Clients

Team

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About Copernicus

Services

Clients

Team

Contact

Shifting Perspectives

Redefine your strategic orbit

New insights. New growth opportunities.

Copernicus advises entrepreneurs, corporates and investors on strategic M&A transactions

Independent boutique M&A firm based in The Hague | Buy-side and sell-side M&A advisory in the mid-market

Independent boutique M&A firm based in The Hague Buy-side and sell-side M&A advisory in the mid-market

About Copernicus

Copernicus Corporate Finance

Copernicus Corporate Finance is an independent boutique M&A firm based in The Hague, specialising in advisory services for mergers and acquisitions in the lower mid-market segment. We advise entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, corporates and private-equity investors on transactions with an enterprise value typically ranging from €1 million to €50 million.

Our name is inspired by astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. His heliocentric theory marked a fundamental shift in perspective and permanently changed the prevailing view of the world.

This shift in perspective forms the foundation of our M&A approach. We assess strategic issues from multiple angles and do not limit ourselves to reviewing existing opportunities. Through a proactive and often off-market approach, we identify acquisition opportunities that align with the strategic and financial objectives of our clients.

We do not adhere to a strict sector focus, but concentrate on companies with a clear business model and a well-defined growth profile — situations in which we understand the underlying dynamics and can add value in a targeted manner.

Copernicus has a natural focus on buy-side M&A mandates, alongside extensive experience advising on sell-side transactions for a broad range of clients.

Our Services

Buy-side M&A

– advisory services for the acquisition of companies

Sell-side M&A

– advisory services for the sale of companies or business units

International M&A

– supporting cross-border transactions in Northwest Europe

Our Core Values

Perspective

We approach M&A from new angles and identify off-market opportunities

Perspective

We approach M&A from new angles and identify off-market opportunities

Perspective

We approach M&A from new angles and identify off-market opportunities

Insight

We analyse and understand business models and execute transactions driven by strategy

Insight

We analyse and understand business models and execute transactions driven by strategy

Insight

We analyse and understand business models and execute transactions driven by strategy

Execution

We are actively involved and carefully manage each phase of the transaction process

Execution

We are actively involved and carefully manage each phase of the transaction process

Execution

We are actively involved and carefully manage each phase of the transaction process

Personal

We work closely with entrepreneurs, management teams and investors, based on trust and short lines of communication

Personal

We work closely with entrepreneurs, management teams and investors, based on trust and short lines of communication

Personal

We work closely with entrepreneurs, management teams and investors, based on trust and short lines of communication

Our Core Values

Perspective

We approach M&A from new angles and identify off-market opportunities

Execution

We are actively involved and carefully manage each phase of the transaction process

Insight

We analyse and understand business models and execute transactions driven by strategy

Personal

We work closely with entrepreneurs, management teams and investors, based on trust and short lines of communication

Our Approach

Copernicus operates with a compact core team, complemented by a trusted network of external professionals and senior advisors. This structure enables us to deploy the right expertise for each mandate and to guide clients carefully throughout the entire transaction process.

Our Services

Buy-side M&A

Acquiring a business

For entrepreneurs and investors pursuing scale and growth, strategic acquisitions are an effective lever to accelerate growth.

Copernicus advises on buy-side acquisitions aimed at geographic expansion, portfolio diversification, market consolidation and strengthening of the value chain through horizontal or vertical integration.

Our approach is proactive and analytical. We map relevant markets and identify acquisition targets. We engage directly with decision-makers outside competitive sale processes. This creates access to off-market opportunities and enables the execution of 1-on-1 transactions aligned with our clients’ strategic objectives.

Buy-side M&A

Acquiring a business

For entrepreneurs and investors pursuing scale and growth, strategic acquisitions are an effective lever to accelerate growth.

Buy-side M&A

Acquiring a business

For entrepreneurs and investors pursuing scale and growth, strategic acquisitions are an effective lever to accelerate growth.

Buy-side M&A

Acquiring a business

For entrepreneurs and investors pursuing scale and growth, strategic acquisitions are an effective lever to accelerate growth.

Sell-side M&A

Selling a business

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a moment to consider a sale. It can be a strategic step, a milestone event, or the result of succession constraints.

A successful process starts with preparation and positioning. We shape a clear equity story and identify the buyer universe. We approach the parties that best fit from a strategic, financial and cultural perspective.

We manage the transaction end-to-end. From first contact to negotiation and closing, we run a controlled process focused on value, certainty and continuity.

Sell-side M&A

Selling a business

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a moment to consider a sale. It can be a strategic step, a milestone event, or the result of succession constraints.

We manage the transaction end-to-end. From first contact to negotiation and closing, we run a controlled process focused on value, certainty and continuity.

Sell-side M&A

Selling a business

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a moment to consider a sale. It can be a strategic step, a milestone event, or the result of succession constraints.

We manage the transaction end-to-end. From first contact to negotiation and closing, we run a controlled process focused on value, certainty and continuity.

Sell-side M&A

Selling a business

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a moment to consider a sale. It can be a strategic step, a milestone event, or the result of succession constraints.

We manage the transaction end-to-end. From first contact to negotiation and closing, we run a controlled process focused on value, certainty and continuity.

International M&A

Cross-border transactions

We support Dutch companies seeking international expansion, as well as foreign investors and corporates looking to establish or expand their presence in the Netherlands.

