Funded Audio

From Raising a Traditional Search Fund to Acquiring and Operating a Software Company

Betsy Harbison

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Betsy owns and operates Softrip, a leading multi-day tour operator, which she acquired in a traditional search following her graduation from Harvard Business School.

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From Co-Leading a Family Company to 'Buying and Building' an IT MSP

Nick Akers

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Nick Akers shares his ETA journey: from studying chemistry and working as CEO of a startup to helping to lead a family-owned chemical company. Nick ultimately left the company and pursued acquisition entrepreneurship, and partnered with Novastone Capital Advisors, a leading ETA accelerator, to search for, and ultimately acquire, an IT MSP, STL Communications.

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Navigating the Healthcare Industry: A Journey into Medical Spa Acquisition

Dhruv Patel

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Dhruv Patel shares his journey, from growing up in India to moving to the U.S. and serving in the military. Eventually, Dhruv earned his MBA at Washington University in St. Louis and started his acquisition entrepreneurship journey, which led Dhruv to acquire a medical spa based outside of Chicago in a self-funded ETA search.

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ETA in the Insurance Industry

August Felker

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August Felker discusses his ETA journey, which began when he raised a search fund and acquired Murphy Insurance, which he built and sold to Hub International in 2015. He also discusses Oberle Risk, which he currently operates. Oberle, based in St. Louis, was acquired in connection with a self-funded ETA search.

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From Computer Science to Business Ownership

Noah Weiss

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Noah Weiss discusses his career journey, from studying computer science at Princeton University, to working at leading technology companies such as Tesla, and his eventual search and acquisition of an electrical contracting firm, which he owns and operates today.

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The Value of Sales Skills in Entrepreneurship & Acquisitions

Walker Deibel

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Walker Deibel literally “wrote the book” on buying and building small businesses (“Buy Then Build”). Walker shares his acquisition entrepreneurship journey, from growing up in St. Louis to building a portfolio of small businesses and starting Acquisition Lab, which supports the next generation of AEs. Walker also discusses the current ETA and search fund landscape and “what’s ahead” for the industry.

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Diving Headfirst into ETA

Michael Heath

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Michael Heath discusses his ETA journey, which includes buying and building several small businesses based around St. Louis, including in the garage door/dock leveler and pool/spa industries.

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