Operating Cash in Cash-Free/Debt-Free Deals – Market Practice?
In cash-free/debt-free deals for businesses with structurally low working capital, how do you avoid a situation where the company is effectively delivered “cash empty”? Do you typically push for a minimum operating cash level, adjust the working capital definition, or accept post-closing funding as part of the economics? Also, how do you typically size this in practice (e.g., 1–2 months of operating costs, payroll cycles, or another metric)? Curious to hear what is considered market practice vs. aggressive positioning here.