Exploring Acquisition Entrepreneurship with Jordan Fliegel: From Sports Tech to Shareholder Ventures In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Jordan Fliegel, co-founder and CEO of Shareholder Ventures. The conversation chronicles Jordan's diverse journey from a professional basketball player to a successful entrepreneur and investor in the sports tech industry. Highlights include the founding of Coach Up and successful ventures like Draft, which was acquired for $48 million. The discussion delves into Jordan's recent focus on acquisition entrepreneurship through Shareholder Ventures, a holding company aimed at helping entrepreneurs acquire small- to medium-sized businesses. The episode covers various topics such as the current state of youth sports, the nuances of sports tech investments, and the unique opportunities arising from the impending retirement of baby boomer business owners. Listeners will gain insights into different entrepreneurial models, the strategic building of a HoldCo, and how emerging tools can assist founders in building and sustaining profitable businesses.
00:00 Introduction to Jordan Fliegel
00:09 Jordan's Early Life and Career
00:17 Founding Coach Up and Draft
00:39 Transition to Techstars and Shareholder Ventures
01:13 Discussion on Youth Sports
03:05 Jason and Jordan's Personal Reflections
04:13 Challenges and Realities of Entrepreneurship
16:01 Jordan's Journey with Techstars
31:53 The Concept of Shareholder Ventures
45:46 The Challenges of Running a Business Solo
46:10 Tim and I Bought Businesses
47:53 Joining the Center for American Entrepreneurship
48:55 Structuring Shareholder Ventures
49:28 The HoldCo Model and Its Benefits
51:04 Supporting Acquisition Entrepreneurs
01:02:49 The Role of Search Funds
01:06:53 Financial Structure and Cash Flow Management
01:25:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Entrepreneurs