For Dutch companies, we identify relevant foreign targets or buyers, establish initial contact and guide the transaction process in a structured and focused manner.

For international parties, we act as a Dutch business-development partner: identifying suitable companies, sourcing off-market opportunities and supporting transactions from market mapping through to completion.

International M&A

Cross-border transactions

We support Dutch companies seeking international expansion, as well as foreign investors and corporates looking to establish or expand their presence in the Netherlands.

For Dutch companies, we identify relevant foreign targets or buyers, establish initial contact and guide the transaction process in a structured and focused manner.

International M&A

Cross-border transactions

We support Dutch companies seeking international expansion, as well as foreign investors and corporates looking to establish or expand their presence in the Netherlands.

For Dutch companies, we identify relevant foreign targets or buyers, establish initial contact and guide the transaction process in a structured and focused manner.

International M&A

Cross-border transactions

We support Dutch companies seeking international expansion, as well as foreign investors and corporates looking to establish or expand their presence in the Netherlands.

For Dutch companies, we identify relevant foreign targets or buyers, establish initial contact and guide the transaction process in a structured and focused manner.

Our Clients

Entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a point at which fundamental decisions must be made regarding the future of the business.

This may involve pursuing further growth through targeted acquisitions, such as geographic expansion, portfolio extension or horizontal and vertical integration
Realising the value of a lifetime’s work and ensuring continuity when succession is not available.

We clearly map the available options, assess which route best aligns with your ambitions and guide you through the entire transaction process in a focused and careful manner.

Entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a point at which fundamental decisions must be made regarding the future of the business.

This may involve pursuing further growth through targeted acquisitions, such as geographic expansion, portfolio extension or horizontal and vertical integration
Realising the value of a lifetime’s work and ensuring continuity when succession is not available.

We clearly map the available options, assess which route best aligns with your ambitions and guide you through the entire transaction process in a focused and careful manner.

Entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a point at which fundamental decisions must be made regarding the future of the business.

This may involve pursuing further growth through targeted acquisitions, such as geographic expansion, portfolio extension or horizontal and vertical integration
Realising the value of a lifetime’s work and ensuring continuity when succession is not available.

We clearly map the available options, assess which route best aligns with your ambitions and guide you through the entire transaction process in a focused and careful manner.

Entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a point at which fundamental decisions must be made regarding the future of the business.

This may involve pursuing further growth through targeted acquisitions, such as geographic expansion, portfolio extension or horizontal and vertical integration
Realising the value of a lifetime’s work and ensuring continuity when succession is not available.

We clearly map the available options, assess which route best aligns with your ambitions and guide you through the entire transaction process in a focused and careful manner.

Corporates

For corporates, M&A is a strategic lever to accelerate growth, strengthen market positioning and realise synergies.

Whether the objective is geographic expansion, portfolio optimisation or vertical integration, we help define priorities and assess where strategic and financial value can be created. Based on this analysis, we identify and approach relevant acquisition targets with a clear strategic rationale.

We support management teams and boards in evaluating options, aligning stakeholders and making well-informed decisions, enabling disciplined execution of M&A initiatives.

Corporates

For corporates, M&A is a strategic lever to accelerate growth, strengthen market positioning and realise synergies.

We support management teams and boards in evaluating options, aligning stakeholders and making well-informed decisions, enabling disciplined execution of M&A initiatives.

Corporates

For corporates, M&A is a strategic lever to accelerate growth, strengthen market positioning and realise synergies.

We support management teams and boards in evaluating options, aligning stakeholders and making well-informed decisions, enabling disciplined execution of M&A initiatives.

Corporates

For corporates, M&A is a strategic lever to accelerate growth, strengthen market positioning and realise synergies.

We support management teams and boards in evaluating options, aligning stakeholders and making well-informed decisions, enabling disciplined execution of M&A initiatives.

Private equity

Copernicus supports private-equity investors in executing buy-and-build strategies by sourcing and approaching add-on acquisition targets aligned with platform investments.

We identify and engage with relevant companies, assess strategic fit within the investment thesis and create direct access to off-market opportunities. As an independent partner, we complement the deal team by strengthening front-end origination and enabling parallel execution across the portfolio.

In doing so, we expand access to proprietary deal flow and support disciplined value creation at portfolio level.

Private equity

Copernicus supports private-equity investors in executing buy-and-build strategies by sourcing and approaching add-on acquisition targets aligned with platform investments.

In doing so, we expand access to proprietary deal flow and support disciplined value creation at portfolio level.

Private equity

Copernicus supports private-equity investors in executing buy-and-build strategies by sourcing and approaching add-on acquisition targets aligned with platform investments.

In doing so, we expand access to proprietary deal flow and support disciplined value creation at portfolio level.

Private equity

Copernicus supports private-equity investors in executing buy-and-build strategies by sourcing and approaching add-on acquisition targets aligned with platform investments.

In doing so, we expand access to proprietary deal flow and support disciplined value creation at portfolio level.

Team

Niels Guijt

Founder

Niels built broad M&A experience at several M&A boutiques before founding Copernicus Corporate Finance.

He has advised on transactions across various industries and supported entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, private-equity investors and corporates in both domestic and international buy- and sell-side mandates. With a strong focus on buy-side M&A, Niels identifies opportunities through a targeted — often off-market — approach and translates them into transactions aligned with his clients’ growth ambitions.

In his spare time, Niels enjoys surfing, running and discovering new destinations.