Growing businesses with large, accessible markets attract premium offers from buyers. In the current economic downturn, this is becoming even more evident in our role as business exit consultants. Buyers are naturally attracted to fast-growing businesses, eager to take advantage of the benefits they provide.
In this post, we look at the main signs of a rapidly growing business, the factors that attract buyers to these companies, and the three sectors in which companies are changing hands for big rewards.
Buyers rarely buy at the top of the market
In our experience, buyers are hardly ever interested in buying when a business has reached peak performance. Where is the growth or profit challenge in a company that has achieved – and possibly passed – its full potential?
Buyers are looking for the next big opportunity. This is what excites them. If you are planning to sell your business, understanding the mindset of a buyer is crucial. Fast-growth businesses are attractive to both individuals and competitors in the market. Acquisition could be as viable as selling out.
Take Wild Cosmetics. In spring 2025, global giant Unilever acquired the eco-friendly personal care business, which was only founded in 2019. The start-up achieved sales of almost £15m in 2024 and was valued at £230m before the acquisition. For Unilever, adding Wild to their product portfolio represents major growth. For the Wild team – who have stayed on to run the business – Unilever’s distribution network will take Wild products into new markets faster than they ever could on their own.
What are the signs of a fast-growing business?
When a business is growing at pace, it tends to experience:
- High demand:
products and services are in such high demand, you might have to scale up production or grow your team to meet customer expectations. - Growing customer base:
as a result of increased demand, your customer base is expanding. - Brand name popularity:
happy customers do your marketing for you through word of mouth and recommendation, meaning you may not need to invest so heavily in marketing. - Increase in market share:
new customers, growing demand and popularity combine to take market share from competitors. - Consistent growth:
this is no flash in the pan – you’re experiencing constant growth in every area of the business.
These factors are a huge attraction for buyers, and positive indicators of a profitable future – under the right ownership. Businesses presenting these indicators of success can command a premium price when they go to the open market.
Why do buyers see value in fast-growing businesses?
Buyers prefer to acquire growing businesses for a number of reasons. In the current slow growth economy high-growth businesses represent a less risky investment than one that might be struggling. Here are a few more reasons why fast-growth is such a valuable and attractive business proposition.
- Less labour-intensive:
the stressful, time-consuming task of launching the business and getting the brand noticed has been done. - Market potential:
fast-growth shows rising popularity, but a new owner would still have plenty of the market to attack. - Strong return on investment:
much of the value of a growing business is in the prospect of future profits. - Higher future sales value:
those future returns could be even stronger should the new owner expand and choose to sell the business on. - Potential growth opportunities:
a buyer might be interested in expanding operations and reach, taking a greater share of the market, or moving into bigger/new sectors. The purchase might fill a missing piece in their current business puzzle. - Healthy cash flow:
consistent, thriving sales equal good recurring cash flow, which always represents value in a buyer’s eyes.
Sectors where growth is strongest
There are three sectors in which companies are growing rapidly right now: technology, engineering and manufacturing. Unilever’s acquisition of Wild Cosmetics is a prime example in the retail manufacturing sector.
Technology companies (think AI software, apps, cybersecurity), especially young start-ups, harbour untapped innovation potential. This makes them incredibly attractive to buyers. Acquiring a business that is about to disrupt the market is exciting. Buyers may also be looking to harness cutting-edge technology and gain a competitive edge through acquisition.
A great example is Strava buying the Runna app earlier this year. Founded just four years ago, the London based start-up sold to Strava, who say it will add to their own app’s functionality as well as add value to their customers.
Several UK engineering companies were bought out in 2025. These included fast-growing businesses in the mechanical and electrical sector as well as metal fabrication, infrastructure and niche businesses.
Selling your fast-growing business might be the sensible choice
Selling during a high-growth period isn’t right for every business, but sometimes we meet business owners who never set out to achieve so much success so quickly. When owners find themselves in these situations, it can feel overwhelming. You might never have anticipated this level of success and feel ever so slightly out of your depth.
If the thought of expanding into new sectors or exporting overseas doesn’t fill you with excitement, perhaps you have taken your company as far as you can. Selling your business to a buyer who’s experienced in growth and expansion might be the best thing you can do to preserve its future success.
Plan your exit with an experienced consultant
Not every business is fast-growing, however the principles of achieving growth before exit still apply. Building value in your business in preparation to sell can help you achieve a more profitable outcome in the long-term. Focusing on improvements in specific areas could lead to rapid growth, attracting your ideal buyer who can take it to the next level.
Uscita exit consultants have supported and advised on many sales of fast-growing SMEs in the technology, manufacturing and engineering sectors. Take a look at our case studies for some recent examples. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, book a discovery call with one of our team
