Resources

Insights for every phase of
the ownership lifecycle.

Perspectives, frameworks, and real-world insights on how execution drives outcomes — for searchers, operators, and sponsors at every stage of the acquisition journey.

All Phase 01 - Aspiration & Prep Phase 02 - Search & Sourcing Phase 03 - Deal Structure & Financing Phase 04 - Ownership & Value Creation Phase 05 - Succession & Exit Industry guide
Anatomy of a Search Fund Acquisition: Deal Benchmarks from Stanford's 2026 Study
search fund acquisition, search fund purchase price, EBITDA multiple small business, search fund deal structure, what do search funds buy, SMB acquisition benchmarks, seller note, seller equity rollover, quality of earnings, pre-LOI due diligence, acquisition financing search fund, small business valuation multiples, entrepreneurship through acquisition deals
Anatomy of a Search Fund Acquisition: Deal Benchmarks from Stanford's 2026 Study
What do search funds pay? 2026 benchmarks: $16M median price, 6.2x EBITDA, deal structures linked to returns & a pre-LOI checklist from failure data.
13 Jul 2026
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Am I financeable? The question under every search
SBA 7a loan, SBA loan requirements, debt service coverage ratio, DSCR, business acquisition financing, equity injection, seller note, personal guarantee, buying a business with SBA
Am I financeable? The question under every search
Lenders underwrite the buyer as much as the business. The buyer file, the coverage math worked through, and the structure questions to settle before the LOI.
7 Jul 2026
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What the SBA's New $10M Combined Loan Limit Means for ETA Buyers
SBA 7a limit 2026, SBA 504 acquisition, ETA financing, acquisition loan limit, SBA lender acquisition, capital intensive acquisition, 504 loan acquisition, SBA rule change 2026
What the SBA's New $10M Combined Loan Limit Means for ETA Buyers
The SBA just raised the combined 7(a) and 504 loan limit to $10M. Here is what actually changed, who it helps most, and what to ask your lender before LOI.
20 May 2026
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The Acquisition Readiness Checklist: 14 Things to Do Before You Look at a Single Deal
acquisition readiness checklist, ETA searcher preparation, SBA pre-qualification business acquisition, equity injection sources SBA, acquisition criteria template, how to prepare to buy a business, ETA first-time buyer checklist, DSCR business acquisition, SBA 7a acquisition financing requirements, independent search acquisition preparation
The Acquisition Readiness Checklist: 14 Things to Do Before You Look at a Single Deal
The definitive pre-search preparation guide for ETA searchers. Complete these 14 items before you contact a broker or request a CIM. SBA pre-qualification, equity injection, acquisition criteria, entity formation, and more.
14 May 2026
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Fueling the Climb: How Early-Stage Growth Companies Extend Their Finances
Funding,Financing, Fundraising, Diversification of Financing
Fueling the Climb: How Early-Stage Growth Companies Extend Their Finances
By strategically combining these approaches, early-stage growth companies can effectively extend their finances, fuel their expansion, and lay the groundwork for long-term success.
15 May 2025
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