How to do merch for a startup exit, acquisition and rebrand
A merch playbook for startup exits, M&A integration and rebranding events — what to retire, what to keep, when to do farewell merch and when to launch the post-merger kit.
Step-by-step
Before the announcement — keep the merch programme on a strict need-to-know list to prevent leaks. Day 0 (announcement) — release a farewell merch drop for the legacy brand: limited-edition founder-team hoodie, anniversary pin, signed-thank-you card. Days 1-30 (transition) — pause new orders on legacy brand, audit inventory, decide what to repurpose vs. retire. Days 30-90 (post-merger) — launch the new-brand welcome kit for all employees, with the new logo, new colours and a co-branded reference to the legacy brand for sentimental continuity.
Common pitfalls and best practice
Common mistake: retiring the legacy brand entirely on day 1. Better practice: a 30-day overlap window with co-branded transitional merch. Employees and customers need emotional continuity. The new-brand merch should reference the legacy with a 'powered by [legacy]' line, a heritage-colour accent, or an explicit anniversary date. After 90 days, the legacy brand can be fully retired with a final farewell drop for the most senior tenured staff.
Spain-specific notes
For Spain, 21% VAT is added via the country's mandatory B2B e-invoice channel (IVA 21% via FACe/SII (AEAT)). Our Madrid production hub serves the whole country with same-day delivery in the capital and next-day nationwide via local courier networks. Strike-off samples are billable separately and credited 100% against the production order on qualifying volumes within 60 days. EU reverse-charge applies for clients with valid EU VAT IDs outside Spain.
FAQ
How much advance notice do you need?
Standard lead time is 10-15 working days from sign-off. Rush production possible at +35% with 7-10 day delivery.
Who in my team should own this?
Procurement lead for budget and contracts, brand manager for design and approvals, project owner for timeline coordination.
Do you provide playbooks or templates?
Yes — request our procurement template pack with RFP forms, RACI matrices and approval-gate checklists.
VAT and invoicing?
21% VAT via IVA 21% via FACe/SII (AEAT). EU reverse-charge for valid VAT IDs.
Multi-country rollouts?
Yes — single contract, country-level fulfilment from Madrid and partner hubs across the EU.