Find companies likely to sell.
Inven’s Intent Signals help you spot companies that are more likely to sell than others, ripe for acquisition or investment by highlighting key signs of upcoming change. Get ahead of the curve, uncover hidden opportunities, and move first—before your competitors do.
Our Intent filters are built specifically for those looking for off-market deals or acquisition targets.
If you’re not using them, you’re missing out! Here's how to use them and how they work:
Three Powerful Signals in This Filter:
- Nearing Retirement: Target companies where owners or founders are approaching retirement age and may be considering a sale.
- Long-Held by Private Equity: Identify companies held in private equity portfolios for an extended period, signaling a possible exit strategy.
- Likely to Raise Funding: Discover high-growth companies that might be seeking new investment.
1. 🔍 How to Find Businesses for Sale by Retiring Owners
With 5 million business owners set to retire in the next 5 years, Inven allows you to filter for companies likely seeking a generational handover. This is often the ideal time to reach out.
"The Intent to Sell signal gives that additional context about both the company and the decision maker. This allows you to prioritize which companies make the most sense to reach out—not just based on the company's characteristics, but also on the founder's current situation."
Step 1: Choose Your Signal
Select the Intent Signal that aligns with your goals—e.g., “Find companies likely to face an upcoming generational handover.”
Step 2: Refine Your Search
Use filters such as industry, location, and company size to narrow your list.
Step 3: Explore & Analyze
Browse the list of matches and dive into company profiles. In particular:
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Visit the People section to review founder tenure and background.
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Check out their LinkedIn profiles for more personal context.
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Save promising companies and export your list with contact data to begin outreach.
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Here's a short video on how to find businesses ready to sell:
2. 🏢 Find companies that have been held in PE portfolios for years
Private equity firms typically aim to sell their portfolio companies within 3–7 years. Spot these opportunities just before they hit the market!
3. 🚀 Predict Future Funding Rounds
This Intent Signal makes it effortless to identify high-potential companies ready to take the next step. Here's how it works:
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Targeted Discovery: The new Intent Signal focuses on companies that completed a funding round 10-30 months ago but have seen no M&A or subsequent funding activity since.
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Promising Growth: This feature shows only businesses that have achieved at least 20% headcount growth in the past year.
- Instant Insights: After identifying potential companies, gain insights into businesses likely gearing up for their next move, including financial data and revenue estimates.
How the Intent to Sell signals work
1. Search for companies in your desired niche.
2. Activate the Intent to Sell signal.
3. Get a list of companies that are more likely to sell.
4. Save the best matches and share them with your team.
5. Access the owner’s contact details and get in touch!