Top ETA Groups to Know: How Joining One Can Accelerate Your Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Journey
These communities are built for people like you: seasoned searchers and first-time buyers looking for support, guidance, and connection. In this post, we’ll cover what ETA groups are, why they’re helpful, and share a list of trusted communities you can join today.
What is an ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) group?
An ETA group is a community of people who want to buy and run small businesses. Some are solo searchers, some are backed by investors, and others are just getting started.
You’ll find ETA groups in different formats: Slack groups, local meetups, newsletters, paid memberships, even MBA alumni networks.
The goal is the same: learn from others, share your journey, and improve your chances of finding the right business.
Why join an ETA group?
Here’s what makes these groups so useful if you're buying a business:
- Better deal flow: Members often share deals, broker intros, and off-market opportunities.
- Advice from people doing the same thing: Skip the theory and get real-world feedback.
- Support through the tough stuff: LOIs falling through, seller ghosting, financing hurdles, you’ll find people who’ve been there.
- Accountability: Especially helpful for solo searchers who want to stay on track.
- Resources: LOI templates, lender recommendations, due diligence checklists… all shared within the group.
Buying a business doesn’t have to be a solo sport. ETA groups make the process more collaborative, and frankly, more fun.
ETA Groups You Can Join
Below is a list of active ETA groups we've pulled together. Most are open to new members and many are free to join:
Armstrong Teasdale's ETA Initiative – St. Louis, MO
What is it?
- Supports entrepreneurs navigating the legal and strategic complexities of acquiring and operating small businesses.
- Builds on 100+ years of client service with a focus on integrity, entrepreneurship, and teamwork.
Key Support:
- Provides legal expertise, industry insights, and a supportive professional network.
- Empowers ETA operators with bold thinking and practical legal solutions.
How to Join:
Carnegie Mellon ETA Program – Pittsburgh, PA
What is it?
- Helps entrepreneurial students explore acquiring and operating small businesses.
Connects students with CMU’s innovation ecosystem across departments, colleges, centers, and alumni.
Key Support:
- Offers resources to guide students from idea to acquisition.
- Fosters collaboration and commercialization across the university.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
Case Western Reserve University's ETA Program – Cleveland, OH
What is it?
- A global leader in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA).
- Offers an alternative to starting a business by acquiring and growing existing small companies.
- Typically, these businesses have $5M-$15M in revenue at the time of acquisition.
Key Features:
- Entrepreneurs attract investors, lead the search process, and often become CEO after acquisition.
- Partnership with Promise Partners, a nonprofit ETA accelerator, helps 65 members (44 alumni) acquire 85 companies.
Career Impact:
- Weatherhead and Promise Partners have built a thriving ETA ecosystem for future business owners.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
CincyETA – Cincinnati, OH
What is it?
- Focused on Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) as a path to successful business ownership.
- Provides support, resources, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Equips entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills, and a network to identify and acquire existing companies.
- Helps leverage assets and expertise for sustainable growth and value creation.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
Chicago Booth ETA Group – Chicago, IL
What is it?
- Provides students with hands-on tools, resources, and experiences to succeed in ETA.
- Focuses on search workshops, investor Lunch & Learns, service provider sessions, and peer networking.
Key Events:
- Booth-Kellogg ETA Conference – Insights on capital raising, deal sourcing, and company operations.
- Emphasis on relationships – Connect with alumni, professionals, and peers to grow both personally and professionally.
Support Throughout Your Journey:
- From fundraising to acquisition, leadership, and exit.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
EtA Club – New York, NY
What is it?
- Connects accredited investors with opportunities to co-invest in acquisitions of stable, scalable companies (with $500K-$7M in EBITDA).
- Focuses on deals led by motivated entrepreneurial buyers who often assume management post-acquisition.
Key Features:
- Each deal is thoroughly vetted by Club management before being introduced to members.
- Members gain access to a diverse and engaged investor base interested in entrepreneurial acquisitions.
Investment Opportunities:
- Deal flow includes Independent Sponsor and Self-Funded Search deals.
- Members come from diverse professional backgrounds, offering valuable operational insights to support successful investments.
How to Join:
ETA Circle – Houston, TX
What is it?
- Founded by Reid Pennebaker, a full-time acquisition entrepreneur.
- Focuses on building a business buyer community, not serving as a service provider.
Key Features:
- Hosts in-person events in Houston to connect entrepreneurs, share insights, and hear speakers’ acquisition journeys.
- Supports entrepreneurs through search phase, LOIs, and due diligence.
Goal:
- Enhances success by fostering a supportive community for acquisition entrepreneurs.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
Harvard Business School ETA Club – Boston, MA
What is it?
- Supports students exploring Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA).
- Offers resources, a strong peer & investor network, and skill-building workshops.
Key Features:
- Connects students with mentors and capital partners.
- Focuses on building relationships for the search, acquisition, and operation phases.
Awareness & Advocacy:
- Promotes ETA as a post-MBA career path within the HBS community.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
MIT Sloan ETA Club - Cambridge, MA
What is it?
- Connects students, alumni, investors, and business owners to explore acquiring and operating small businesses.
- Focus on search funds and micro private equity.
What’s Offered:
- Educational events and community building.
- Introductions to advisors and investors.
- Internship opportunities and networking.
- Annual ETA@MIT Summit.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
University of Chicago's ETA Program – Chicago, IL
What is it?
- Prepares graduating students and alumni for acquiring and growing small businesses.
- Offers a comprehensive suite of resources.
Key Features:
- Credit-bearing courses on ETA and specialized workshops.
Annual ETA conference co-hosted with Kellogg School of Management. - Access to capital, mentorship, and a strong advisor network.
Career Advancement:
- ETA Fellows Program and Discovery Program offer tailored opportunities.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
Venture Lab's Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition - Philadelphia, PA
What is it?
- Penn students explore business ownership through buying and growing small to medium-sized companies.
- Offers training, funding, and guidance for success.
Eligibility:
- Open to all Penn students for workshops and events.
- $50K Perlman Fellowship for eligible Wharton, Penn Master’s/Ph.D. students graduating in 2025.
How to Apply:
- Workshops/Events: Open to all Penn students.
- Perlman Fellowship: Apply here.
Contact:
Yale SOM ETA Club – New Haven, CT
What is it?
- Equips students with the knowledge and tools for Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA).
- Offers hands-on training, workshops, and curated resources.
Support Offered:
- Helps students build skills to search, acquire, and operate small to mid-sized businesses.
How to Join:
Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
Don't see your favorite ETA group in this list? Let us know! Email us here.
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