Clearly Acquired Blog

Expert insights, funding strategies, and practical guidance for securing capital, financing growth, and navigating business acquisitions. Whether you're raising capital for expansion, restructuring debt, or exploring your first acquisition, our blog provides the knowledge and resources to help you succeed.

Growth
June 25, 2025

Ultimate Guide to DSCR in LBOs

Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is a key metric in leveraged buyouts (LBOs), measuring a company’s ability to cover its debt payments using operational cash flow. It’s calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by total debt service, with most lenders requiring a minimum of 1.25x—though 2.0x is preferred. Strong DSCR not only secures better loan terms but also ensures post-acquisition stability, making it essential for structuring, stress-testing, and managing LBO debt effectively.

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Growth
June 25, 2025

Equipment Loans, LOCs, and Working Capital: A Business Owner’s Financing Toolkit

Equipment loans, lines of credit, and working capital financing each serve a unique role in a business owner’s financial toolkit. Equipment loans are ideal for acquiring long-term assets like machinery or vehicles, with fixed payments secured by the asset itself. Lines of credit offer flexible, revolving access to capital for short-term needs, while working capital financing helps fund daily operations or growth initiatives without tying up assets. Choose based on your business’s cash flow, purpose, and repayment ability.

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Growth
June 24, 2025

Crowdfunding for Business Acquisitions: How It Works

Crowdfunding offers business buyers a creative way to finance acquisitions by raising small contributions from many supporters through online platforms. With flexible models like equity, debt, or revenue-based financing, it’s ideal for buyers with strong networks and compelling business plans. While it can bypass traditional lending barriers, success requires careful planning, clear communication, and regulatory compliance.

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Growth
June 24, 2025

Working Capital Loans for Business Buyers: What Lenders Look For

Working capital loans are essential for business buyers looking to stabilize operations after an acquisition by covering everyday expenses like payroll, rent, and inventory. Lenders evaluate your credit score, business cash flow, collateral, and the industry’s risk level before approving financing. Buyers can improve their chances by preparing strong financial documentation, researching loan types (like SBA loans, lines of credit, or invoice factoring), and using platforms like Clearly Acquired to streamline funding, advisory, and deal support.

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Growth
June 23, 2025

Why Real Estate Investors Are Moving Into Main Street Business Investments

Real estate investors are increasingly shifting into Main Street business acquisitions for higher cash flow and more operational upside. Unlike real estate deals where investors often hold the majority, in small business deals the operator usually holds control — making fund structure, operating agreements, and sponsor oversight critical to protecting capital. That’s why smart investors are backing experienced fund managers who support operators and can step in if things go sideways.

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Growth
June 23, 2025

SBA Loans vs. Working Capital Loans: What’s the Difference?

SBA loans and working capital loans serve different business needs: SBA loans are ideal for long-term investments like real estate or acquisitions, offering lower interest rates and extended repayment terms, but with a slower approval process and stricter requirements. In contrast, working capital loans are designed for short-term cash flow needs, with faster access to funds and more flexible qualifications, though they typically come with higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms. Choosing the right option depends on your timeline, credit profile, and whether you're funding growth or managing day-to-day operations.

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Growth
June 23, 2025

Fast Funding: The Pros and Cons of Online Working Capital Loans

Online working capital loans offer speed and convenience, with funding often available within 1–3 days and minimal paperwork required. However, they typically come with higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms—like daily or weekly payments—which can strain cash flow. They’re ideal for businesses needing fast access to cash and willing to pay a premium for it, but traditional loans may be better for those seeking lower costs and longer repayment flexibility.

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Growth
June 23, 2025

How to Structure a Working Capital Loan for Seasonal Businesses

Seasonal businesses must align working capital loan structures with their revenue cycles to maintain financial stability during slow months. This means forecasting cash flow needs, choosing flexible options like revolving credit lines or SBA Seasonal CAPLines, and negotiating terms such as interest-only payments during off-peak periods. Proper planning, organized financial records, and early application—ideally 2–3 months before the busy season—are key to securing the right financing.

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Growth
June 21, 2025

The Working Capital Loan Trap: What Borrowers Overlook Until It’s Too Late

Working capital loans can quickly solve cash flow issues, but borrowers often overlook hidden traps like steep fees, confusing interest structures, and rigid repayment terms. Daily payments, collateral risks, and predatory lender practices can put your business—and personal assets—in jeopardy. To avoid these pitfalls, analyze the full loan terms (not just the rate), test repayment against your cash flow, and use tools like Clearly Acquired to make smarter, safer funding decisions.

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Growth
June 20, 2025

Ultimate Guide to SBA Loan Credit and Background Checks

The SBA loan approval process hinges on strong credit, full transparency, and thorough documentation. Lenders evaluate both personal and business credit, along with SBA background checks using Forms 1919 and 912. A solid cash flow, complete paperwork, and honest disclosures—especially regarding past financial or legal issues—are critical to increasing your approval odds.

