We buy businesses from owners ready for the next chapter.
If you've spent decades building something you're proud of and are starting to think about what comes next, we'd like to have a conversation — on your timeline, in confidence, with no obligation.
Established, owner-operated, and ready for a thoughtful transition.
We're a small acquisition group focused on Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. We're generalists on industry — from home services and trades to light manufacturing, distribution, and specialty retail — and specialists on respectful, well-structured transitions. Every business we look at gets a careful, unhurried evaluation.
Size
Businesses with annual owner earnings (SDE) typically between $200,000 and $2 million. Enterprise value under $10M.
Longevity
Ten or more years of operating history. A stable customer base, a real team, and a good local reputation.
Location
Preference for Oregon — Central Oregon, Willamette Valley, and Portland metro. Other Pacific Northwest considered for the right fit.
Industries
Home services, trades, light manufacturing, distribution, B2B services, auto services, healthcare services, and specialty coffee.
Owner situation
Owners planning retirement, health-related transitions, or simply ready to hand the business to someone who'll steward it well.
Deal structure
Flexible — cash, SBA financing, seller notes, and earn-outs all on the table. We build the structure around your goals, not the other way around.
A small group with local roots and a long time horizon.
Deschutes Partners is a private acquisition group based in Bend, Oregon. We're not a private-equity fund and we're not a broker. We're a small team of experienced operators and investors that buys and holds a single business at a time.
Our backgrounds are in operations, finance, and analytics — the kind of unglamorous work that keeps good businesses running smoothly through an ownership change. When we buy a business, we're planning to own it for many years, not to flip it.
How we're different from a typical buyer:
— We move at your pace. Some sellers want to close in 60 days; some want a two-year runway. Both work for us.
— We keep the name, the team, and the reputation you've built. Continuity is the point.
— We use our own capital and partner capital — we're not waiting on a fund to close.
— We treat conversations as confidential from the first email.
Common questions from owners we speak with.
I'm not sure I'm ready to sell yet. Is it too early to talk?
Not at all. Most conversations we have start a year or two before a transaction. Meeting early lets us understand the business, gives you time to prepare (which usually increases the value), and takes the pressure off. There's no obligation to anything.
Will this stay confidential? I don't want my employees or customers to know.
Yes. Every conversation is confidential from the first email. Before we look at any financials, we'll sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement. We won't contact employees, customers, or vendors without your written permission.
What happens to my team after the sale?
We buy businesses because the team and the operation work. Our default is to keep everyone in place, honor existing compensation, and often offer retention agreements to key people. If you have specific commitments you want to make to your team as part of the deal, we can build those into the structure.
How do you value a business?
For businesses under $10M, valuation is usually a multiple of Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA, adjusted for factors like customer concentration, recurring revenue, real estate, and growth trend. We'll walk you through our math in plain language — no black boxes.
Do I need a broker?
You don't need one to talk with us, but you're welcome to have one. Many sellers prefer to work with their CPA and attorney directly; some prefer a broker as an intermediary. Both are fine. What matters most is that you have advisors you trust reviewing anything you sign.
How is the deal structured — all cash?
Not always. Most transactions in this range include some combination of cash at close, SBA financing, and a seller note (a portion paid over time). Some include an earn-out tied to future performance. The right structure depends on your tax situation, retirement plan, and comfort level. We'll design it around your goals.
What's the process and how long does it take?
Typical timeline: initial conversation (30 minutes), NDA, review of financials (2–4 weeks), on-site visit, Letter of Intent, due diligence (60–90 days), close. Start to finish, most transactions take four to eight months. We can compress it if you want to move fast, or extend it if you want more runway.
What if my business doesn't fit your criteria?
We'll tell you honestly, and where we can, we'll point you toward someone who might be a better fit. We'd rather send you to the right buyer than waste your time.
Let's start a conversation — on your timeline, in confidence.
Every message goes directly to the person who will read it. We'll respond within one business day. Nothing is shared, nothing is disclosed, nothing moves without your say-so.