Seeking Non-SBA / Private Debt for Asset-Light Acquisition (Under LOI)

searcher profile

February 03, 2026

by a searcher from Columbia University in New York, NY, USA

Currently under LOI to acquire an asset-light education/coaching business and am actively exploring non-SBA debt financing options. Due to recent SBA rule changes impacting permanent residents, SBA is no longer a viable path for this deal, so I’m focused on private lenders / non-SBA capital for a cash-flow-based acquisition. Deal snapshot: * ~$1.0–$1.5m EBITDA (final add-backs still under discussion) * Purchase price ~$5–7m * Asset-light education/coaching business with proprietary software (~15% of revenue) I’m looking to connect with lenders (or get introductions) who focus on lower-middle-market, cash-flow-based transactions: direct lenders, private credit funds, family offices, or individuals active in this space. If anyone comes to mind, I’d really appreciate an intro or a pointer. Thanks in advance for any direction.
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Reply by a lender
from University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, USA
From our experience the last few years, conventional / non-sba acqusition lending is dead. Please reach out we have a SBA lender looking to move fast and pull PLP numbers before approval and at G845 verification. We will need a full file.
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Reply by a lender
from Trinity College Connecticut in New Orleans, LA, USA
Hi Youssef, this is exactly the kind of stuff we do in the $1MM-10MM range. Please reach out, would love to get introduced. redacted
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