Deal Sourcing Optimization through Strategic Engagement

Member resources:

Frequent asked questions:

What is Searchfunder.com?

Searchfunder.com is an online community of searchers, investors, lenders, brokers and other professionals. Over 80% of those involved in searchfunds maintain a Searchfunder account to help them network, hire, and mentor others.

What are the benefits of membership?

In addition to accessing the most active online network of business buyers, Searchfunder licenses research that is simply not cost effective for individuals. Access over 15,000 industry reports and 50,000 transaction financials. You also get monthly credits for contact information for your company sourcing campaign with the option to purchase more at drastically discounted rates. Searchfunder has pre-purchased access from these data providers in order to empower individual buyers and to help searchers level the playing field versus private equity.

Do you have deals?

While we are primarily a buy-side network, we do have hundreds of brokers that regularly post deals to the community.

Can I find an internship on Searchfunder?

Absolutely! We have the industry's largest intern job board. If you are considering a search, the first step is to help another business buyer so you can hit the ground running.

What does it cost?

Searchfunder is a subscription service. We offer flexible monthly, annual and lifetime memberships.

Monthly

$79 / month

Annual

$19 / month

Lifetime

$432 / once

Those who maintain an account with us for over 4 continuous years are permanently added to the community without the need for a membership.

Do I need an MBA to join?

While a large number of our members come from dedicated programs at Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth, and other top programs, searching is no longer reserved for the elite. With the current abundance of dry powder in private equity, and an increasing number of business owners reaching retirement age, good deals rarely go unfunded.

Post a question, deal, job, etc...

Make a post...

Complete registration to post.

by a searcher from Stanford University - Graduate School of Business
in Dallas, TX, USA

4mos ago

Deal Sourcing Optimization through Strategic Engagement

How can industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events be leveraged to identify and engage with potential deal sources? What specific strategies do you use before, during, and after these events?

2 Likes

385 Views

reply by a searcher 3mos ago
from Harvard University in San Diego, CA, USA

Prior to the event get the attendee list (if available) and exhibitor list (definitely available) and scrub it for businesses that would fit your target size and owner demographic. Some conferences have the ability through their platform to set up meetings in advance. Or use LinkedIn to reach out. I also firmly believe in leaving open space to allow you to meet people naturally at the conference. They will ask what you do and what the heck "Color Geographic Feature Capital" on your nametag is. Be ready to answer that question in a way that will make sense to them. The dedicated networking events at conferences are usually just a round robin of people quickly exchanging business cards and typically don't lead anywhere. Spend more time with fewer people and follow up the next day.

reply by a searcher 3w ago
from University of California, San Diego in San Diego, CA, USA

Surprisingly some of my best informal conversations have come from low-key social settings like golf. I was amazed who you meet and how candid people get when they're not in a formal business context.