PE interview question: sources & uses

Assumptions: Entry multiple: 8.0x EBTIDA: 40m Debt: 60m Non-controlling interest: 10m Unfunded pension liabilities: 10m

New debt: 160m

What is the required equity contribution? Please create a sources & uses table and assume you roll over pension liabilities.

Follow-up: If the shareholder/founder wants to roll over a 20% stake, what would be his equity value pro forma for the transaction? In this case, what is the required equity cheque by the existing shareholder/founder?

23 Comments
 
 

I would agree with Rover-S

Based on my understanding of the follow-up question, equity stake to roll-over should be based of the equity proceeds to the seller, not the new equity value. The question does not say that the founder wants to invest 20% alongside new buyer but rather says that the founder wants to roll-over a 20% stake. To me this implies that the founder wants to roll-over his existing stake that amounts to 20% of exinsting equity.

 

OP's question was what is the seller's equity check to roll a 20% stake. Translation: what dollar amount would he need to roll in order to own a 20% stake in NewCo. This requires both Sources (NewCo equity value) and Uses (seller proceeds). Calculating 20% of existing equity value requires only Uses.

Rover-S did correctly calculate this (as did I) given NCI could be treated either way.

 
Most Helpful
"driven" OP's question was what is the seller's equity check to roll a 20% stake. Translation: what dollar amount would he need to roll in order to own a 20% stake in NewCo. This requires both Sources (NewCo equity value) and Uses (seller proceeds). Calculating 20% of existing equity value requires only Uses.

Rover-S did correctly calculate this (as did I) given NCI could be treated either way.

OP's question states that the founder wants to roll over a 20% stake. This phrasing usually implies that 20% of equity owned by the founder before the sale is reinvested alongside a new buyer. Existing phrasing doesn't seem to imply that the founder will own 20% of equity when the buyer invests. I am not sure why you made such assumption

 

Ducimus blanditiis molestiae repellat quos. Sapiente quia et quas sit.

Fugiat facilis est nisi minima corporis consequuntur qui. Eos minima perspiciatis consequatur ad perspiciatis. Laudantium minus ipsam ea est rerum. Ullam nihil ea voluptatem nihil ea officiis. Tempore dolorum error laborum enim dicta veritatis. Et est molestiae ex aliquam et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”