In today’s hyper-competitive M&A landscape, the best deals don’t always make it to market. In fact, the most strategic, well-aligned acquisitions often happen before a company hires a banker or hangs a “for sale” sign.

That’s what we call proprietary deal flow—off-market opportunities sourced through targeted outreach, relationships, and timing.

Why does it matter?

Because once a business enters a formal process, you’re not just negotiating with the seller—you’re competing against a dozen other buyers. That drives up valuation, limits diligence access, and adds unnecessary complexity.

By contrast, proprietary deals:

• Allow for early, direct conversations with owners

• Lead to more reasonable pricing

• Foster trust that carries into integration

At SGA, we specialize in helping growth-minded companies tap into this off-market world. With tailored outreach and a respectful, founder-first approach, we help our clients uncover deals others never knew existed.