The authoritative guide to buying and selling a business in Chicago. Explore the M&A due diligence timeline and Clearway Advisory’s operator-led closing process.
Your buyer-side journey with Clearway—from first fit through handover.
We analyze your risk profile to match you with assets that fit your portfolio goals.
Gain access to detailed P&Ls and operational audits. We provide the 'unfiltered' view of every business.
We help negotiate terms: seller financing, training periods, and non-compete agreements.
Post-close, we provide a 30-day roadmap to ensure systems transition seamlessly under your ownership.
Whether you are buying or selling, most middle-market deals follow a predictable business brokerage workflow. Timelines vary by industry and size; your advisor sets expectations up front.
Illustrative total: ~3–5 months from NDA to close (varies by industry and buyer).
Step 1 of 5
Align on fit and share confidential materials under NDA.
Buyer and seller align on basics; confidential materials shared under NDA.
Prepare a tight one-page executive summary before first serious buyer conversations—it speeds screening and signals professionalism.
Every transaction is protected by our proprietary audit framework.
3-year tax return reconciliation and EBITDA normalization.
Evaluating staff dependency and system scalability.
Verification of licenses, permits, and EB-5 eligibility markers.
Browse our current selection of vetted businesses.
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