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Growth
June 19, 2025

How to Retain Key Accounts Post-Acquisition

Retaining key accounts after an acquisition requires clear, early communication, proactive support, and a personalized customer experience. Assign dedicated account managers, use customer data to tailor interactions, and address concerns like pricing or service continuity head-on. Reinforce loyalty with targeted programs, multi-channel support, and regular feedback loops—because keeping existing customers is far more profitable than acquiring new ones.

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Growth
June 17, 2025

How to Craft a Business Story for Buyers

Crafting a compelling business story is critical to attracting the right buyer and securing a successful exit. The best narratives combine your company’s origin, growth, and vision with clear financial data, tailored to resonate with the specific motivations of different buyer types—individuals, private equity, strategic acquirers, or internal successors. A great story positions the buyer as the hero and your business as the opportunity for transformation.

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Acquire Quality. Fund Growth. Close with Confidence.

As an AI-driven Business Acquisition Marketplace and Financing Platform, we are on a mission to simplify and accelerate the MainStreet to MidStreet lending and acquisition ecosystem.

We specialize in technology that supports price discovery, identity verification and financial qualification, and buy-side tools to help searchers source and manage deal flow, make offers, secure lending/financing solutions, and close with confidence.

illustration of team with digital platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions by users that are looking to buy businesses on Clearly Acquired:

How can I show business owners I'm a legitimate buyer and that I'm interested?

With a Clearly Verified account, you can instill confidence in other users, brokers and sellers that you are, who you say you are, when you "verify" your identify.  This is the key to instilling confidence in the users on the platform,  gaining traction and getting instant access to financials, supporting data and insight to quickly move to making an offer or moving on.   This will save you months of wasted time and expedite the closing of a sale.

How are my finances verified?

Using financial technology the Clearly Acquired Platform safely and securely verifies your finances, to help sellers understand your closing capability and help lenders expedite your financing. Additionally, the buy-side deal room will help you get your documentation in order, to prepare you for the debt and equity financing you will need to close your acquisition.

Can I get in touch with advisors to help support me in this process?

The Clearly Acquired team is here to support you on your business acquisition or business sale journey. That said, the platform is designed to connect you with a community of users, who are identify verified, which include: investors, lenders, advisors, brokers, consultants, and other buyers who are looking for partners.  

What is a Deal Hub?

The Deal Hub is the central repository for all transaction-related activities on our business acquisition platform. It serves as a secure and organized space where buyers and sellers can access critical information and manage the entire acquisition process efficiently. The Deal Hub is divided into two main components: the Data Room and the Deal Rooms.

Data Room: The Data Room is a secure, virtual storage space where sellers can upload and share essential documents related to their business. This includes financial statements, legal contracts, operational reports, and other due diligence materials. Buyers can access these documents to conduct thorough evaluations and make informed decisions. The Data Room ensures that all sensitive information is protected and only accessible to authorized parties.

Deal Rooms: The Deal Rooms are dedicated spaces for each business listing where buyers and sellers can collaborate and negotiate terms. Each Deal Room is equipped with tools for real-time communication, document sharing, and tracking the progress of the deal. This streamlined environment facilitates transparent and efficient interactions, helping to expedite the acquisition process and ensuring that both parties are aligned at every stage.

The Deal Hub's comprehensive and secure infrastructure simplifies the complexities of business acquisitions, providing a seamless experience for all users involved.

What is Plaid?

Plaid is a financial technology company that provides a secure and seamless way to connect and interact with financial institutions. It enables applications to access users' financial data with their consent, facilitating a wide range of services such as identity verification, account authentication, and transaction history retrieval. Plaid's robust API infrastructure ensures high security, reliability, and compliance with regulatory standards.

By integrating Plaid, Clearly Acquired can offer a secure, efficient, and reliable method for identity verification, building trust among users and ensuring the integrity of the acquisition process.

I am new to the idea of business acquisition, where can I get more information on how to get started?

Make sure to check out our Educational Course on Business Acquisition that is offered in our paid plans for buyers: From Purchase to Profit: Mastering the Art of Business Acquisition.

This Membership Course for buyers is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the business acquisition process successfully. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced entrepreneur, our course equips you with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions and achieve your acquisition goals. Join us and embark on your journey to buying a business with Clearly Acquired.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Create Your Account. Get Verified. Start Searching.

1

Create an account

Every day, lenders, investors, brokers, and sellers come to Clearly Acquired looking for qualified operators like you. Creating an account and getting verified helps you stand out and build trust.

2

Build your profile

Build your profile to get matched with capital and opportunities. Showcase your expertise and resume, to connect with the right capital and acquisition partners—making every opportunity count.

3

Search & Connect

Browse Verified listings, source off-market deals, & manage deal flow with powerful tools to underwrite opportunities, and connect with capital to streamline the entire acquisition and funding process

Join the Clearly Acquired Search Community

Create Your Profile & Get Verified for Free