A pre-exit acquisition is an M&A strategy executed before a company plans to exit a market or business segment used to maximize the value received from selling that business unit.
A company will sell a business unit or division in a pre-exit acquisition before it exits the market. As a result, the company will typically receive a better selling price for the business unit or division, as the acquiring company can purchase it at a lower valuation, and the company can focus on its core business after the sale.