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What’s the Difference Between a Teaser and a CIM?

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If you’re preparing to sell your business, you’ll quickly encounter two key documents in the marketing process: the Teaser and the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM).

At Merit Investment Bank, we use both strategically to attract qualified buyers while protecting your confidentiality. Though they serve different purposes, together they form the foundation of a successful M&A marketing campaign.

The Teaser: Generating Interest While Protecting Identity

The Teaser is a concise, one-page document that provides an anonymous overview of your business. It highlights the company’s strengths, market position, and growth opportunities — but without revealing identifying details like your company name or location.

The goal of the teaser is to spark interest among potential buyers while maintaining strict confidentiality. It helps us determine which buyers are genuinely interested and qualified before sharing any sensitive information.

The CIM: A Detailed, Confidential Presentation

Once a prospective buyer signs a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), we share the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) — a comprehensive document that provides an in-depth look at your company.

The CIM typically includes:

  • Company history and overview
  • Market and competitive landscape
  • Products or services
  • Financial performance and projections
  • Growth opportunities and strategic positioning

This is your company’s storytelling opportunity — designed to showcase value, credibility, and potential to serious buyers.

How Merit Investment Bank Uses Both

We craft both the teaser and CIM with care and precision to control the flow of information. The teaser draws buyers in; the CIM convinces them of your company’s value.

Our team ensures that both documents are professionally written, visually compelling, and strategically aligned with your objectives — helping position your business for maximum value.

Book a free confidential call today!

The Best,

J. Craig Dickens 
Chairman
Craig.Dickens@MeritInvestmentBank.com
253-370-8893

Merit Investment Bank as a leading boutique investment bank is focused on entrepreneurial middle-market companies. Merit Investment Bank Executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services, debt and equity capital raises, corporate finance, and valuation services. Securities offered through Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA/SIPC. Merit Investment Bank and Finalis Securities LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.

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