Carnegie Mellon University

GTE Meeting

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.

Acquisitions

Blacktail Capital Logo

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 Group

Bowline Hospitality

Bowline Hospitality Group ac-quires and operates independent hotels in destination locales.

Acquisitions: Acquired two hotels in Key West, FL

Genoco allc

Genoco LLC

Two Tepper alums and their spouses searched and acquired a local high-end contract furniture dealer based. This acquisition was a platform into the construction space and has been followed by multiple roll-up acquisition after the original company purchase in 2019.

Acquisitions: Workscape, Continental Office Furniture Group

Goodwin Point Logo

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

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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, Service-Tech Corporation (STC) and Precision Body and Service Company

Hardtail Capital

Hardtail Capital

Hardtail Capital is focused on acquiring, operating and growing your small to medium sized business. Their mission is to continue your legacy by growing what you started, nurturing your employees and deepening relationships with customers and partners. 

Acquisitions: George J Howe Company

KeelBoat Capital, LLC Logo

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.

Acquisitions: Acquired HRTMS, Inc.

Curriculum

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 CONNECTS Seminar

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition [pdf]