Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference

Hear from capital providers across the spectrum—committed funds, independent sponsors, and flexible capital partners—on what they look for in searchers, deals, and post-close performance. Panelists compare structures, return expectations, and how investment decisions actually get made.

Learn how to design a clear, realistic buy box that aligns with your capital, skills, and risk tolerance. This session shows how strong searchers translate broad preferences into specific criteria—industry, size, geography, and deal structure—that drive better sourcing and screening.

Explore how ETA keeps jobs local, preserves legacy small businesses, and stabilizes tax bases as many owners near retirement. Public-sector leaders and operators discuss incentives, workforce programs, and ways governments can partner with searchers to support community-focused acquisitions.

Go beyond simple multiples and learn how sophisticated buyers normalize earnings. This technical workshop breaks down add-backs, owner compensation, and one-time items so you can separate true cash flow from seller storytelling—and avoid overpaying.

Walk through a real ETA deal end-to-end—from first contact to LOI, diligence, financing, and closing. Panelists unpack key decision points, common failure modes, and the documents and workstreams that determine whether a deal actually gets done.

The first 100 days set the tone for years. Operators share practical playbooks for communicating with employees, stabilizing operations, prioritizing quick wins, and avoiding culture-damaging mistakes right after taking ownership.

A debate-style panel comparing self-funded, traditional funded, and hybrid/accelerator-backed search models. Expect candid discussion on economics, autonomy, risk, speed to close, and which path fits different personalities and life situations.

Learn how to turn a handshake agreement into a bankable, legally sound purchase. This session covers entity structure, purchase agreements, rollover equity, seller notes, reps and warranties, and how to protect yourself without derailing trust with the seller.

A candid look at the emotional, relational, and lifestyle realities of ETA that rarely make it into pitch decks. Includes a brief personality self-assessment to help you pressure-test fit between your temperament, support system, goals, and the demands of searching and operating.

Understand how self-funded buyers use SBA loans to close deals with limited outside equity. Learn eligibility, typical structures, timelines, key requirements, and what you need prepared to be taken seriously by SBA-focused lenders.

Not every profitable business is a good ETA target. Learn how experienced acquirers assess owner dependence, customer concentration, business model risk, industry dynamics, and growth levers to decide what’s worth a deep dive versus a quick pass.

Sellers and brokers consistently funnel the best opportunities to a small group of trusted buyers. Learn how to present yourself, communicate, and behave throughout a process so intermediaries and owners see you as the “safe pair of hands” they want to work with.

You’ve closed the deal—now what? Hear how operators implement systems, processes, and management practices that support growth. Panelists discuss building scalable operations and infrastructure whether you plan to run one business long-term or build a portfolio over time.

Break diligence into manageable workstreams—financials, customers, operations, legal, and technology. Learn how buyers scope third-party support, use quality-of-earnings work, and prioritize questions to surface true risks without getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

Tactical strategies for generating proprietary deal flow, from targeted outreach and industry mapping to leveraging advisors and local networks. Panelists share scripts, tools, and cadence management approaches that uncover owners who aren’t actively selling.

A practical breakdown of the ETA capital stack: senior debt, SBA, mezzanine, equity, and seller financing. You’ll learn what each source costs, how they interact, and how to assemble a financeable package for a first acquisition.