What Businesses Are
Actually Selling For
in the UAE Right Now
Real transaction structures based on global LOI comparables โ adapted to current UAE market conditions.
Most SME transactions in the UAE today are completed using structured deals, not 100% cash. Understanding these structures helps buyers and sellers close faster โ at better valuations.
Smart structuring = faster exits."
What The LOI Data Tells Us
Analysed from global LOI comparables โ restructured for UAE SME market reality 2025โ2026.
Deal Activity Breakdown
Summarised deal data & LOI structure breakdown โ UAE adapted from global comparables.
LOIs By Industry
EBITDA Multiple Ranges
LOIs By Buyer Type
Earnout
Earnouts are tied to post-acquisition revenue or profit targets โ typically 1โ3 years. Most common in Technology and Industrials deals.
Rollover Equity
Seller retains a minority stake post-sale โ common in PE-backed deals and healthcare where the buyer wants the seller involved post-close.
Seller Note
A private loan from seller to buyer โ paid in instalments over 1โ3 years at 6โ8% interest. Most common in UAE SME deals under AED 15M.
UAE Deal Ranges by Industry
Each sector carries different multiples and deal structures. Here's what to expect in today's UAE market.
Industrials & Construction
65% Cash ยท 25% Earnout ยท 10% Equity โ Buyers hedge project-based revenue risk.
Healthcare & Clinics
65โ75% Cash ยท 25โ35% Equity Rollover โ Highest multiples in UAE market.
Logistics & Transportation
60% Cash ยท 25% Seller Note ยท 15% Equity โ Asset-heavy = lower multiple.
Technology & Software
50โ75% Cash ยท 25โ50% Earnout โ Growth-based valuation, risk shared via earnout.
Business Services
60% Cash ยท 20% Earnout ยท 20% Seller Note โ Most common UAE SME deal type.
F&B & Hospitality
70% Cash ยท 30% Seller Note โ Licensing complexity caps multiples in UAE.
SellAnyBiz โ Comparable LOI Structures (UAE Adapted)
Global Comparables ยท UAE Market ReadyBased on Axial LOI data restructured for UAE market reality.
Key insight: Most deals are NOT 100% cash. Typical structure: Cash 60โ80% + Earnout / Seller Note / Equity Rollover 20โ40%. Multiples vary massively: 2.2x โ 10.5x EBITDA.
| Buyer Type | Industry | Deal Type | EBITDA Multiple | Cash %% of deal paid upfront at closing. Higher cash = lower risk but typically lower total valuation. | Earnout %Future payments tied to hitting performance targets after acquisition, usually 1โ3 years. | Equity %Seller retains a minority ownership stake post-sale. | Seller Note %Deferred payment from buyer to seller โ like a private loan paid over 1โ3 years with interest. | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Equity | Industrials | Structured Exit | 5.5x | 70% | 15% | 15% | โ | Balanced risk |
| Ind. Sponsor | Consumer Goods | High Cash Exit | 8.9x | 90% | โ | โ | 10% | Strong demand |
| Search Fund | Healthcare | Growth Partnership | 10.5x | 65% | โ | 35% | โ | High val., low cash |
| Ind. Sponsor | Industrials | Earnout Heavy | 7.5x | 68% | 32% | โ | โ | Performance linked |
| Corporation | Industrials | Full Exit (100%) | 2.2x | 90% | โ | โ | 10% | Discounted exit |
| Search Fund | Business Services | Hybrid Structure | 4.5x | 70% | 10% | 7% | 13% | Flexible deal |
| Private Equity | Industrials | Structured Exit | 5.8x | 80% | โ | 20% | โ | Typical PE deal |
| Ind. Sponsor | Technology | Earnout Heavy | 6.2x | 55% | 45% | โ | โ | Risk sharing |
| Holding Co. | Industrials | Structured Exit | 3.8x | 75% | 25% | โ | โ | Lower multiple |
| Family Office | Technology | Growth Partnership | 8.1x | 82% | โ | 4% | 14% | Mixed structure |
* Hover column headers for definitions. Based on Axial global LOI comparables adapted for UAE 2025โ2026.
100% Exit Comparables โ UAE Messaging Gold
Lower Multiples ยท Faster ExitsIf you want a 100% clean exit in today's market โ expect a discount.
