Acquiring a company immediately post-MBA is a viable option for students with the skills and confidence to lead the growth of a small business. Some students choose to use the final year of their MBA as an onramp to acquisition by starting their searching during the second half of their second year. If this pathway feels right for you, then please read How to Prepare for a Search Fund During Your MBA.

Suggested path for those seeking to move into ETA immediately post-graduation

1️⃣First year of your MBA

Build a strong foundation through your coursework. See suggested courses here.

☀️Summer internship

Intern with an operator, a search fund, or work directly with a searcher.

Examples include Search Fund Accelerator Summer Internship program and NextGen Growth Partners internships.

2️⃣ Second year of your MBA

Enroll in the Entrepreneurship through Acquisition course in Fall Term 2. Identify a mentor and enroll in Mentored Study in the Spring semester to begin your search.

Begin connecting with funding sources, so establish a relationship in advance of needed access to capital.