CONTACT
For M&A advisory, AI Strategy proposals or editorial enquiries.
Send me a message
Average response time: 24 business hours.
Direct contacts
Office
Via Sardegna 50, 00187 Rome, Italy
Engagement formats
Engagement can take four main forms, chosen based on the nature of the problem and the time available.
On-site consulting
Meetings in Rome or at your office in Italy (or anywhere in Europe by agreement). Suitable for mandate kick-offs, strategic board sessions, critical-phase due diligence, sensitive negotiations.
Remote call or video conference
Focused 60–90 minute sessions on a single topic: second opinion on a valuation, term-sheet review, clarification on an earn-out clause, vehicle choice for a carve-out. Ideal for executives who need an advisor “on demand” without a retainer.
Ongoing advisory (retainer)
For boards, family offices or funds that want a permanent reference point on corporate finance, M&A and AI strategy. Monthly packages with SLA on response times and availability.
Project-based engagement
For specific transactions: sell-side, buy-side, due diligence, NPL valuation, asset-protection trust structuring, beauty contest. Scoped mandate, structured fee (fixed + success).
Areas and response times
Response times vary by topic. The following are indicative but met in 95% of cases.
| Area | First response | Information requested |
|---|---|---|
| M&A buy-side / sell-side | 24h via email + discovery call within 48h | Transaction brief, sector, value range |
| NPL / Distressed M&A | 48h | Portfolio composition, banks/servicers, perimeter |
| Special Situations / Crisis | 24h (high priority) | Financial picture, critical deadlines |
| AI Strategy for Executives | 72h | Goal (M&A, due diligence, decision support) |
| Valuations / Independent reports | 48h | Last 3 years’ financials, subject matter |
For mandates above €100M enterprise value or cross-border transactions, first call within 24h with direct involvement of the international network (US, UK, DACH).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does independent M&A advisory cost?
It depends on the nature of the mandate. A discovery call is free. For time-based consulting (retainer), monthly fees start from €5–15k depending on intensity. For transactions, fees have three components: initial retainer, milestones (LOI, Heads of Terms, signing) and success fee at closing, typically on a Lehman scale (5-1% sliding). Cross-border and complex situations carry custom fees.
Do you also work with SMEs below €5M in revenue?
Yes, but the economic rationale changes: for smaller deals, a project-based model with a success-fee cap is generally more sustainable. We do not work with micro-enterprises below €1M in revenue because the cost structure of an M&A operation would make the deal anti-economic.
How long does a sell-side mandate last?
Typically 6–12 months from mandate to closing, with outliers at 4 months (prepared deals, identified buyer) and 18 months (complex sectors, cross-border buyers, heavy vendor due diligence). 70% of the work happens in the first 90 days: positioning, IM, teaser, buyer longlist, NDAs.
Do you operate cross-border?
Yes, with focus Italy → Europe (DACH, UK, FR) → US. For outbound Asia or LatAm we work jointly with partner boutiques. Recent significant case: sale of a Made in Italy operator to a French fund, beauty contest with 11 cross-border candidate buyers.
Do you guarantee confidentiality?
Yes, bilateral NDA included in every meaningful first contact. For listed or pre-IPO operations, segregated handling via operation codes (client name never appears in unsecure email or writings).
What we don’t do
Transparency upfront, so we don’t waste your time.
- We don’t offer trading or portfolio management — we are independent M&A advisors, not asset managers.
- We don’t handle retail NPL — only corporate / mid-large portfolios.
- We don’t do lobbying or public affairs — we work on the technical side of transactions, not on institutional influence.
- We don’t sell AI software — we deliver strategy and advisory to integrate AI in M&A; for technology implementations we work with specialized partners.
If your problem falls in these areas, we’ll point you to specialist colleagues.
Ready to talk?
Write to info@saveriocanepa.it with: sector, deal size range, indicative timeline, one sentence on the concrete problem. I’ll personally reply within 24h with two or three slots for a 30-minute discovery call.
