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The SBA Advantage: How Matthias Smith Helps Entrepreneurs Buy Businesses
In this episode of Permanent Equity, Michael Crow sits down with Matthias Smith, founder of Pioneer Capital Advisory and an expert in SBA 7(a) acquisition financing. Since launching his firm in 2022, Matthias has built an eight-person team that’s helped close more than $100 million in SBA-backed transactions. He shares how a chance entry into banking led to a career empowering entrepreneurs to acquire and grow small businesses. Michael and Matthias explore how SBA programs have evolved, recent regulatory changes, and what buyers should know about seller notes, deal structure, and post-closing liquidity. Matthias also discusses his path from employee to entrepreneur, the rise of ETA and franchise models, and his goals for expanding into independent sponsor financing.
_______________________________________________________________
[00:00:26] Matthias’s background and introduction to SBA lending.
[00:03:10] Early career in banking and how he discovered small business financing.
[00:07:45] Evolution of the SBA loan landscape and its expanding role.
[00:10:50] Why Matthias launched Pioneer Capital Advisory and leveraged social media.
[00:15:32] The SBA’s mission shift from “last resort” to a mainstream financing option.
[00:21:18] The structure and process of an SBA 7(a) loan from start to finish.
[00:27:44] Importance of post-closing liquidity and what banks look for.
[00:33:56] How rising rates and looser guidelines affected borrower quality.
[00:37:41] Understanding seller notes, guarantees, and new SBA rules.
[00:42:03] Using SBA financing for roll-ups and Paris Pursuit structures.
[00:46:55] SBA’s updated stance on franchise lending and its implications.
[00:51:40] Advice for mid-career professionals entering entrepreneurship through acquisition.
[00:56:25] Pioneer Capital’s next frontier: independent sponsor financing.
[01:00:10] Lessons learned from leaving corporate life and building a company from scratch.
[01:02:22] Matthias’s advice for structuring smart leverage and maintaining liquidity.
[01:05:14] Closing reflections and where to connect with Matthias and Pioneer Capital Advisory.
Links:
Matthias Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiassmith
Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/
View all episodes
By Crow CompaniesIn this episode of Permanent Equity, Michael Crow sits down with Matthias Smith, founder of Pioneer Capital Advisory and an expert in SBA 7(a) acquisition financing. Since launching his firm in 2022, Matthias has built an eight-person team that’s helped close more than $100 million in SBA-backed transactions. He shares how a chance entry into banking led to a career empowering entrepreneurs to acquire and grow small businesses. Michael and Matthias explore how SBA programs have evolved, recent regulatory changes, and what buyers should know about seller notes, deal structure, and post-closing liquidity. Matthias also discusses his path from employee to entrepreneur, the rise of ETA and franchise models, and his goals for expanding into independent sponsor financing.
_______________________________________________________________
[00:00:26] Matthias’s background and introduction to SBA lending.
[00:03:10] Early career in banking and how he discovered small business financing.
[00:07:45] Evolution of the SBA loan landscape and its expanding role.
[00:10:50] Why Matthias launched Pioneer Capital Advisory and leveraged social media.
[00:15:32] The SBA’s mission shift from “last resort” to a mainstream financing option.
[00:21:18] The structure and process of an SBA 7(a) loan from start to finish.
[00:27:44] Importance of post-closing liquidity and what banks look for.
[00:33:56] How rising rates and looser guidelines affected borrower quality.
[00:37:41] Understanding seller notes, guarantees, and new SBA rules.
[00:42:03] Using SBA financing for roll-ups and Paris Pursuit structures.
[00:46:55] SBA’s updated stance on franchise lending and its implications.
[00:51:40] Advice for mid-career professionals entering entrepreneurship through acquisition.
[00:56:25] Pioneer Capital’s next frontier: independent sponsor financing.
[01:00:10] Lessons learned from leaving corporate life and building a company from scratch.
[01:02:22] Matthias’s advice for structuring smart leverage and maintaining liquidity.
[01:05:14] Closing reflections and where to connect with Matthias and Pioneer Capital Advisory.
Links:
Matthias Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiassmith
Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/