Search Fund

Exploring Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition? Check out this new read, and follow the story of one searcher's journey from MBA -> CEO Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: Markus Scott's Journey from MBA to CEO of EyeQ Monitoring, via BNN Breaking "Entrepreneurship doesn't always start with a groundbreaking idea; sometimes, it involves taking an existing business to new heights. This was the case for Markus Scott, whose path led him from public accounting and mergers and acquisitions at EY to becoming the CEO of EyeQ Monitoring, a company at the forefront of the remote video surveillance industry. With an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management of Management, Scott raised a search fund, ultimately acquiring EyeQ Monitoring and transforming it through the application of emerging AI technologies in video surveillance." #searcher #entrepreneur #CEO #acquisition #MBA #Kellogg #Northwestern Northwestern University #entrepreneurship https://lnkd.in/esmDcEQN

Exciting news from Polsky Center at the University of Chicago! A great step for entrepreneurs and those interested in exploring this exciting field. University of Chicago's Polsky Center Launches ETA Fellows Program to Meet Surge of Interest in ETA "In response to the growing interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), the Polsky Center is launching the ETA Fellows Program. Made possible by a generous donation from Booth alum A Michael Muscolino, MBA ’99, cofounder and partner at Sixth Street, the new program kicks off in Fall 2024 and is designed to provide tailored educational opportunities and resources to Chicago Booth students who plan to enter the ETA space immediately or within a few years of earning their MBA. 'The knowledge, resources, and connections that I gained during my time at Booth were instrumental in my professional development and are still having an impact on my career to this day,” said Muscolino. “I am proud to be able to give back to the University and hope that the Fellows program will provide graduates exploring the ETA field everything they need to start their career off right.'” Read the full release here, via the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation https://lnkd.in/e5AzSeEn #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA #MBA #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness

Grappling with which path of entrepreneurship is best for you? Take a look at this new read, via Forbes: Do I Buy A Business Or Start My Own? "For anyone wanting a business, this question might be weighing on your mind: Do I buy a business, or start one from scratch? Each path has its own set of challenges, potential gains, and risks. The decision is one that most entrepreneurs will face at some point in their careers. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of whether to buy a business or to start a business from scratch to help you make a decision that suits your needs... Read the full article here via Forbes" #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA #MBA #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness https://lnkd.in/eExXdrTp

Great weekend read for those weighing the option to acquire a business: 10 Lessons I Learned From Failing My First Acquisition, via Entrepreneur Media "Even though my first acquisition went to the grave, these ten lessons prepared me for my next venture. Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) is quickly becoming a household term among aspiring entrepreneurs who do not desire to start a business but would rather purchase an existing business (not a franchise) from someone looking to transition out of their business. I was attracted to this option because you already have revenue, customers, employees and a system to grow the business post-acquisition. In 2019, I purchased a business that managed and operated cemeteries. Pretty unique, right? This business brought in seven figures in revenue and served a market that would be here regardless of recessions or economic downturns. What I did not expect was COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic threw in numerous unforeseen obstacles that impacted our revenue growth, labor costs and overall growth strategy. We went from planning to double the business within 12 months to liquidating assets, removing myself from the payroll, taking on a second job and downsizing the business to survive. Unfortunately, we struggled through the aftermath of the pandemic and eventually had to shut down operations in 2023. Despite my business failure, I learned ten key lessons applicable to entrepreneurs, franchise owners and small business owners." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d7NqdWaC #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA #MBA #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness

New on SearchFund.org: 3 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Consider Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition "Interest in entrepreneurship is at an all-time high. Data shows Gen X-ers’ share of 46% of all small businesses is set to grow over the next decade, while 93% of all Gen Zers have taken steps toward business ownership, indicating that entrepreneurship is set to explode once again. With traditional approaches to entrepreneurship now falling short, a change of paradigm is essential. This is where the relatively recent concept of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) comes into play, especially among mid-career professionals as they stand to benefit the most from current demographic trends. The idea of acquiring a business instead of building one from the ground up is nothing new by itself. What makes ETA different, however, is the strategy surrounding the acquisition. From finding the right opportunities and securing funding to optimizing growth post-purchase, this emerging trend has changed entrepreneurship in more than one way. Here are three reasons why every aspiring entrepreneur should consider it. Read the full article here via Grit Daily News: https://lnkd.in/e_btynWm #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA

