# Horizon vs. an M&A advisor: which is right for you? · Horizon

Canonical: https://withhorizon.co/compare/exit-horizon-vs-investment-bank

[Why Horizon](/why-horizon)[Compare](/why-horizon#compare)an M&A advisor

Comparison · Sale process

# Horizon vs. an M&A advisor

The short answer

An M&A advisor runs the sale process. Horizon works earlier: we grow what the company is worth before you go to market, then run or support the process with an M&A lead so you sell for more, on your terms.

## Side by side

An M&A advisorHorizon

When they startWhen you are ready to sellYears before a sale, or right now

Value buildingLimited to positioningThe core of the work

Deal teamBankersPartner, M&A lead, legal, tax and wealth advisors

If you don’t sellEngagement endsYour company is still worth more

Company sizeOften larger deals$2M to $100M companies

An M&A advisor: An advisor or bank that runs the sale of a larger company, finds buyers and negotiates, usually for a success fee.

## Which is right for you?

Choose an M&A advisor if

You are ready to go to market now with a buyer-ready company.

Choose Horizon if

You want to raise the price before a sale, or want one team from first number to closing.

Can you use both?

Yes. We often prepare owners, then work alongside the banker on the process.

## Common questions

### Do you work with investment banks?

Yes. We often prepare the company and then work alongside the banker running the process.

### Why start before I hire a banker?

Most value is lost to issues that were fixable a few years earlier. Fixing them first raises what buyers will pay.

More comparisons

[vs. EOS](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-eos)[vs. Strategic Coach](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-strategic-coach)[vs. Vistage](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-vistage)[vs. Scaling Up](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-scaling-up)[vs. Value Builder](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-value-builder)[vs. a business broker](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-business-broker)[vs. a fractional CFO](/compare/exit-horizon-vs-fractional-cfo)

Descriptions of other programs and firms are general and based on their public materials as of September 2026. All trademarks belong to their owners. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any firm named here.

## Start with what it’s worth.

Whatever else you use, the Value Baseline tells you where your business stands today and the moves that raise it.

[Book a discovery call →](/discovery-call)