Sell-side

Sell-side refers to advisory work performed on behalf of a company or its owners who are selling, raising capital, or otherwise seeking a transaction.

On the sell-side, the advisor's job is to run a disciplined process that maximizes value and certainty for the client. That involves building the teaser and CIM, assembling a buyer list, managing the NDA workflow, and steering competitive tension toward a close.

It is the mirror image of the buy-side, where the advisor represents the acquirer. Most boutique M&A advisors do both, but sell-side mandates tend to be where marketing materials and process presentation earn their keep — the reason deal marketing has moved onto the web at all.