The Entrepreneur-Investor Playing Field – Purchase Price & Pricing Mechanisms

In M&A transactions, the purchase price is often presented as a single number. In practice, however, it is the outcome of a set of legal and financial arrangements on how that price is determined, adjusted and paid. That is precisely where the playing field arises between the entrepreneur (seeking certainty and rapid payment) and the investor (seeking risk mitigation and performance‑based consideration), as with other arrangements between these parties discussed in this blog series.

1. Purchase price as a negotiation item

In the share purchase agreement (SPA), the parties record their final arrangements after often intensive negotiations, including the mechanisms by which the price may be adjusted. This aligns with the function of the SPA as the end point of negotiations on the allocation of risk between buyer and seller.

The seller will typically aim for:

• maximum price;
• as much upfront certainty as possible;
• minimal risk of subsequent downward adjustments.

The buyer/investor will typically aim for:

• protection against downside risks;
• alignment with the target’s actual financial position;
• in some cases: making part of the price contingent on future performance.

2. Basic purchase price structures

Common basic structures include:

Fixed purchase price

• single agreed amount, with limited or no post‑closing adjustments;
• provides the seller with relatively high price certainty.

Variable purchase price

• part of the price is only finally determined post‑closing;
• adjustments based on, for example, actual debt levels or working capital.

Combination structures

• part of the price paid in cash at closing;
• part paid later, for example via an earn‑out or deferred consideration/vendor loan.

The chosen structure is directly linked to the overall risk allocation in the transaction, just as with warranties, indemnities and other clauses in the SPA.

3. Locked box vs. completion accounts

Two widely used pricing mechanisms are:

Locked box

• price based on a historical balance sheet date (usually 1 January, the first day of the financial year);
• as from that date, the business is, in economic terms, operated for the account (and risk) of the buyer;
• no extensive post‑closing true‑up, but contractual protection against “leakage” (unauthorised value extractions).

Completion accounts

• provisional price at signing/closing;
• post‑closing true‑up based on the actual financials as at the closing date;
• typically with defined concepts of net debt and (normalised) working capital.

In practice, a seller (depending on the specific deal context) will often favour a locked‑box mechanism (greater price certainty), whereas a buyer may prefer completion accounts in order to tie the price more closely to the actual financial position at closing.

In case of later disputes about the operation of these mechanisms, the courts will generally interpret the agreed provisions under the Haviltex standard (the Dutch contract interpretation test based on the parties’ reasonable expectations and what they could reasonably expect from each other).

4. Earn‑out structures

An earn‑out makes part of the purchase price contingent on future performance (for example, revenue or EBITDA). This can bridge the valuation gap between seller and buyer.

Advantages:

• the seller can participate in future growth;
• the buyer only pays part of the price if the agreed performance targets are actually achieved.

Key points of attention:

• duration of the earn‑out period;
• how performance is measured (definitions and calculation mechanics);
• the influence of buyer and seller on the business post‑closing and potential tensions around this.

Here too, the principles of reasonableness and fairness under Dutch law play a role: in principle, the buyer is free to manage the business at its own discretion, but must refrain from conduct that would in effect render the earn‑out illusory for the seller. This aligns with the broader line in Dutch case law that even between professional parties contractual protection mechanisms can, in exceptional cases, be corrected where their application would be unacceptable according to standards of reasonableness and fairness.

These arrangements are often intertwined with other contractual provisions (for example veto rights or information rights), such as in venture capital relationships where minority investors seek protection.

5. Cash‑free / debt‑free and working capital

In many transactions, the parties adopt a “cash‑free / debt‑free” approach:

Starting point:

• the business is sold without surplus cash and without financial indebtedness;
• deviations lead to purchase price adjustments.

In addition, normalised working capital is often a key parameter:

• the parties agree what constitutes a “normal” level of working capital;
• if actual working capital at closing is higher or lower, the price will generally be adjusted upwards or downwards.

These technical arrangements have a major impact on the final consideration and require clear definitions in the SPA. As with warranties and indemnities, precise drafting is essential for the allocation of (financial) risk.

6. Practical considerations for entrepreneurs and investors

For entrepreneurs (sellers):

• consider at an early stage the desired balance between price certainty and maximising the headline price;
• pay close attention to technical definitions of net debt and working capital;
• be mindful of the impact of earn‑outs, vendor loans and deferred consideration on your freedom after closing.

For investors (buyers):

• use pricing mechanisms consciously as tools to manage risk;
• ensure clear and workable definitions to limit ex post discussions;
• align price mechanisms with other arrangements (governance, veto rights, dividend policy, etc.).

7. Conclusion

Purchase price and pricing mechanisms are a core element of the playing field between entrepreneur and investor. They determine not just “the number”, but above all how risks, expectations and future performance are allocated between the parties. As with other topics in this series – such as PE/VC deals, the SPA and convertible loans – careful structuring and drafting of these arrangements is essential to protect interests, manage risks and avoid disputes.

See also: https://thelegalgroup.nl/koopprijs-en-prijsmechanismen-ma-transacties/