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About us

Transaction Consulting is a Boutique M&A Advisory Firm with extensive experience in buying and selling businesses

  • Transaction Consulting was founded in 2010 by Marcus Garbe and is based near Zurich (Wilen bei Wollerau).
  • We combine industry expertise, senior-level attention, and a collaborative approach to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
  • Our clients appreciate the combination of a pragmatic and proven working methodology and our approach of taking full ownership of the entire transaction process.
  • Get-the-job-done promise: We don't finish our job until the transaction is closed, no matter what it takes.

Services

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Transaction Advisory

We accompany you throughout the entire transaction process

  • With the focus on small cap M&A transactions our team can unlock value for our clients through extensive expertise in sell-side and buy-side advisory.
  • End-to-End-Process Ownership: From the preparation of the process, the valuation, the preparation of suitable sales documentation (teaser, information memorandum), the identification and approach of potential, suitable target companies, the organization of the due diligence and accompaniment of the contract negotiation up to the closing of the transaction of the target company.
  • We provide superior services thanks to our experienced senior team (each 25+ years’ experience), entrepreneurial mindset and extensive network in Switzerland and Germany.
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Approach

We are pragmatic about methodology but passionate about our clients’ business

  • We understand our client’s business and their challenges down to very specific business issues.
  • RAPID SALES PROCESS (“RSP” Approach): Working with experienced, but rather small and efficient teams, we frequently successfully challenge transaction teams of listed companies with large teams and several accounting- and law firms at the other side of the table.
  • Based on our quantitative working methods and approved tools we develop sustainable business-plans and evaluations, which secure a long run business orientation, even in dynamic competitive environments.

Clients

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Typical clients

We listen to your specific goals to deliver a process tailored to your situation

  • Mandates for corporate CEO/CFO departments to work jointly with internal staff and other advisors.
  • Corporate clients, Entrepreneurs and Financial sponsors (PE / VC) seeking to grow their business via acquisitions or restructure portfolio via disinvestments.
  • We are frequently engaged as a workbench, supporting leading corporations if they encounter a bottleneck in their internal resources.
logo Adticket
logo AXA
logo Billag
logo Budliger
logo CB Financial Services
logo chemmedia
logo helvetiCare
logo jet ticket
logo mySign
logo mountainpartners
logo newion
logo permira
logo PkZ
logo Playpass
logo Q TIXX
logo Reservix
logo Sonova
logo stagelink
logo Starticket
logo Swisscom
logo switch
logo tamedia
logo ticketportal
logo UpTo
logo World Television
laptop compass global

Selected Transactions

We have helped our clients to achieve what they were looking for. In many cases, we’ve done even better than that.

  • Most clients approach us because they hear good things about our work. For some clients, we have been working closely together in various processes for over 10 years.
  • Building trust and pursuing long-term goals and values is the most important aspect of working with our clients during a transaction process.
  • We are very fortunate to have won many clients who have been on the other side of the table in previous transactions.
  • Please note that we only publish references with the explicit written permission of our clients. As we have been allowed to carry out numerous transactions on behalf of leading Swiss corporates as a "workbench", we have explicitly undertaken not to list these as our own references.

October 2022

Transaction Consulting has advised the Foundation Committee of SWITCH, Bern (Switzerland), as exclusive financial advisor on the acquisition of a substantial stake in Phoenix Systems AG, Zurich (Switzerland)

transaction switch

SWITCH works as a shareholder of Phoenix Systems AG on the implementation of the SWITCH Cloud and the operation of the data centre. SWITCH Cloud is based on enterprise-grade hardware from IBM. It runs redundantly in Green's data centres in Schlieren and Lupfig in a ISO-certified environment. Green and IBM are both long-standing technology partners of Phoenix Systems. SWITCH Cloud is a new offering, tailored to the specific needs of the Swiss education, research and innovation system, especially for applications that work with highly sensitive data.

