Acquisition Entrepreneurship for Digital Businesses With Alexander Kelm [Ep.201]

Jan 13, 2026

In this conversation, Alexander Kelm, an acquisition entrepreneur and founder of a micro private equity firm, shares his unique journey in scaling digital businesses across Europe. He reveals how he sold a business before it even launched and outlines the benefits of acquisition entrepreneurship. Alexander emphasizes the importance of leveraging one's strengths and avoiding common pitfalls for first-time buyers. He also provides insights on sourcing deals, navigating due diligence, and understanding the European funding landscape, all while highlighting the nuances of cross-border entrepreneurship.

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ANECDOTE

Exit Before Launch

Alexander sold a marketplace before it launched after a wealthy rider offered to buy it during early validation.
He received a five-figure exit for an unlaunched product because the buyer valued the concept and community access.

INSIGHT

Acquisitions Shortcut Market Testing

Buying removes the need to test niches from scratch and accelerates market fit.
Acquisition entrepreneurship lets you start from existing traction instead of guessing product-market fit.

ADVICE

Start With Skills And Network

Do list your skills and niches before pursuing acquisitions to gain a competitive edge.
Do build a network and join communities to learn and find deals from operators and mentors.

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In this episode, we're joined by Alexander Kelm, an acquisition entrepreneur and founder of a micro private equity firm focused on buying, growing, and scaling digital businesses across Europe.

Alexander shares his unconventional path into acquisitions, including how he sold a business before he had even fully started it. He explains why acquisition entrepreneurship can be such a powerful strategy for digital business owners and how focusing on your strengths, rather than chasing every opportunity, dramatically improves your odds of success.

For first-time buyers, Alexander offers practical, no-fluff guidance on getting started. He breaks down the most common mistakes new acquirers make, how to find quality acquisition opportunities, and what his due diligence process looks like in practice.

The conversation also dives into the European acquisition landscape, where Alexander explains the funding options available to entrepreneurs and the real-world challenges of setting up and operating businesses in the EU.

If acquisitions are on your radar as a growth strategy, learning from someone actively sourcing deals, closing acquisitions, and scaling real businesses can save you years of trial and error.

Topics Discussed in this episode:

Alexander's background and how he sold a business before even launching it (01:42)
Why acquisition entrepreneurship is so powerful for digital businesses (09:35)
Avoid failure by playing to your strengths (12:24)
Alexander's advice for a first-time business buyer (15:58)
Common mistakes first-time buyers make (18:09)
Finding and vetting business acquisitions (21:25)
Alexander's due diligence process (26:50)
European funding options for entrepreneurs (30:23)
Alexander's post-acquisition growth playbook (34:09)
The challenges of setting up a business in the EU (36:44)

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Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the ins and outs of acquisition entrepreneurship in Europe.