AI Finance Awards 2018

4 Acquisition International - 2018 International Finance Awards FN180008 Best M&A Advisory Firm - the Netherlands & Corporate Finance Advisor of the Year - the Netherlands Blacktrace B.V. Since its foundation in 2011, Blacktrace has grown to be an established and renown M&A advisory firm in the Netherlands and worldwide. Despite the many changes that the firm has seen in the market over the years, since inception Blacktrace has strongly believed that specialization tops generalization: no person can do everything equally good. The same holds for firms and this belief translates in Blacktrace focusing on a limited number of sectors, which include business services, consumer products, industry, financial services, medical care and TMT. This innovative approach has paid off, and today the firm is attracting shareholder capital and arranging funding with typical transaction values between € 20 and € 200 million. Working within such a small range of niche markets, the firm owes its incredible success to its dedicated team, which consists of experts that all have their own talents and specializations. Combining these in the best possible way has lead Blacktrace to where it stands today. Having a small internal structure of committed, experienced professionals allows the firm to offer its clients an experience focused exclusively on their needs. For every new project, Blacktrace assembles a team of the most suitable professionals by looking at both sector and case- specific characteristics. During the whole process, there are always two team members who are available full-time, with backing from the whole team. The firm’s belief is that complex and vertical structures obstruct the way to creativity and efficient teamwork, and this approach has proven popular with clients, who often praise it as effective and efficient. Thanks to its structure, Blacktrace is flexible and can respond to client wishes faster than a large corporate could. Client centricity is key in the M&A market, and as such the firm offers its clients valuable specialism when needed most. The team at Blacktrace take care of the process from the beginning to end, and are available to our clients on a 24/7 basis, which enables them to respond quickly when necessary and provide clients with the reassurance they need that they are truly in safe hands. Looking ahead, Blacktrace keen to build upon its current success, and as such the firm is always looking for M&A professionals to strengthen the team and aspires to grow to around 20 people in a few years. Drawing on its experience in the market, the firm recognizes that successful cross-border transactions require eyes and ears in places that matter. That is why Blacktrace has increased its efforts to further grow its worldwide network of likeminded M&A boutiques called World M&A Alliance. Its current reach stretches from New York to Delhi and from Milan to São Paulo. WMAA works with preferred partnerships, having one member per country. Members share info and pitch together for deals that need an international project team. Moreover, annual conferences stimulate bi-lateral contacts. As an example, Blacktrace currently works together on a project in the agricultural sector with its Indian partner, and as part of this collaborative approach the firm is able to better support its clients internationally. Ultimately, Blacktrace does not aspire to be the largest corporate full-service firm of the Benelux, but instead wants to stay a specialized boutique advisory firm, upon which clients can build. The firm is flexible, act fast and respond to its client’s wishes faster than larger full-service providers could, and maintaining this nimble structure and retaining its client focus will remain Blacktrace’s ongoing focus as it looks towards a bright and exciting future. Blacktrace is an award-winning, independent merger and acquisition specialist dedicated to providing guidance for medium-sized and large businesses when implementing merger and acquisition transactions, attracting shareholder capital and arranging funding. We profile the firm to gain an insight into the work it undertakes and the techniques it employs to ensure the success of every project. Company: Blacktrace B.V. Contact: Jaap Smits Address: Statenlaan 18, 5223 LA, ‘s-Hertogenbosch Website: blacktrace.nl MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS