I’m based in Seattle and am a new self-funded searcher looking for my first acquisition. My background is in software, AI, and operations, and I’m currently focused on blue collar home services and light manufacturing in the PNW. I’m most interested in businesses with strong local reputation, repeatable visual work, and trainable crews. Areas I’m looking at include landscaping/hardscaping, home exterior services, and specialty building products. I haven’t acquired yet. Right now I’m trying to build relationships with operators, lenders, brokers, and investors in the region. I can be helpful on AI workflows, software diligence, and thinking through how technology can improve small business operations. Would love to connect with other PNW folks.

Thanks @redacted‌ - I’m Elliot Rohde, based in Oregon. I work through Newpark Ventures as an operator-investor and independent sponsor focused on helping searchers and acquisition entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and broader West Coast find, finance, close, and operate lower-middle-market businesses. My first closed search-related transaction was in 2008, and I recently wrapped an engagement where I helped source, guide, and close a PNW business services acquisition for a first-time searcher stepping into the operating CEO role. This was my 10th funded transaction (3 VC, 1 IPO, 6 LMM). I enjoy working with serious searchers who have the judgment, persistence, and humility to get a deal done, but who may benefit from additional sourcing, structuring, diligence, capital formation, or post-close operating support. My focus is independent sponsor / ETA-adjacent. I am not necessarily looking to be long term CEO at this point in my career but willing to step in as interim CXO, Exec Chair, etc. I’m most interested in durable, cash-flowing businesses with local or regional strength, especially in services, healthcare/wellness, specialty manufacturing, hospitality, recreation, and real-asset-adjacent operating businesses. I tend to be most useful where there is a real succession issue, a seller who cares about fit, a transaction that needs creative structure, or a searcher who needs a credible partner alongside them with investors, lenders, and the seller. I also bring family office and banking relationships across the PNW, Mountain West, and West Coast. For searchers in this community, I can be helpful with thesis refinement, seller outreach strategy, proprietary deal flow, investor materials, deal structuring, diligence, capital strategy, board/governance setup, and the transition from “I found a company” to “I am now responsible for leading it.” I’d be glad to connect with searchers who are actively pursuing PNW or Western U.S. deals and want to compare notes, pressure-test a thesis, or explore ways to collaborate on a successful search.