CAT — Company Assessment Tool

See your business the way an investor will

CAT is a structured diagnostic that shows where your business is strong, where value is at risk, and what needs to change before transition, funding, investment or exit.

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Overall Readiness ScoreIllustrative example
67of 100

Credible

Business Health

71 / 100

Credible

Exit Readiness

62 / 100

Developing

How it is scored

Five bands, not a pass mark.

  1. Critical

    0–34

  2. Fragile

    35–49

  3. Developing

    50–64

  4. Credible

    65–79

  5. Strong

    80–100

CAT scores readiness. It does not value your business.

A different question changes everything

Most assessments ask:
“Is the company ready?”
CAT asks:
“What would an investor, lender or buyer see — and what should you improve before they do?”

Why it matters

A historic transfer of business ownership is underway

  • 6M

    small & mid-size U.S. businesses face ownership transition by 2035

  • $5T

    in enterprise value expected to change hands as owners retire

  • 51%

    of privately held U.S. businesses are owned by someone 55 or older

  • 42%

    projected rise in annual small-business exits above 2011 levels by 2035

Share of the U.S. population at or beyond retirement age

12%200518%202521%2040

Sources: McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility (Apr. 2026); U.S. Census Bureau; Exit Planning Institute (2023).

Why it matters

Small businesses represent 99% of U.S. companies and generate roughly 35% of all business revenue. Without earlier preparation, McKinsey warns many otherwise-viable companies may close rather than transfer to new ownership — at real cost to jobs and local economies.

What CAT covers

Business Health

130 questions

  • Strategy
  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Operations
  • People
  • Product
  • Market Position
  • Technology & Data
  • IP
  • Legal

Exit Readiness

63 questions

  • Exit Goals
  • Buyer Lens
  • Revenue Quality
  • Transferability
  • Diligence Readiness
  • Valuation & Deal Terms

Real insight. Real priorities.

Not just a score.
A roadmap

  1. 01

    See where you stand.

  2. 02

    Understand what others will see.

  3. 03

    Know what to work on next.

In this report
  1. 01Executive Summary
  2. 02Business Health
  3. 03Exit Readiness
  4. 04Buyer Lens
  5. 05Priority Recommendations
  6. 06Assessment Confidence
  7. 07Suggested Next Step

Better insight. Better decisions
Better outcomes

See how CAT can help you build a stronger business and be ready for what’s next.

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