How do I get a heads up on broker deals before they get posted publicly?

June 18, 2025

by a searcher from Boston University - Questrom School of Business in Newton, NH, USA

This has been one area I have not been able to make progress in. I see broker ads on Bizbuysell, or postings for businesses with the broker listed. I've reached out to some of them directly and expressed interest in connecting, but I have not heard back from anyone. I don't usually get shut-out like that with networking, so I must be missing something. Is there another well I should be dipping my bucket in to make contact? I'm in southern New Hampshire, looking in the area, including northern Massachusetts, if that helps.

Reply by a searcher
from The University of Chicago in Nashville, TN, USA

I started getting an early heads up on deals after I had submitted LOIs on previous deals that the same firm had. My credibility jumped instantly in their eyes after I had shown that I was more than a tire kicker and I could put together a serious LOI.

Reply by a searcher
from Stanford University in Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA

That would be hard. Network with the brokers and build a reputation that you are a fast and easy transaction and you might have some luck with previews of opportunities. Brokers are incentivized to cast as wide a net as possible and, in some cases, may have a legal duty to do so. The best path to access to pre-public deal flow is actually directly with the business owners. Look for industry organizations and events and circulate among the principals of businesses you are looking to acquire. If the business engages a broker to run the process, it's really unlikely anyone would be able to convince them to pocket it while you negotiate a deal unless you pay them for exclusivity.

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