Glossary
Unsolicited approach
An expression of interest in acquiring a business that arrives without the owners having sought it, whether from a buyer directly or through an intermediary.
In plain English
Unsolicited approaches are common for distinctive agencies, and they are useful information: someone sees value in the business. They are rarely the only option, and responding to one on its own terms, without understanding value, alternatives or the buyer's intent, tends to favour the buyer.
The right response is usually to acknowledge interest without sharing detail, work out what you want and consider whether a wider process would serve you better.
Why it matters
How a founder handles the first approach shapes the eventual outcome. Advice at this stage costs little and preserves options.
What to watch for
- Do not share financial information before a confidentiality agreement and a clear decision to engage.
- Understand what the business might be worth to other buyers.
- Consider whether the approach signals a wider market appetite worth testing.
Transaction language and legal treatment depend on the agreement and the jurisdiction. Written by Motion Advisory Partners as general guidance, not legal advice.