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Entrepreneurial Buyout Academy

Undertake a successful management buy-out or buy-in

#1

FT ranked logo colour

in Open Executive Education in Belgium and #27 worldwide

468

former participants

4.7/5

for Learning Impact

Do you dream of being manager of your own company – where you can put your entrepreneurial spirit and business knowledge and experience to good use? Taking over an existing company could be the ideal way to make your entrepreneurial dream come true. 

But before you dive in, it’s essential to ask the right questions. This programme gives you exceptional value for money. You’ll live and learn practical approaches – so you have the confidence to make the leap and buy. 

Detailed programme

Our aging population means there are increasing numbers of SMEs in need of capable new owners. If you’re thinking of buying in – or buying out – this programme will give you the skills and frameworks to leap with confidence.

Over seven evening modules, you’ll learn practical approaches that you can implement immediately. And you’ll work on your own buyout case and present it to a panel of bankers, private equity players and entrepreneurs. These seven modules represent the chronological steps that you must take to achieve a successful buy-out or buy-in. 

Module 1: Why buy a company? And how do you find the right company?  

  • Discover the essential questions to ask yourself before you start 
  • Understand where and how to find suitable targets 
  • Explore how to view paperwork critically – including confidentiality (non-disclosure) agreements (NDA) and letters of intent (LOI) 

Module 2: Valuation 

  • Know how much you should pay – and understand different valuation methods 
  • Learn how to build an LBO model to calculate your ROI 
  • Explore the challenges and pitfalls when valuing a target company 

Module 3: Business plan, value creation and due diligence 

  • Learn to play with sources of value creation in the short and long term 
  • Discover the steps in a good due diligence process – and know how to minimise risks 
  • Understand how to deal with legal, financial and fiscal issues 

Module 4: Financing 

  • Learn how to structure the deal  
  • Understand how to optimise financing costs and minimise risks   
  • Discover how to convince banks – and what they pay attention to 
  • Explore the role private equity can play 

Module 5: Transaction 

  • Discover the legal framework for buyouts – and what you need to pay attention to 
  • Learn how to best work with advisors 
  • Explore the safeguards and guarantees to negotiate with the seller 

Module 6: Negotiation techniques

  • Learn essential negotiation techniques for buying a company
  • Understand how to reach a good agreement
  • Discover how to win the seller’s trust

Module 7: Post-transaction

  • Learn to run an SME
  • Know how to install new management and develop a new strategy
  • Discover how to draw up a 100-day plan
  • Explore typical pitfalls

Our partners

Bank Van Breda logo
Van Olmen & Wynant logo
BDO logo

Other guest speakers and experts

Lieven Stas (VD&P), Alexi Vangerven (BDO), Aelbrecht Van Damme (The Harbour), Kristoph Wauters (Bank van Breda) and more.

Why this programme

  • Explore channels for discovering potential targets
  • Know how to value a company – and get a financial return from it
  • Understand the right strategic questions to ask
  • Draw up a business plan for banks or investors
  • Investigate financial options – and understand the paperwork
  • Have a negotiation strategy 
  • Develop an implementation plan  

Who should attend

  • Professionals with considerable management experience who want to undertake a management buy-out or management buy-in 

Faculty

Miguel Meuleman

Miguel Meuleman

Professor of Entrepreneurship

Miguel Meuleman is passionate about the process, people and investors behind new venture ideas.

Mathieu Luypaert

Mathieu Luypaert

Professor of Corporate Finance

Mathieu Luypaert explains how insights into financial figures and decisions can lead to value creation.

Mark Vandecruys

Mark Vandecruys

Entrepreneur in Residence

Chairman at Fedrus International, Mark Vandecruys provides a valuable sounding board for our entrepreneurship students and alumni.

Hans Vanoorbeek

Hans Vanoorbeek

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship

An expert in private equity, Hans Vanoorbeek shares his passion for entrepreneurial buyouts.

Get in touch!