At the risk of sounding a bit repetitive, here are the resources I’ve found to be most helpful: Podcasts: - Acquiring Minds with ^redacted‌ - In The Trenches: Not only for the great content on the search itself, but also a very honest view at the operations post-close, and the mental health challenges and stress that come with running a business. Very sobering from ^redacted‌ at Mineola Search Partners - Stikeman Elliott Perspective: A few great panels on search funds, with panelists from current and former searchers, brokers, and capital providers; a Canadian focus but still has guests from the US who offer cross-border perspectives; hosted by the very well known ^redacted‌ - Stikeman Elliott Views From The Market: another Canadian-based pod with ^redacted‌ that covers the broader middle market segment; select episodes with former searchers who are currently running or have exited their business, as well as capital providers. Books: - HBR Guide to acquiring a small business: a decent start but don’t expect to find anything groundbreaking. Also out of date given the post-COVID world and the drastic changes to working remotely. (eg. It says you’ll need a modest office space with conference line and filing cabinets). It’s short and easy read so it doesn’t hurt to start here. - Search Funds & Entrepreneurial Acquisitions by ^redacted‌. A much more detailed look at the realities of the fundraising, search process, and operating a business post close. Think of it as a double click on the HBR guide. I found this much harder to source but a better read than HBR given its depth. - Traction by Gino Wickman: for those who are looking at installing an “EOS”, this is the seminal book. A lot of free content on YouTube and their website that’s easy to digest as well, just to get started.

On the sell-side, Divestopedia has great resources that on the technical and practical aspects of M&A. Their Masterclass courses are helpful with the fundamentals.