How important is an MBA to funding partners?

searcher profile

August 22, 2024

by a searcher from Brigham Young University in Miami, FL, USA

I see many searchers with an MBA and great experience in consulting. I on the other hand only have a bachelor's degree and experience starting my Home Inspection company. Am I at a disadvantage? Would it be worth my time to get my MBA even if it is online? What advice would you give someone like me who enjoys the Blue-Collor work environment and is looking for a funding partner?

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commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
in Tampa, FL, USA
I am not a funding partner ^redacted‌ but do have some experience navigating conversations in this space. Also here is a nice summary of search from an investor perspective from ^redacted‌. Generally as the searcher, in the trenches, blue collar management / ownership experience will far outweigh the MBA. If however, you were searching for more of a white collar type business then the MBA may be more of a necessity. For you right now, there is a huge opportunity cost and time lost to get MBA even if PT or online. I would say your time is much better spent dialing in your search criteria and then sourcing several deals that fit.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investor-perspective-on-self-funded-search/id1569715379?i=###-###-####
commentor profile
Reply by an investor
in Asheville, NC, USA
I invest in searcher deals all the time, and there are three groups of people that I back.

1) The MBA/ PE people. Their advantage is in dealing with financials, projections, deal memos, bankers, etc. They also “speak finance”

Their disadvantage is sometimes they miss the forest for the trees, think of synergies that aren’t realistic, and have a hard year or two post close. They almost always figure it out eventually and do well, as they’re hella smart.

2) The entrepreneurs. Their advantage is that they “get” business intuitively, and will frequently be great in a blue collar scenario. Obviously the finance part is not as intuitive to them.

3) The unicorns. The people who have both qualities. They obviously have it all.

Personally, if you’re already this far and on searchfunder you most certainly don’t need an mba. Just learn how to put together financials via a couple of books and you’re good to go.
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