[HenryTheHorse]

Good for you. Raising money for a Prof. Services business is not easy (acquisition is the more common route) but know that investment firms that consolidate similar (or complementary businesses) under one umbrella have their pros and cons. This is what you should be asking:

* Obviously, you need to understand their valuation model (EBITA-multiple, Revenue-multiple etc.)

* What's the operating model after the firms are merged? Who calls the shots? How many seats for you, the investors and the other founders (of other firms) on the board?

* What's the likely exit for the post-merger entity? (IPO is extremely unlikely for a professional services firm in 2018.)

* How will your team be protected from potential merger shakeout? (Personnel in Accounting, HR etc are always the target in such mergers.)

* How will the merger affect your company culture?

* Will they be comfortable in letting you talk to other founders/CEOs as part of due diligence?