Assess whether earnout definitions will cause a post-close fight (725455)
August 31, 2026 · SmartSolo
Situation
Related-party revenue that disappears at close arrived with an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary for carve-out separation lead. That is a M&A Due Diligence Separation and Integration decision on earnout definitions will cause in a PE platform evaluating a founder-led SaaS add-on.
Decision
Carve-out separation lead in a PE platform evaluating a founder-led SaaS add-on must choose Proceed / Reprice / Walk / Hold using related-party revenue that disappears at close after an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary.
Hypotheses to test
- Authorize Proceed now; related-party revenue that disappears at close already has the discriminator after an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary.
- Keep Reprice in force until related-party revenue that disappears at close is completed after an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary for carve-out separation lead.
- Treat related-party revenue that disappears at close as Walk because both readings appear after an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary.
- Refuse a M&A Due Diligence close: carve-out separation lead does not have the page earnout definitions will cause turns on in related-party revenue that disappears at close.
Analysis required
- Map reps, earnout mechanics, and integration risk a PE platform evaluating a founder-led SaaS add-on would inherit.
- Tie quality-of-earnings, working-capital, and contingent items in related-party revenue that disappears at close to earnout definitions will cause.
- Name the document carve-out separation lead still needs before signing.
- For this M&A Due Diligence Separation and Integration file, read related-party revenue that disappears at close against an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary and write the one fact that would move earnout definitions will cause for carve-out separation lead.
Recommendation
Choose Proceed / Reprice / Walk / Hold on this M&A Due Diligence / Separation and Integration packet (related-party revenue that disappears at close after an earnout based on 'adjusted EBITDA' with no dictionary). The follow-on Separation and Integration action is what carve-out separation lead does next: implement the option, assign an owner, and log the missing fact.
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