Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference

March 9, 2027

The Midwest's premier entrepreneurship through acquisition event is returning to Butler University on March 9, 2027 (sessions in Hinkle Fieldhouse and the adjacent Health & Recreation Complex). Join buyers, sellers, investors, advisors, and aspiring owners for a full day of insights, connection, and practical guidance on acquiring and leading established businesses.

“Whether you’re searching for your first acquisition, ready to pass the torch, or supporting others on their journey … this is your community.”

Across Indiana and throughout Midwest, thousands of small businesses are owned by entrepreneurs nearing retirement. Many lack a succession plan. These companies aren’t just businesses—they’re local employers, community anchors, and the backbone of regional economies. building something worth preserving. ETA Indy brings together buyers, sellers, advisors, lenders, educators, and ecosystem partners to strengthen the ETA pipeline across the Midwest. Whether you’re exploring your first acquisition, preparing to sell your business, or supporting founders through these transitions, this conference is for you.

2027 Preview

Format and Location

The Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference is a full day of practical programming across two tracks, Deal Mechanics and Paths to Ownership, covering everything from finding a deal to leading a business after close. Hear directly from buyers, sellers, brokers, lenders, and operators, then connect in the all-day Deal Lounge and Sponsor Expo before the closing happy hour.

In 2027, sessions will be at Hinkle Fieldhouse and the adjacent Health & Recreation Complex at Butler University.

Session Topics

  • Live on stage: a buyer and seller’s first meeting, and owners pitching their businesses for sale
  • Owners discuss what life is like after closing (one, five, and 10 years later)
  • Finding deals and becoming the buyer sellers want
  • Financing: choosing a bank, seller notes and earnouts, and limiting your personal guarantee
  • Other paths: franchising, roll-ups, partnerships, and going from employee to owner
  • What still protects a small business in an AI world

Registration for the 2027 conference will open soon. Subscribe to the email list below to be notified.

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2026 Featured Speakers

These speakers represent just a few of the voices featured at the 2026 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference.

Chelsea Wood
CEO & Co-Founder, Acquisition Lab | Chief of Staff, Buy Then Build

Chelsea Wood is an industrial-organizational psychologist and ETA strategist who helps entrepreneurs build high-performing companies. As CEO and Co-Founder of Acquisition Lab and Chief of Staff at Buy Then Build, she blends leadership development, human-capital strategy, and operational insight to equip acquirers to lead with clarity from day one.

Grant Hensel
Founder, Entrepreneurial Capital & Nonprofit Megaphone

Grant Hensel is an investor and entrepreneur supporting acquisition entrepreneurs through Entrepreneurial Capital, a $12.8M fund he co-founded. He also founded Nonprofit Megaphone, serving nearly 800 nonprofits with the Google Ad Grant. A former self-funded acquirer, Grant brings hands-on operating experience to the ETA community.

Lydia Henshaw
COO & Partner,
Neace Transportation

Lydia Henshaw is an operator and entrepreneur who specializes in building high‑performing logistics organizations. After acquiring Journey Warehousing, she doubled revenue and profits through process and systems improvements. Now COO and Partner at Neace Transportation, she leads team and operational integration across the company. She is also the author of Becoming Lucy (2023), a novel exploring resilience and transformation.

Chris Hirschfeld
Managing Director,
Capitale Analytics

Chris Hirschfeld is the Managing Director of Capitale Analytics, specializing in business valuation and transaction advisory. An accredited appraiser with deep technical expertise, he guides entrepreneurs through complex deals with rigorous analysis from diligence to closing. Chris holds an MBA from Chicago Booth and leverages his financial modeling and deal‑assessment experience to help acquirers focus on the metrics that truly drive successful transactions.

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Community Partners