Capital raise · Cybersecurity Services

Independent Sponsor Economics Counsel for Cybersecurity Services Acquisitions

When the deal is cybersecurity services and the question is Independent Sponsor Economics, the structure decisions in the first 30 days outlast the next five years. This is where Jason Powell works.

EV range $10M to $130M EV EBITDA $2.5M to $22M Audience Independent Sponsor
The deal context

Cybersecurity Services deals in the lower middle market run a specific playbook. Independent Sponsor Economics is where the structure either holds or starts to leak.

The typical cybersecurity services platform sits at $10M to $130M EV with EBITDA in the $2.5M to $22M range. The thesis runs on MSSP or specialty consulting platform. Cleared workforce is the moat. Cleared workforce can also be the deal-killer in CFIUS reviews.

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 cybersecurity services, layer in FSO succession plan in place 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.

The capital that opens up post-close, from refinancing to growth equity to strategic exit, runs through a small set of Wall Street relationships. That network is built in.

MONTH 18
Senior refi
MONTH 24
Dividend recap
MONTH 36
Growth equity
YEAR 4–5
Strategic exit
ENGAGE THE PRACTICE

Independent Sponsor Economics for Cybersecurity Services, on independent sponsor terms.

Independent sponsor counsel that already speaks fluent deal-by-deal economics, structures clean LPAs, and travels with capital markets relationships for what comes after close.