The Search Fund Guide

A Comprehensive List of Articles, Books, Podcasts, Videos & More for Search Fund Investors

Welcome to the Search Fund Investor's Guide. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the concept of search funds, we've compiled a comprehensive list of resources to help you navigate this exciting investment landscape. Below, you'll find recommended books, podcasts, articles, and studies that offer valuable insights into search fund investing and entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA).

Recent Posts

Featured
Search Fund Ventures Successfully Completes Initial Close for SFV Fund I
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Transition and Ownership Challenges: Lessons from Shifting from Analyst or Employee to Business Owner
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Working with Brokers and Sourcing Deals: Building Relationships, Consistent Follow-Up, and Efficient Deal Filtering
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Industry Dynamics and Risk Assessment: Understanding Key Factors That Impact Niche Businesses
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Exit Strategies and Long-Term Ownership: How to plan for the end game when acquiring an SMB, whether it’s holding for cash flow, flipping for a profit, or passing it down to the next generation.
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Bootstrapping vs. Investor-Backed Acquisitions: Strategic Decisions and Implications for Control and Returns
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Creating Value Through Operational Improvements: Quick Wins in Efficiency After Acquiring a Business
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Search Fund Model vs. Independent Search: Comparing Approaches to SMB Acquisitions
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The Role of Qualitative Factors in Evaluating SMBs: Insights Beyond the Numbers
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Building Operational Efficiency in SMBs: Streamlining Processes to Increase Revenue and Reduce Owner Time Commitment
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Books

  1. Search Funds & Entrepreneurial Acquisitions: The Roadmap for Buying a Business and Leading it to the Next Level by Jan Simon

  2. HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company by Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff

  3. Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game by Walker Deibel

  4. The Messy Marketplace: Selling Your Business in a World of Imperfect Buyers by Brent Beshore

Podcasts

  1. The Search Fund Podcast

  2. Think Like an Owner

  3. Acquiring Minds

  4. Let’s Buy a Business

  5. Private Equity Funcast

Groups and Syndicates

Join our Investor Group to gain access to top tier search fund deals and educational resources.

Useful Websites

  1. Search Fund Primer - Stanford Graduate School of Business

  2. Jim Sharpe’s Blog - Insights on raising a search fund and operating as a CEO

  3. NextGen’s ETA Resource Library - Articles and best practices for search fund investors

  4. Polsky Center Resources - Resources on entrepreneurship through acquisition

Videos and Courses

  1. Stanford Panel Discussions - Insights from industry experts and successful search fund entrepreneurs

  2. Acquisition Lab - Hands-on course on entrepreneurship through acquisition

  3. ETA Workshop Series - Comprehensive workshop sessions on legal aspects, self-funded searches, and traditional search processes

These resources provide a robust foundation for understanding the intricacies of search fund investing and the broader ETA landscape. By exploring these materials, you can gain valuable knowledge, practical insights, and inspiration from experienced professionals in the field.

Making The Switch: Getting Started With Search Funds

  • Schedule a Call

    Schedule a call with one of our general partners to get answers to all of your burning questions about Search Fund Investing.

    Schedule a Call

  • Investor Course

    Take the free Search Fund Investors 101 course to learn everything from how to source opportunities to the process of analysis and diligence

    Sign Up

  • Investor Group

    Join our investors syndicate to gain hands on expeience investing alongside our fund on a deal-by-deal basis.

    Apply

  • Managed Fund

    Our fund provides broad exposure to the asset class, allowing you to invest in a diverse portfolio of compainies with a single investment

    Learn More

Book a 1:1 Informational Session

Book a call with one of our general partners. We are happy to answer any questions you have about how search funds can fit into your well-balanced investment portfolio.