๐ก SellAnyBiz Insight: Many 100% exits happen at LOWER multiples. Healthcare is the exception โ premium sector commands higher multiples even in full cash deals.
| Buyer Type | Industry | Deal Type | EBITDA Multiple | Cash % | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ind. Sponsor | Industrials | Full Exit | 2.8x | 100% | Fast sale, low price |
| Search Fund | Healthcare | Full Exit | 5.6x | 100% | Premium sector |
| Individual | Transportation | Full Exit | 3.4x | 100% | Asset heavy discount |
| Search Fund | Business Services | Full Exit | 3.2x | 100% | SME market reality |
| Family Office | Business Services | Full Exit | 2.3x | 100% | Lowest multiples |
* 100% cash exits trade at ~1xโ2x EBITDA discount vs. structured deals.
UAE Lower Mid-Market LOI Comparables (2025โ2026)
AED ยท AED 4Mโ20M EV RangeReal deal structures for UAE SMEs โ this is where most activity is happening right now.
โ Most Common Structure: 60% Cash + 20% Earnout + 20% Seller Note. Structured deals achieve 0.5xโ1.5x higher EBITDA multiples vs. 100% cash exits.
| Buyer Type | Industry | Deal Value (AED) | EBITDA (AED) | Multiple | Cash %Paid upfront at closing. Lower cash % = higher total valuation. | Earnout %Paid after closing if business hits agreed targets over 1โ3 years. | Equity %Seller keeps minority stake post-sale. | Seller Note %Private loan from seller to buyer. Paid 1โ3 years at 6โ8% interest. | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Business Services | AED 8,800,000 | AED 2,940,000 | 3.0x | 60% | 20% | โ | 20% | Typical SME |
| Search Fund | Healthcare Clinic | AED 15,400,000 | AED 4,400,000 | 3.5x | 65% | โ | 35% | โ | Lower cash, higher upside |
| Ind. Sponsor | Logistics | AED 14,000,000 | AED 4,000,000 | 3.4x | 55% | 25% | โ | 20% | Risk-sharing |
| Individual | Restaurant Group | AED 6,600,000 | AED 2,200,000 | 3.0x | 70% | โ | โ | 30% | Cash-heavy buyer |
| Family Office | Education | AED 18,300,000 | AED 5,500,000 | 3.3x | 60% | โ | 20% | 20% | Structured |
| Ind. Sponsor | Cleaning Company | AED 9,900,000 | AED 3,300,000 | 3.0x | 50% | 30% | โ | 20% | Very common UAE |
| Search Fund | Clinic | AED 12,800,000 | AED 3,700,000 | 3.5x | 60% | โ | โ | 40% | Seller financed |
| Ind. Sponsor | Logistics | AED 14,700,000 | AED 4,400,000 | 3.3x | 50% | 25% | โ | 25% | Shared risk |
| Family Office | Nursery | AED 11,700,000 | AED 3,300,000 | 3.5x | 65% | โ | โ | 35% | Stable sector |
| Individual | Cleaning | AED 8,100,000 | AED 2,570,000 | 3.1x | 55% | 20% | โ | 25% | Cash constrained |
| Ind. Sponsor | HVAC / Maintenance | AED 14,000,000 | AED 4,000,000 | 3.4x | 60% | 20% | โ | 20% | UAE typical |
* All values in AED. Based on global comparables adapted for UAE market 2025โ2026.
Recent Transaction Examples
Examples of deal structures being closed right now in the UAE.
Which Exit Model Is Right for You?
Three proven models โ choose based on how much cash you need now versus how much valuation matters.
Full Cash Exit
Fastest deal. Lowest valuation. Clean break with no ongoing obligations to the buyer.
Balanced Structured Deal
Most common in UAE today. Higher valuation. Cash at close + balance paid over 1โ3 years.
Growth Partnership
Highest valuation. Seller retains equity and participates in post-sale growth. Ideal for healthcare and tech.
Want to Structure a Deal Like This?
Our deal advisors have closed 600+ transactions across UAE, USA and UK. We'll find the right structure โ whether you're buying or selling.
Transaction data is based on global comparables adapted for UAE market conditions 2025โ2026. Deal values are indicative and for educational purposes only. SELLANYBIZ LTD operates under UAE regulatory framework. All escrow services regulated by ADGM. UK services subject to FCA regulation via Swoop Finance Limited (FRN: 936513).
