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Horizon Search

The Game-Changing Strategy of Acquisition: An Interview with Walker Deibel - ⁠Walker Deibel⁠ | Horizon Search 21

Aug 18, 2023
Walker Deibel, an expert in acquisition entrepreneurship, discusses the game-changing strategy of acquisition. Only 4% of companies hit the 1 million revenue mark, with a mere 0.5% reaching 5 million. Baby boomers dominate the business landscape, and 48% of US companies face a transition due to owner retirements. The ETA model needs revamping to handle these massive transitions. Tech advancements influence ETA's trajectory, and decisiveness is key with determining acquisition potential within 48 hours. Stability is assured with pay and benefits remaining unchanged post-acquisition. Deibel shares his pivot from starting businesses to acquiring them and mentoring through Acquisition Lab.
34:15

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Search funds have the potential to outnumber private equity firms if more MBA graduates pursue this career path.
  • Building a board of directors when acquiring a business provides valuable expertise, networks, and guidance that contribute to the success of the acquired company and reassure employees during the transition.

Deep dives

Search Funds and the Potential for Growth

The podcast discusses the potential for growth in the search fund industry. While search funds are still a minority in the entrepreneurial landscape, they have the potential to outnumber private equity firms if more MBA graduates pursue this career path. Additionally, there is a significant opportunity for growth in small business acquisition, as a large percentage of companies are smaller than what private equity firms typically consider. With a large number of baby boomer-owned businesses needing transition, there is a demand for talented entrepreneurs to step in and acquire these companies. Overall, the podcast highlights the expansive opportunities and potential in the search fund industry.

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