Entrepreneurship through Acquisition
Entrepreneurs sometimes choose to forgo the traditional model of starting a business from nothing and instead focus on acquiring and operating an already established successful business. These businesses may have owners who are looking to retire or to pass on the business to someone qualified to run them.
Entrepreneurship through acquisition is a concept taught as a part of the Carnegie Mellon University entrepreneurship curriculum.
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Acquisitions
Blacktail Capital, LLC
Blacktail Capital is a search fund founded by Jake Cervilla with the sole goal of finding, buying and running a single small business in the Seattle area.
Acquisitions: Acquired Interland Design
Bowline Hospitality
Bowline Hospitality Group ac-quires and operates independent hotels in destination locales.
Acquisitions: Acquired two hotels in Key West, FL
Goodwin Point
Goodwin Point is a private investment firm created by Rob Southern for the sole purpose of making a strategic investment in one business.
Acquisitions: Acquired Ascend Software
GT Entrepreneurs
Private investment firm that works with a group of entrepreneurial Operators-in-Residence looking to individually acquire, operate, and grow privately held businesses.
Acquisitions: Acquired Promax Fence Systems, American Sleep Dental Medicine and Service-Tech Corporation (STC)
KeelBoat Capital, LLC
Founded to acquire and operate a small American business. Keelboat is backed by 14 experienced business operators and owners who serve not only as investors but also as advisors and mentors.
Progress: Raised a $400,000 search fund
Curriculum 2020-2021
REQUIRED COURSES
- Lean Entrepreneurship
45-805 - EntrepreneurialAlternatives
45-806 - Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
45-817 - Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Workshop
45-917 - Designing and Leading a Business Capstone
45-909
MUST CHOOSE ONE
- Introduction to Design Thinking and Practice
45-694 - Gaining Advantage through Sales
45-808 - Science of Growth
45-809 - Contracts
45-877 - Marketing for Entrepreneurs
45-908
MUST CHOOSE ONE
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
45-824 - Funding Early Stage Ventures
45-905
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition [pdf]
View Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Curriculum 2020-2021 [pdf]