An acquisition is not a daily practice for most entrepreneurs. The motivation varies: accelerated growth through an acquisition instead of organic growth, access to new markets, customers, or technology, strengthening market position, vertical integration, or addressing a succession issue at another company. Finding the right candidate is often a quest in itself, let alone winning the competition with other interested parties. Added to this is the valuation question: what is a target worth stand-alone and what justifies a premium based on synergy? Subsequently, the financing must be secured and the negotiation with sometimes experienced sellers must lead to a successful outcome, with all the legal and tax complications involved.