Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)

About this Course

Want to own a business? While many aspiring entrepreneurs immediately think of a startup, there’s a compelling alternative with much less risk — acquiring and growing an existing small business. 

In this course, you'll understand how to buy and scale a small business through a process called entrepreneurship through acquisition, or ETA. Under the guidance of an entrepreneurship expert, you’ll explore the entire ETA lifecycle from start to finish. You’ll learn how search funds work as a way to source business-buying opportunities, secure financing, manage operations, grow your enterprise, and — once you’re ready — prepare to sell. In the end, you’ll take away real-world business insights and strategies that could help boost your career, create jobs and build long-term wealth. 

Designed For 

Anyone with some business or operations experience who wants to acquire, lead and grow an existing business.  

See Requirements

What You’ll Learn 

• How to evaluate the risks, challenges and opportunities of acquiring a small business 
• Strategies to navigate search, valuation, due diligence and deal-making 
• Financing strategies, including self-funded and investor-backed models 
• Post-acquisition planning to chart your growth strategy and prepare for your first 100 days as CEO 
• How to align your skills, interests and resources to create your own personalized, actionable ETA roadmap

Get Hands-on Experience

• Use a variety of tools and databases to conduct a simulated search for businesses you may want to acquire
• Conduct financial, legal and other due-diligence research on a real or hypothetical business
• Deliver an investor-ready pitch for a prospective acquisition in a live, virtual presentation to instructors and peers 

EARN A DIGITAL BADGE

After successfully completing this course, you can claim a digital achievement badge that can be shared on LinkedIn and other social media sites. Learn more about digital badges.

OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP

Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.