How Search Funds Finance Acquisitions (and What Sellers Should Know)
How Search Funds Finance Acquisitions (and What Sellers Should Know) Quick Answer Search funds are investment vehicles where entrepreneurs raise capital from investors to search for and acquire an existing business, typically a founder-owned company generating 500k to 5 million in EBITDA. The model operates in two phases: a search phase where the entrepreneur identifies […]
What Is a Search Fund Buyer in 2026? What Sellers Need to Know Before the First Meeting
A search fund buyer is an entrepreneur (or team of two) who has raised committed capital from investors specifically to acquire and operate a single business, typically in the $1M-$5M EBITDA range. Their mission is to become CEO of what they acquire, hold for 5-7 years, and generate a return for their investors on exit. […]
Inside the Search Fund Acquisition Process (From a Seller’s Perspective)
Inside the Search Fund Acquisition Process (From a Seller’s Perspective) Quick Answer A search fund is an investment vehicle where an entrepreneur raises capital to identify and acquire an existing business, typically a profitable, founder-owned company generating 500k to 10 million in EBITDA. From a seller’s perspective, search funds represent a buyer pool of operationally […]
How Independent Sponsors Buy Businesses (and What It Means for You)
How Independent Sponsors Buy Businesses (and What It Means for You) Quick Answer Independent sponsors are individuals or groups that acquire companies without raising capital in advance, sourcing funding deal-by-deal rather than from a pre-established fund. They represent approximately 5% to 10% of lower middle market buyers and differ from traditional private equity by focusing […]
Private Equity vs Strategic Buyer in 2026: Which Pays More and Which Closes Faster
Strategic buyers pay 1-2x higher multiples but slower close. PE buyers pay less but faster. The 5 factors that determine which is right for your business in 2026.
How M&A Deal Origination Platforms Are Changing the Buy-Side Game
Discover top m&a deal origination platforms curating exclusive, founder-led lower-middle-market acquisitions for private equity and family offices.