👓 Weekend read... The New Wave in Business Ownership: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, via BNN Breaking "With a growing interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), entrepreneurship is witnessing a paradigm shift. Gen X and Gen Z are leading the way, leveraging demographic shifts, and capitalizing on the benefits of ETA, including overcoming upfront costs and bypassing initial profitability struggles. The 'silver tsunami' also offers unique acquisition opportunities. As the world evolves, so does the landscape of entrepreneurship. A significant shift is underway, marked by a burgeoning interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). A distinct departure from traditional methods, ETA is driving a new wave of business ownership, capitalizing on current demographic shifts and offering a sustainable, impactful path for entrepreneurs. Read the full article here via bnn #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA https://lnkd.in/d7FtrJB5

Great read from Inc. Magazine: 3 Paths Entrepreneurs Can Follow to Reach Profitability Faster "There is no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to implementing bootstrapping. No matter if you dream of making the world a better place or just creating the next big thing, profitability should always be at the front of every entrepreneur's mind. Profitability is essential for the survival and growth of any business. Without profit, no vision can be realized in the long term. Fortunately, reaching profitability doesn't necessarily have to be a process that takes a decade and billions of dollars to complete (looking at you, Uber). Though every company's path to profitability is unique, there are some strategies worth considering when starting a business. Here are three of them..." Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/eX6UNM3u #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA

#ICYMI from Equire Finance, Inc.: 📖 New read, courtesy of The Economist Many family firms lack heirs. Unrelated help is at hand: How to succeed when you have no successor "Handing over a family business to the next generation can be a dramatic process. If the company is big and progeny bountiful, the intrigue is followed with zeal by both the financial press and the tabloids. When 29-year-old Frédéric Arnault, the second-youngest of five scions of the LVMH luxury empire, took over its watch unit at the start of the year, speculation swirled about the succession plan being put in place by his billionaire father, Bernard Arnault. Yet many more heads of family firms face the opposite predicament: they have no heir at all." Read the full article and discover why #entrepreneurshipthroughacquisition is a path for many family businesses considering succession planning options https://lnkd.in/eCQnRKYR #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA https://lnkd.in/ehKgMXnP

📖 New read, courtesy of The Economist Many family firms lack heirs. Unrelated help is at hand: How to succeed when you have no successor "Handing over a family business to the next generation can be a dramatic process. If the company is big and progeny bountiful, the intrigue is followed with zeal by both the financial press and the tabloids. When 29-year-old Frédéric Arnault, the second-youngest of five scions of the LVMH luxury empire, took over its watch unit at the start of the year, speculation swirled about the succession plan being put in place by his billionaire father, Bernard Arnault. Yet many more heads of family firms face the opposite predicament: they have no heir at all." Read the full article and discover why #entrepreneurshipthroughacquisition is a path for many family businesses considering succession planning options https://lnkd.in/ehKgMXnP #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA

"Funded Ventures EIR Max Kleeman attended the University of Michigan Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition conference today and posted some reactions to what he saw and heard: 'Today I had the pleasure of attending the University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business ETA Conference! Here are some of my key takeaways that might be valuable for those interested/in the space. First, there are three ETA paths - 1) Self funded/Sponsored search, 2) Traditional Search Fund, and 3) Search Fund through an Accelerator. Internalizing your risk tolerance, operating time horizon, investors outlook, and differences in the economic models when thinking about your options. Second, "to create value as a small business operator, bring your former experience and knowledge into the business you ultimately acquire". For me, given my background as a former employee in a small business and a recent MBA grad, I understand how important creating, or preserving, a good culture is and how to contribute to, and increase, top line growth. I would encourage those interested in searching, or currently searching, to define how you will contribute to the business you ultimately acquire. Third, creating a 100 day plan, as well as a 3-5 year plan, post acquisition, can help lead you to your goals. I often forget how powerful goal setting can be when properly instituted, and today was a great reminder for me to continue tracking my progress towards mine with Funded Ventures!'" #entrepreneur #ETA #searchfund #searcher #acquisition #MA #entrepreneurshipthroughacquisition https://lnkd.in/ei8X2hxd