Sell-Side?

The sell side is that part of the financial sector which creates and markets financial instruments, like stocks, bonds, and foreign exchange, in the public market. It also incorporates private capital instruments, including placements of private debt and equity, in the mix. Sell-side professionals are, therefore, investment banks and brokers who design and service these financial products and sell them to the buy side, usually through institutional and individual investors

It is an investment whose returns occur over a long period of time, usually 5 to 10 years. Investors in a venture capital fund typically expect an annual return of 25% to 35% by the end of the holding period of the investment. A VC firm finds businesses through pitch competitions, demo days, hackathons, and conferences. Other channels they use involve digital media like webinars, podcasts, newsletters, blogs, and social networking.

Investment banks play a key role in the financial services industry, particularly concerning mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Introduction
Venture Capital firms are focused on both investment and mentoring. VC firms offer entrepreneurs with much more than financial support; they also offer technical and managerial skills.

Conclusion
Investment banks add value through expert advice services, the complexity involved in negotiations, and ensuring that VC-backed startups make maximum outcomes on transactions in M&A, balancing the interests of all stakeholders involved.

Strategic Advisory: Investment banks guide the startup on whether an acquisition or merger would be strategically advantageous by taking into account market developments, competitive landscapes, and potential synergies between the target company or acquirer.
Valuation: Due to its growth potential and often untested business tactics, it is very challenging to estimate the value of a VC-backed company. Investment banking utilizes a collection of financial models as well as market data with which to estimate fair value; the process helps startups bargain for favorable terms.

An acquisition is when one entity acquires another entity to assume control over its assets, operations, and/or market presence. Investment bankers assist their clients in determining targets, valuing acquisitions, structuring the deal, and closing the purchase.
Investment banks play a very important role in M&As deals relating to venture capital-backed firms by offering tailored advisory services to the business, catering to specific needs. Here is how they help:

Mergers Versus Acquisitions
Investment banking transaction involves two distinct types of deals each with unique strategic intent, which requires customized advisory services.
A merger is the process where two entities combine to form a new business entity, commonly to achieve synergy, increase market share, or to obtain strategic objectives. To make the mergers a success, valuation, negotiation, and planning of integration commonly accompany the process.

Due Diligence
Investment bankers are more likely than ordinary businessmen to pay attention to threats hidden in the due diligence process because of their rich experience as intermediaries. Apart from this, the investment bank will have its in-house lawyers and other specialists to evaluate all the regulatory and compliance matters, financial statements, and all the other relevant papers for a deal.

Sub Points
Negotiations
Direct communication between the CEOs may not be possible without an intermediary, such as an investment banker. When they are involved, it becomes clear to everyone that one party is in search of a transaction and wants to disclose it. If negotiations start, the investment banker will take his client through the entire process.

This is a banking investment niche specialized in asset management or financial dealing, divestiture, asset acquisition, consolidation, tender offer, buyout, and mergers and acquisitions. Bankers, hedge funds, and other institutional investors in this sector consult with corporations to help them execute both sell-side and buy-side M&A deals.