Search Funds and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

From search fund formation and structuring to acquisitions and exits, the industry-leading team at Paul Hastings provides exceptional guidance for founders and CEOs on the intricacies of each phase in the search fund journey. With broad experience representing searchers, we have guided hundreds in forming their search funds and acquiring their businesses, helping aspiring entrepreneurs fully utilize this unique investment vehicle.

How We Can Help

• Search Fund Formation and Structuring: Our entrepreneur clients gain a genuine edge in the market with our broad knowledge of and relationships with investors. Instead of only providing investors with legal services, we act as their business advisers, enabling us to link searchers with the right investors to secure the necessary capital to close their search funds. We also advise domestic and international searchers on fund formation, structuring and compliance with government regulations.

• Acquisitions: Our team’s extensive knowledge of investors and sellers — and their return and risk profiles — is a distinct advantage for searchers and search funds as they evaluate and complete domestic and international acquisitions across industries. Our broad experience helps clients close initial and follow-on acquisitions smoothly while also maximizing value for themselves and their investors. We have the additional benefit of collaborating with our world-renowned team of practitioners in debt finance, tax, executive compensation, intellectual property, technology transactions, data privacy, healthcare and antitrust, so we can navigate the wide array of complex issues that may arise during the acquisition process.

• Operational Support: After completing the acquisition, our transaction team — with the added knowledge of colleagues across our various industry groups — assists management and boards of directors with growing their acquired companies and maximizing returns. Our extensive search fund experience benefits clients when we act as company counsel — providing guidance on daily operations and tricky legal issues — and represent boards in negotiating and closing significant transactions to drive company growth. Our unique blend of practical experience, business insight and legal knowledge equips us to handle all challenges our clients may face.

• Exit Transactions: When the searcher and investors are ready to consider exit options, our team’s broad experience guides us in representing them throughout sales, divestitures, mergers and initial public offerings. We have the exceptional market insight, knowledge and skills to manage every facet of the exit process and achieve the best results for our clients.