Testimonials
Our customers love working with us, here are a few of their testimonials.
Autism Group
Cliff is nothing short of brilliant! At first, I was overwhelmed when we began talking with Cliff. I couldn’t believe how much information was being requested, how many reports, financial data and spreadsheets my partner and I had to create.
I quickly learned that to keep Cliff happy, I was to keep using the same email thread when discussing a particular topic instead of starting a new email chain. I learned to appreciate the fact that Cliff’s attention to detail precision was critical in the financial representation of our company. In fact, it was contagious. Over time, I began to enjoy his requests for information and looked forward to his emails and calls.
Cliff recommended that when tasks became daunting, while also running the business full time, that we should knock out the hard things first and get them out of the way, then focus on the easier tasks. I did that, and he was right. His advice was instrumental in the due diligence process. The team had us so prepared ahead of time that by the time we had reached due diligence, we had already done most of the work.
The dedication, commitment, and loyalty demonstrated from the beginning of the acquisition process through closing not only made me feel like we were their only client, who we were not, but also made me feel like they had become a part of our company’s family. They couldn’t have found a better buyer for us.
-Beth
National Medical Device Company
As an owner of a national medical device company, I thought I was being prudent when I engaged a firm that advertised themselves as the “top business brokers in Indianapolis”. Eighteen months later I was very frustrated and discouraged by the lack of valid offers for my company. I was lamenting my plight to a friend of mine and he said “I know an M&A professional that can sell your company”.
I brought in Cliff Gardner and assigned him full and complete responsibility to sell my company. Given that I had signed a broker’s listing agreement with a tail (obligation to pay the broker their fees after the broker listing agreement expired and the broker failed to sell my company). I still had to pay the broker their contractual fee even though Cliff took over and conducted the entire sale on my behalf.
The immediate difference in focus, intensity and results was amazing after wasting 18 months with our broker not accomplishing anything. Cliff is a no nonsense driven professional who earns the respect of everyone involved in the transaction from our company employees to the buyers’ acquisition team.
I can tell you that he had our best interests in focus throughout the entire process. He has a refuse to lose mentality. He told me the first time that I met him that he will always be the most informed and prepared person in the room.
We sold to a large multi-national company and Cliff ensured that we were very strongly represented due to all of his Fortune 500 experience. He championed the value of our company rigorously and relentlessly while maintaining a professional decorum at all times.
Cliff not only changed my ability to sell my company but he changed the rest of my life. I received a very fair price for my company and I now consider Cliff to be a great friend.
- Ted
Technology Partner on 165,000,000 Parts eCommerce Platform Build and Sale
To say it was an adventure being Cliff’s business partner would be a significant understatement. When Cliff says “let’s go” he has already moved forward. We decided that we would strive to build the largest OEM auto parts eCommerce platform ever created. The next thing I know Cliff is walking into dealerships where he does not know a single person and he is asking them to fund our parts eCommerce platform. The next thing I know it is funded and he says “let’s go”. I took over and leased three billion data elements and built a comprehensive site with 165,000,000 parts applications. Our sentinel moment was when Google scanned and approved 55,000,000 pages of our website with zero errors. We envisioned – funded – launched – perfected - operated this mammoth site with 39 brands of parts on it.
Then we came to the realization that it would be much more valuable if operated by a leading auto dealer group. Cliff said “let’s sell it to one of the top five dealership groups in the US”. I didn’t even wait for the “let’s go” that time. Cliff was relentless in his pursuit of a buyer. He walks in one day and says “I have our buyer…it is AutoNation, the largest dealership group in the US”. It was Cliff versus a 20-billion-dollar auto empire and I was confident that Cliff could pull this off. He did and little did either of us know at the time that this would become the genesis of Cliff helping other business owners sell their companies for a fair value.
- Gary
Buyer - 60,000 Home Health Visit Therapy Company
Over the years I have worked with many business advisors for both Sellers and Buyers. ECP Ventures is one of the best. Recently I acquired a company, which was represented by ECP Ventures. They thoroughly understood their client’s business, conducted a very effective marketing campaign, professionally advised their client during every step of the process, coordinated a detailed and efficient due diligence system, and managed a timely contract negotiation and Closing process. I believe much of the success of the acquisition was a result of ECP Ventures and I look forward to another deal with their involvement.
Rick
Therapy Company Owner 1
I will never forget the first time I spoke to Cliff. I shared with him that we probably did not need his services because we were close to selling our company to a national healthcare company. Cliff’s first question was “why are you selling your company for less than half price?” We had an offer for $2,400,000. Cliff offered (at no charge) to do a technical review and redline of the unsolicited LOI that we had at that time. We then submitted Cliff’s redline LOI to our prospective acquirer. The acquirer immediately increased their offer to $4,000,000. We immediately saw the value of having a highly experienced Mergers and Acquisitions professional on our side. Cliff encouraged us to pass on the revised $4,000,000 offer and we did. We then engaged Cliff and Eric and they generated interest from 66 buyers.
We put our complete trust in Cliff and Eric and it changed our lives. We ultimately agreed to terms with a high-quality healthcare company for $7,000,000. I am sharing this testimonial to help others understand that you want (and need) the highest quality Mergers and Acquisitions team on your side in order to achieve the maximum value for your company. Cliff and Eric also worked rigorously to negotiate great post-transaction positions for us with our acquirer. We could not have been more pleased.
Jose
Therapy Company Owner 2
I had the pleasure of working with Eric and Cliff at ECP Ventures during the sale of my business, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their guidance and support were instrumental in securing a successful outcome for our sale.
One of the things that impressed me most about Eric and Cliff was their ability to anticipate and address potential issues that could arise during the sale. Performing due diligence in advance ensured that we were thoroughly prepared for the due diligence of the buyers. Their strategic thinking and analytical skills were critical in mitigating potential risks and ensuring a smooth and successful transaction.
Throughout the entire process, Eric and Eric were always available to answer any questions or concerns that I had. Their communication skills were top-notch, and he was able to explain complex terms and concepts in a way that was easy to understand to us as a small business owners. They were patient, professional, and always put my needs first. Eric and Cliff were not just advisors to us during the sale process; we now consider them friends.
Joseph
Therapy Company Owner 3
I cannot express my gratitude enough for ECP Ventures’ outstanding advisory services during the sale of our healthcare company. Eric and Cliff always looked out for our best interests, providing expert guidance and support every step of the way. Their attention to detail and strategic thinking were impressive, and I always felt confident that I was in good hands throughout the entire process.
One of the most remarkable things about working with ECP Ventures was their ability to generate such substantial interest from the marketplace – we ended up with 66 interested buyers for our business. Their expertise in marketing and negotiating allowed us to choose the best offer from a pool of qualified buyers, ultimately resulting in a sale price of nearly 3 times the offer we had received prior to engaging ECP Ventures.
Through every stage of the process, Eric and Cliff kept us informed and updated, answering any questions we had and addressing any concerns. Their professionalism and dedication were apparent from day one, and we never once doubted that they were working tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for us and our business.
This experience has taught me just how critical it is to hire an M&A Advisor when selling a business. The nuances of such a transaction certainly require the expertise and guidance of professionals like Eric and Cliff, who can market the business effectively, navigate negotiations, and ensure that the seller's best interests are always at the forefront.
I highly recommend Eric and Cliff at ECP Ventures to anyone looking to sell their business. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to securing the best possible outcome are unmatched, and I am grateful to have had them as our M&A Advisors.
Martin