What is business succession?

Business takeover is about buying an existing company to run and grow it, rather than starting from scratch as in traditional entrepreneurship. In other words, you "take the wheel" of a vehicle that's already running, rather than building one from scratch in your garage.

🧠 The advantages

Huge time savings

You start with clients, a brand, employees and a structure already in place.

Less risk

You know the financial history, the profitability, the current contracts — in short, fewer grey areas than a start-up.

Easier access to financing

Banks and investors like to finance a company that already has revenue and a solid track record.

Potential for rapid improvement

A good buyer quickly identifies weaknesses (poor management, lack of automation, tax inefficiency, etc.) and creates value in a short time.

👉 For example, implementing AI accounting tools or automating invoicing could double the margin without increasing sales.

⚠️ The challenges

The price and the financing

You need to assess the true value of the business (not just what the seller says 😅). The financing options can combine personal investment, bank loans, and seller financing.

Human integration

Taking over a team, a culture and sometimes a charismatic founder is an art in itself.

Due diligence

Thoroughly audit the financial, legal, tax, and operational aspects before signing.

💼 The modern takeover

Today, we increasingly hear about the investor-buyer: someone who acquires several companies in the same sector (often under the same group). It's a roll-up strategy — like what private equity funds do in accounting firms, clinics, or professional services firms.

👉 A concrete example for you: Take over 3 or 4 small, local accounting firms, merge them under MTLAF, standardize processes, introduce AI automation, and create a strong regional brand. This is literally smart business acquisition combined with a scale-up vision.