Searching in DACH?

April 15, 2026

by Luke Tatone from Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management in Portland, OR, USA

We're working hard to grow the Searchfunder community in the DACH region. Please take a moment to introduce yourself below. Some questions to consider answering: Where are you based? What is your background? What's your buy box? Have you acquired yet? Where do you need the most help right now? Where can you provide help to others? Anything else on your mind? We'll be able to have much deeper discussions if you can provide as much detail as possible. Be sure to tag (@) when replying to comments to make sure your sub-comments are read. If you know anyone else that should join, please forward this post or invite them with your unique referral link here: https://www.searchfunder.com/feed?openmodal=showrefer

Reply by a searcher
from MCI in Linz, Österreich

Then I will make the start: restructuring professional by education, founded an (unsuccessful) startup right after university, joined an industrial interest group for a few years, when I discovered ETA. Wrote my MBA thesis on the topic and found my first target right after. Restructured and carved out a business unit, in which I bought the majority of the shares without any outside investors. So in ETA terms: self-funded search without any investors. I am now starting my fourth year as owner-operator. Meanwhile, I am writing my dissertation on ETA, trying to define what makes ETA really work in Central Europe (cross-mode shared fundamentals of ETA along the flexibility-support trade-off equilibrium). Happy to connect with other successful searchers, but also with aspiring entrepreneurs, thinking about starting their search.

Reply by an intermediary
from Universität Vienna in Wien, Österreich

Based near Vienna, Austria. Acquired a company called the "Institute of Entrepreneurship" as a self funded searcher. The company focuses on helping mid-career managers in DACH start their own company. Aside from doing consulting work we are looking to invest up to €3 million in self-funded search deals. If you are a self funded searcher feel free to reach out.

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