Tom Kleiber, Managing Director of SWITCH, says: "With the diligent support of Transaction Consulting, we took extreme care to embed a strong governance structure into the new strategic partnership to ensure the operation and evolution of the SWITCH Cloud for our community."

The financial terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.

SWITCH is a Swiss foundation that has been operating the Swiss academic network of universities since 1987 and is the competent and trusted partner for digitalization issues that jointly concern the education, research and innovation community in Switzerland.

Phoenix Systems AG is a provider of cloud-based infrastructure in Switzerland with unsurpassed Swiss data protection and data security.

Press

March 2022

Transaction Consulting was the exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of Budliger Treuhand AG (Zurich) in the sale to OBT AG (St. Gallen).

transaction budliger

Budliger, the Zurich-based Fiduciary and Advisory Company founded in 1942 with around 40 employees, is now part of the OBT Group. Budliger will continue to operate with a high degree of autonomy under its own name, following the successful model of the existing OBT subsidiary FIGAS Autogewerbe-Treuhand.

With its strong focus on SME clients, a well-established track record, strong commitment and clear service orientation, Budliger brings to the table competences and qualities that are in line with OBT's culture. Budliger thus strengthens the offering of OBT which is represented at 10 locations in Switzerland with around 350 employees. In return, Budliger benefits from know- how and synergies in the area of digitalization: The IT department, headed by Reto Schaffner, Chairman of the Board of Directors, is one of OBT's core competencies. OBT delivers industry-leading customized software solutions and operates its own data centre in Switzerland with the "OBT Swiss Cloud".

Thomas Züger, CEO of OBT AG, is convinced of the opportunities that this step will offer for parties involved: "With Budliger, a partner joins our OBT Group who shares our ambitious quality standards and our conviction that our success is decisively shaped by our employees. Together we can continue to combine our strengths, drive forward the digital transformation and benefit from each other, particularly regarding qualified professionals."

Flurina Sialm, Partner at Budliger, is looking forward to the new chapter in the company's long history: "As part of the OBT Group, we benefit from synergies and are even better prepared for the challenges of the digital future. We can thus continue to offer our customers the familiar service and, in addition, expand the portfolio thanks to the new partnership. Thanks to the guidance and professional support of Transaction Consulting, we have been very diligent in our search and have had many conversations with potential partners. Of all the different firms we have spoken to, OBT is by far the best possible partner for us."

The financial terms and conditions of the transaction have not been disclosed

Press

August 2021

Transaction Consulting acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of MySign AG, Olten (Switzerland), a leading Swiss e-commerce agency and software house, on their sale of the company to the Allgeier Group, Munich (Germany), one of the leading technology companies for digital transformation.

transaction mysign

The Swiss e-commerce agency and software house MySign AG will become part of the German Allgeier Group. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Olten, MySign AG specialises in the design, development and operation of e-commerce solutions for SMEs. The IT and software services company Allgeier is taking over 80 % of the shares. 20% will remain with the three existing shareholders, who will continue to manage MySign with its approximately 45 employees as an independent company at the Olten location. With the takeover by Allgeier as one of the largest ERP providers in the retail sector, MySign can bring its own shop solution to the German market and thus grow significantly.

Allgeier SE is one of the leading technology companies for digital transformation with headquarters in Munich and 3,200 employees IT experts working in a total of 71 offices in the DACH region, France and the Czech Republic as well as in the USA and Vietnam. In the 2020 financial year, Allgeier generated revenue of €352 million from continuing operations. Allgeier SE is listed on the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the General Standard (WKN A2GS63, ISIN DE000A2GS633).

Reto Baumgartner, co-owner of MySign AG: "With the support of Transaction Consulting, we proceeded very carefully in our search and held many discussions with potential partners. Of all the companies we spoke to, Allgeier is by far the best match: with Allgeier we have the greatest potential to grow while maintaining our own identity".

mySign | video

May 2021

Transaction Consulting advises the shareholders of Playpass on their merger with Weezevent

transaction weezevent

The two European leaders in cashless payment solutions have merged to form one company, offering their combined expertise to the leisure and entertainment sector.

