Capital raise · B2B Services

Independent Sponsor Economics Counsel for B2B Services Acquisitions

Structuring Independent Sponsor Economics on B2B services deals, with the structure protection and capital connectivity an independent sponsor actually needs.

EV range $8M to $90M EV EBITDA $2M to $18M Audience Independent Sponsor
The deal context

Independent Sponsor Economics on B2B services deals is one of those workstreams that looks routine on a checklist and decides outcomes in practice.

The typical B2B services platform sits at $8M to $90M EV with EBITDA in the $2M to $18M range. The thesis runs on recurring revenue service platform with bolt-on operators. Most B2B services deals look better in the CIM than in the data room. Skip the CIM, ask for the contracts.

The moves

How Independent Sponsor Economics actually gets structured.

  1. Anchor on 20 to 25 percent carry above an 8 percent preferred return, with a 50/50 catch-up.

  2. Set the management fee at 2 percent of invested capital, capped at three years.

  3. Charge a transaction fee of 2 to 3 percent at close, with a clear LP-approval ceiling.

  4. Document the waterfall in the LPA, not in a side letter.

  5. In B2B services, layer in MSA assignability mapped customer-by-customer as part of the Independent Sponsor Economics workstream.

The common mistake

Negotiating economics with the LP only after the LOI is signed. By then, the leverage is gone.

Jason's take
"If you are an independent sponsor, your economics are your firm. Defend them in the LPA, not in conversation."
Jason Powell · Independent Sponsor Economics
Capital after close

The deal is one thing. The capital that opens up after close is another.

Most independent sponsors solve the closing capital and then run into the post-close capital problem alone. The capital markets relationships that matter at month 18 are part of this practice.

MONTH 18
Senior refi
MONTH 24
Dividend recap
MONTH 36
Growth equity
YEAR 4–5
Strategic exit
WORK WITH JASON

Bring the B2B services deal. Get Independent Sponsor Economics done right.

Direct counsel from a securities and M&A attorney with billions in structured transactions, the independent-sponsor-native playbook, and the capital markets network that opens up post-close.