At DueDilio and on Searchfunder, I often see questions about acquisition accelerators like Acquisition Lab, SMB Deal Hunter, SMBootcamp, Acquira, Contrarian Thinking, and the dozens (maybe hundreds) of other programs out there. These programs have become popular among small business buyers, offering education, mentorship, and a structured approach to acquisitions. Many of these programs charge upwards of $10K to join. For some buyers, they provide valuable support and guidance. For others, they may not be worth the investment.
I’m not here to give an opinion on whether one accelerator is better than another. Frankly, I’ve heard both positive and negative reviews about each. This shouldn’t be surprising, as you’ll encounter the same mixed feedback with any product or service.
Instead, I want to share with you that there are alternatives:
-- Self-Education: There's no shortage of free or low-cost educational content online. M&A podcasts, blogs, newsletters, Twitter, YouTube channels, and forums like Searchfunder can offer valuable insights without the hefty price tag. Consider using AI such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude as part of your tool kit. With the right discipline, you can create your own curriculum tailored to your needs.
-- Pay-As-You-Go Advisory: Instead of enrolling in a full program, you can hire independent advisors or consultants on an hourly or project basis. This allows you to get targeted support without committing to a large upfront investment. In fact, this is one of the most requested M&A services we see at DueDilio. Looking for free mentorship? Check out SCORE, where seasoned professionals volunteer to provide guidance at no cost.
-- Community Resources: Forums like Searchfunder and Reddit are home to active communities of experienced business buyers and advisors who are often happy to share advice for free. You can leverage these networks to learn from others’ experiences without needing a formal program. Don't forget all the great conferences and local meetups that you can attend.
-- Deal Sourcing: Most accelerators don’t provide access to proprietary deal flow. If you’re looking for brokered deals, you can access the same listings through aggregation platforms like Kumo, Interexo, BizNexus Marketplace, and Rejigg, which charge a small monthly fee. For proprietary deal flow, consider services like X5 Deals, BizNexus Concierge, or Captarget.
-- M&A Service Providers: Here’s where I’ll be a bit self-promotional. DueDilio is a free marketplace to source and hire highly vetted M&A service providers. We have 200+ vendors in our network offering services such as M&A coaching, legal services (attorneys), due diligence, and post-acquisition value creation. Submit your project and receive multiple proposals—it’s free to use, and you get personalized service. We’ve helped 500+ business buyers in the last 3 years. Don’t want to use DueDilio? Post on Searchfunder and your inbox will be flooded with introductions to (mostly) excellent vendors.
-- Lenders & Investors: Capital is abundant. If you need debt or equity to fill your capital stack, there are plenty of options. Consider services and platforms like LendedAI, Fundscout, Cerebro Capital, Swoop Funding, SBAmatch, SMB Junction, Multifunding, Viso Business Capital, and Deal Flow Xchange. Want to speak to SBA lenders directly? Reach out to Huntington Bank, First Internet Bank, Live Oak, Byline Bank, Celtic Bank, TD Bank, US Bank, Wells Fargo Bank – these are the top SBA lenders. Start there. Here's some data that may be helpful for you: https://careports.sba.gov/views/7a504LenderReport/LenderReport?%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no
Final Thoughts: Everyone’s acquisition journey is unique. For some, the support and structure of an acquisition program may be exactly what they need to succeed. For others — especially those with industry knowledge or a preference for a DIY approach — more cost-effective alternatives may be a better fit.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to small business acquisitions. Programs like Acquisition Lab and others can offer a lot of value, but they aren’t essential for everyone. Consider your learning style, budget, and specific needs before making an investment. If you’re looking for a more flexible or affordable path, there are plenty of resources and options available to help you succeed.
Would love to hear others' thoughts in the comments section.
112 views
7 comments
Sign in to see all replies.
Create an account.