The newly merged group will now be represented by six offices with more than 100 employees and over 1200 cashless event clients around the world including major music festivals like Lollapalooza (in Paris, Berlin and Santiago), Rock Werchter, Main Square, Hellfest, Rock En Seine, Frequency and Nova Rock, and prominent sports brands like Formula 1, Red Bull Air Race, Paris St. Germain FC, Lausanne FC and the William Hill World Darts Championship. The combined offering will represent an annual turnover of over £400 million.

Weezevent’s CEO, Pierre-Henri Deballon, had this to say about co-founders of Playpass, David De Wever and Dale Hofkens: “David, Dale and their teams share the same passion and vision as Weezevent for delivering a world class cashless experience, and after eight years of healthy competition, the time has come to form a new team that is stronger, more ambitious and more confident than ever.”

De Wever added: “Our two companies are highly complementary and the consolidation of our expertise and experience now makes it possible to form the leader in cashless event solutions. The return to a normal post-Covid situation will accelerate the adoption of cashless everywhere. This is about being ready for the market while continuing to innovate.”

The financial terms and conditions of the transaction have not been disclosed.

April 2018

Transaction Consulting advises QTIXX on its sale to mtms Solutions

mtms Solutions GmbH, Eugendorf b. Salzburg (Austria), acquires the event ticketing business of QTIXX GmbH in Berlin (Germany) effective April 1, 2019.

Gerald Eigenstuhler, CEO of mtms Solutions GmbH: "With the acquisition of QTIXX, we are accelerating growth in the event ticketing market in Austria and implementing the planned market entry in Germany. QTIXX's existing customer portfolio offers high growth potential for "mtms Solutions".

Tilman Weigel, CEO and shareholder of QTIXX GmbH adds: "We are pleased to have found the perfect partner in mtms Solutions. The high technological competence and the professional customer service of mtms Solutions is decisive for the further good cooperation with our customers and was therefore the deciding factor for mtms Solutions".

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or other terms of the transaction.

Transaction Consulting, Zurich, was the exclusive transaction advisor for the shareholders of QTIXX GmbH.

March 2018

CB Financial Services AG strengthens its capital base through a capital increase with private investors

CB Financial Services AG strengthens its capital base through a capital increase. The aim is to expand sales activities in Switzerland. Transaction Consulting (Zurich) was the transaction advisor to the shareholders of CB Financial Services AG.

Jointly with CB Financial Services AG and non-disclosed private investors , we are pleased with the successful completion of this transaction.

March 2017

Transaction Consulting supported Symetis in its dual-track process resulting in US $435m. transaction

On 30 March 2017, Boston Scientific announced agreement to acquire Symetis for USD 435 million in cash. Simultaneously, Symetis halted its planned IPO on Euronext Paris, which had been very well received by the investment community. Transaction Consulting supported Symetis during the IPO-preparation and the project management (PMO). This enabled the executive management to focus on the daily business and the most important aspects of the transactions.

Khaled Bahi, Symetis’ CFO, comments: “Lars has worked together with us for a long period of time, and he was extremely valuable in calming down and keeping control over the different work streams and thereby enabling me and the management team in setting the right priorities.” Lars-Kristian Bråten from Transaction Consulting adds: “IPO-candidates are normally also very attractive trade-sale candidates. IPO-preparation over time is therefore a good investment.”

Transaction Consulting is a Boutique Advisory Firm based in Zurich supporting companies and entrepreneurs with growth funding, M&A as well as IPO- and trade-sale preparation and execution.

