WELCOME TO THE MISSION
Congratulations—you’re officially registered for one of our ETA events: Veteran ETA: Day Zero or Fireside ETA!
To help you make the most of your time with us, we’ve created this Learning Resources hub. Think of it as your pre-mission briefing, a quick way to get up to speed on ETA fundamentals so you walk into the room prepared, confident, and ready to engage.
ETA TERMS YOU WILL HEAR
The pathway where entrepreneurs acquire and operate existing businesses rather than starting from scratch.
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Search Fund: An investment vehicle where investors back an entrepreneur (the “searcher”) to identify, acquire, and lead a business.
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Self-Funded Search: An entrepreneur finances their own search and acquisition process, often retaining more control and equity.
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Traditional Search: A structured, investor-backed search fund where searchers receive financial support for both the search process and acquisition.
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SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle): A legal entity created to pool investor capital for a specific acquisition.
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Due Diligence: The process of investigating a company’s financials, operations, and risks before acquisition.
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Capital Stack: The structure of how a deal is financed—mixing equity, debt, and sometimes mezzanine financing.
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Deal Flow: The pipeline of potential acquisition opportunities being reviewed by a searcher.
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Post-Acquisition Integration: The phase after buying a business, where the operator takes control, implements strategy, and builds on the existing foundation.
NEXT STEPS BEFORE THE EVENT
You’ve already taken the leap by registering—now it’s time to prepare. Here’s how to get the most out of your event:
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Review the Key Terms. These will come up during sessions and conversations.
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Bring Your Perspective. Military experience is your advantage—be ready to share and connect it to ETA.
We’re honored you’ll be joining us. The work you put in here ensures you’ll walk into Day Zero or Fireside ETA equipped, confident, and ready to maximize every conversation and connection.
