magister. From attracting potential buyers to navigating due diligence, Victor provides practical, tactical advice based on 30 years of experience shepherding M&A deals in Europe, the Middle East and across Africa.

Victor Basta has facilitated deals and strategic exits for founders of fast-growing, tech-enabled companies across Africa. And he truly considers it a privilege to be a part of these life-changing events for entrepreneurs, companies, and the continent as a whole.

“Everything we work on is more than an inflection point, more than a pivot point for a company. It sometimes is make or break whether they survive or not. ”

Investing in frontier markets like Africa has both increased perils and possibilities. Which is all the more reason why Victor advises founders to prepare from day one for that eventual life-changing deal. Because, as Victor says, you don’t really get to choose your moment, know when the exit window might open, or control the events.

So, what does success look like? According to Victor it's having to make only small compromises in the final stages of the deal because you’ve prepared and listened during due diligence to know what’s most important to the buyer. “When you have the least leverage possible, success is that you know it, and you live to fight another day. What I try to do is plan ahead for compromises that seem bigger than they really are.”

Top Seven Masterclass Takeaways

• Set your sights on being bought -- not sold.
• Develop strategic relationships with likely buyers years ahead of when they actually might buy.
• Get on the radar screen by proactively broadcasting your message and demonstrating your expertise and viability.
• Support your own team's growth so you can show buyers that you’ve got people who are ready to take the reins.
• Always behave as if you’re open to discussions with potential buyers, even if you’re not emotionally ready to sell.
• Before due diligence starts, make sure your entire senior team has rehearsed the message.
• Prepare to make compromises at the end stages of the deal -- the smaller the better.

Listen to Victor’s insights, advice, and strategies to help prepare for your own successful merger or acquisition.

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