October 2015

Swisscom Event & Media Solutions acquires World Television Switzerland

Swisscom Event & Media Solutions acquired, as of 29th of September 2015, the Swiss business of the international video-communication agency World Television. By doing so, Swisscom Event & Media Solutions broadens their existing range of video and streaming services and becomes the Swiss market leader within the business customer segment for online video communication and live streaming.
The entire team as well as clients of World Television Switzerland are acquired by Swisscom Event & Media Solutions. The clients will benefit from a diversified service portfolio and a continuously developing online video competence.
The acquisition price remains confidential. Thomas Rajman, head of business development at Swisscom Event & Media Solutions is pleased with the takeover: „World Television is an established, premium provider within the video communication market and therefore fits very well into Swisscom Event & Media Solutions. Together with our new colleagues we can provide our clients with an innovative and at the same time a reliable digital event experience focusing on quality, sustainability and trust.“

Transaction Consulting (Zurich) was the transaction advisor to Swisscom Event & Media Solutions.

Together with Swisscom Event & Media Solutions and World Television Switzerland, we are pleased with the successful completion of this transaction.

July 2015

Reservix GmbH, Freiburg, and AD ticket GmbH, Frankfurt, further develop their ties

The shareholders of both companies have jointly incorporated “Reservix Holding AG”, which has taken over all shares of Reservix and AD ticket. Through this merger, Freiburg based Reservix Holding AG becomes the second biggest ticketing company in Germany with 250 employees serving 5400 event organizers, 2500 pre-sale ticketing vendors and over 300 media partners from offices in Freiburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Oldenburg.

Transaction Consulting (Zurich) was the transaction advisor to Reservix GmbH.

Together with the shareholders of Reservix GmbH and AD ticket GmbH, we are pleased with the successful completion of this transaction.

June 2013

Transaction Consulting as the exclusive transaction advisor to Starticket AG / Tamedia acquires 75 percent of Starticket AG as of 1 July 2013

Tamedia becomes the majority shareholder of Starticket AG with the acquisition of shares from founder Peter Hürlimann as well as from Urs Brunner, Hans Syz and Bruno Widmer’s company Brino Holding AG. Peter Hürlimann stays on as the CEO and retains 25 percent ownership together with the management team. Tamedia has been given the option to acquire additional shares from Peter Hürlimann and the management team until 2018.

Transaction Consulting was the exclusive transaction advisor to the shareholders of Starticket AG.

Together with the shareholders and management of Starticket, we are pleased with the successful completion of this transaction.

Team

marcus garbe

Dr. Marcus Garbe
Managing Partner & Founder
Graduate Business Administration
and PhD Economics
mg@transaction-consulting.com

  • 25+ years experience as managing director, entrepreneur and consultant.
  • Industry expert in entertainment & ticketing and digitalization.
  • Worked for ifo-institute, Roland Berger & Partner, argonauten / Grey Global, REPLY, Ticketcorner, founded diverse start-ups.
  • Studied business administration and economics in Hamburg, Cologne, Barcelona and Cambridge (USA).
marcus garbe

Anna Marie
Garbe-Danuser

Partner
Certified Fiduciary, Adv. Federal Diploma of Higher Education
amgd@transaction-consulting.com

  • 25+ years experience in Swiss and international taxation and structuring.
  • Active member of IFA and Treuhand Suisse.
  • Expert in advising international high-net-worth individuals and corporates in the fields of asset structuring and succession planning.
  • Worked for Credit Suisse Trust, KPMG, LGT Trust, Credit Suisse (Deutschland) AG, Quadris AG
christian soeder

Christian Söder
Associate Partner
Graduate Business Administration
Certified German Tax Advisor and Auditor

  • 20+ years experience as CFO, tax advisor and auditor.
  • Automotive industry expert and expert in audits for SMEs to provide internal and external reporting, including IFRS and US GAAP.
  • Worked for Haarmann Hemmelrath, Arthur Andersen, PWC (CZ), Muhr und Bender (CZ).
  • Studied business administration in Tubingen.
michael eisenberg

Michael Eisenberg
Senior Advisor
Graduate Industrial Engineering

  • 20+ years experience as consultant and project manager.
  • Expert in strategy and organization in the media industry.
  • Worked for Roland Berger & Partner, Eversmann & Partner, Dr. Michael Taeger & Partner, dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur
  • Studied industrial engineering in Hamburg.