Optionality

Optionality is evolving the M&A world, with generative AI at the center of this transformation. 🤖 Aimée Look from The Logic recently wrote an amazing deep dive into how tools like Optionality are helping dealmakers tackle the biggest challenges—speed, efficiency, and accuracy—while navigating risks like data privacy and cybersecurity. I had the privilege of contributing to this piece, sharing insights on why the industry is ready for disruption and how AI can empower advisors rather than replace them. As I shared with Aimée, “It’s about supercharging rather than replacing.” M&A is highly manual and repetitive, and there’s a huge opportunity to transform the industry. From synthetic data models to smarter due diligence, AI is redefining what’s possible in deal-making. As KPMG’s Stephen Charko noted, “Speed is an advantage in competitive markets.” AI enables faster due diligence, smarter financial modeling, and preemptive bids—giving both buyers and sellers confidence to move forward. You have to subscribe to The Logic to read the article, but trust me—if you’re in the M&A space or curious about how AI is shaping high-stakes industries, this is a must-read. Check it out and let me know your thoughts (link in the comments)!

Thank you, Gabriel Tremblay, for sharing your journey to selling your cybersecurity SaaS. If you’re curious about his journey, read here. 👇

What’s really happening with business transfers in North America? For years, advisors have been hearing about the anticipated wave of business transitions. But here’s the reality… Not all of these businesses will actually go through an M&A process. Why? Because only businesses of a certain size and structure are positioned to sell through a formal transfer process. Here’s what often happens instead: ✅ Internal Transfers: Many businesses transition through family succession or MBOs. ✅ Closures: Sadly, a significant number of businesses simply close their doors due to lack of a viable sale option. ✅ Valuation Gaps: Smaller businesses frequently face challenges when it comes to valuation. Entrepreneurs often realize they’d make more money keeping their businesses for a few more years rather than selling. When founders approach advisors, their first question is often: “How much is my business worth?” It’s a tough question, with variables like size, industry, and market conditions impacting the answer. For smaller businesses, however, the valuation sometimes falls short of expectations, which can lead owners to reconsider selling altogether. As advisors, it's crucial to handle these conversations with care and help entrepreneurs understand their options. Not every business is ready for market — but those that are, can be positioned for successful transitions with the right guidance. What trends are you seeing in your market? Let me know in the comments below! 👇

A sincere thank you to M&A Club Canada for the opportunity to sponsor and participate in last week’s M&A Forum. It was an honor to engage with so many talented M&A professionals and share how Optionality is driving a new era of efficiency and insight in our industry. Our discussions centered on solving key challenges: accelerating valuations, streamlining pitch creation, and enhancing deal execution—all powered by our Generative AI platform tailored for M&A advisors. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Advisors shared their eagerness for innovative solutions that reduce manual work and enable them to focus on creating strategic value for their clients. This feedback fuels our mission to lead the transformation of the M&A landscape with smarter, faster, and more adaptable tools. If we didn’t connect at the event, I’d welcome the chance to demonstrate how Optionality can empower your practice and drive exceptional results for your clients. Feel free to send me a message—let’s discuss how we can support your goals. Here’s to shaping the future of M&A together. 🥂

One of the most valuable pieces of advice you can offer your clients is this: Encourage them to start working with you well before they receive a letter of intent (LOI). If selling their business is on the horizon within the next 2 to 3 years, now is the ideal time to start those conversations. Why? You can help your clients avoid costly mistakes, negotiate a stronger LOI, and ultimately secure a higher multiple. You’ll guide them through the complexities of preparing their business for sale, ensuring that when the time comes, they’re in the best possible position to succeed. By starting these conversations early, your clients will be better prepared to navigate the process confidently and maximize the value of their business when it’s time to make a deal. Want to learn more about how Optionality can support you in helping your clients? 👉 Start here: https://optionality.ai/

Strategic or financial buyer… which is the best for your client’s business? 🤔 Guiding your clients to the right buyer is key to a successful transaction. 🔍 Strategic Buyers: These are companies in the same or complementary industries as your client’s business. They often pay a premium because combining forces can unlock synergies—like expanded market share, cost savings, or product integration. 💰 Financial Buyers: These include private equity firms, family offices, and search funds. While they traditionally focus on ROI and growth potential, the current market is highly competitive. Many financial buyers are sitting on excess cash—what we call "pressure on capital"—and are willing to pay more than usual for high-quality businesses. But how do you know which path is best for your client? At Optionality, we help advisors analyze buyer motivations and align them with their clients' goals. Our AI-powered platform generates value creation strategies and provides insights into market dynamics—equipping you with the tools to position your client's business as the “optimal opportunity.” In a competitive market, presenting the right narrative to the right buyers is the key to attracting multiple quality offers and maximizing value. Ready to turn data into actionable insights?  👉 Start here: https://optionality.ai/

When Etienne and the HeyDay team started their deal process, there was one essential goal from the start: "Every metric, every detail about the company needs to be polished." Why?   Because in M&A, storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a powerful strategy. But it’s not about embellishing the facts. It’s about positioning - presenting key data in a way that aligns with your narrative, while staying honest and transparent. It’s about ensuring every piece of information not only represents the company but frames it in the most favourable way possible. Because, ultimately, strong storytelling can be the difference between closing a successful deal and walking away. Do you agree? Share your thoughts below. 👇

We’re looking for a UX Designer based in Montreal, with the option for a part-time or contract position. If you know anyone that might be interested, please comment below!

When I first saw the Optionality platform, I immediately knew it was something special. As an advisor, I’m always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder—and this tool allows me to do that. When Simon asked me, “Is this something you’d use in your day-to-day work as an advisor?” My answer was a resounding yes. Not only did I see the value, but the usability blew me away. I knew right away I wanted to help shape its roadmap and bring it to more advisors like me. Here’s what stood out: Advisors spend hours sifting through past transactions, comparables, industry stats, and more. It’s time-consuming work that takes us away from high-value strategic thinking. But Optionality is changing the game. With just one click, you can start: ✅ Generating summary valuations, comparables, industry insights, and benchmark analysis ✅ Finding the most suitable acquirers and acquisition targets ✅ Creating pitchbooks, teasers, CIM’s and other deal documents For advisors who want simplicity, speed, and scalability, Optionality isn’t just a tool—it’s a competitive advantage. If you’re ready to see what it can do for you, I highly recommend giving it a try. 👉 Start here: https://optionality.ai/