ASN x IFS Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Masterclass with AI
Thinking about starting acquiring a business but not sure where to begin?
Don’t start a business from zero. Learn how to acquire one that already works.
Have you thought about becoming a business owner—but felt uncertain about what to build, where to begin, or how long it would take to become profitable?
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) offers another path: buying and growing an established business with existing customers, operations, employees and cash flow.
Join Asia Startup Network (ASN) and the Institute for Greatness (IFG) for a practical masterclass designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs understand how to identify, evaluate, finance, acquire and grow an existing business.
You will also discover how AI tools can support opportunity research, initial deal screening, business analysis and acquisition planning.
Is this masterclass for you?
This masterclass may be suitable if:
You want greater control over your career and financial future.
You want to own a business without necessarily starting from scratch.
You are concerned about retrenchment, career stagnation or AI disrupting your role.
You want to build an additional income stream or transition into entrepreneurship.
You are exploring search funds, management buy-ins or SME acquisitions.
You want a practical framework for assessing whether ETA is right for you.
You already have a potential acquisition opportunity and want to evaluate it more confidently.
You want to build long-term wealth through responsible business ownership.
No prior acquisition experience is required. Join us on 10th October for the kick off session + self paced masterclass.
What you will learn
By the end of the masterclass, you will have a clearer understanding of how to:
✔️ Find established businesses that may be suitable for acquisition
✔️ Assess whether a business is genuinely profitable and sustainable
✔️ Use AI to support research, screening and preliminary analysis
✔️ Evaluate potential deals, risks and growth opportunities
✔️ Understand common acquisition-financing structures, including options for buyers with limited personal capital
✔️ Conduct commercial, financial, operational and legal due diligence
✔️ Approach sellers and structure constructive negotiations
✔️ Avoid common and costly acquisition mistakes
✔️ Plan the ownership transition and manage post-acquisition risks
✔️ Improve and scale an acquired business
✔️ Develop business acquisition into a repeatable wealth-building strategy
✔️ Consider possible long-term monetisation and exit options
What’s the ETA opportunity?
Most entrepreneurs struggle for years before they see profit. To prove a concept or business model is indeed challenging. Thus, 90% of startups fail. Buying an existing business solves this. It lets you step into a cash flowing business Day 1. You don’t have to worry about going from 0 to 1, but focus on taking a business from 1 to 10.
We are currently in a once in a generation period where millions of small and medium sized enterprises (“SMEs”) are waiting to change ownership globally. There are countless SMEs already thriving or with tremendous growth potential with owners looking to retire and eagerly seeking new owners to takeover. This ETA masterclass will quickly lead you to 1) becoming a boss and 2) career freedom.
Join us for the live coaching sessions too - study the course materials whenever it’s convenient, then join the live sessions to gain clarity, confidence, and actionable advice as you work towards acquiring your first business.
Why Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition?
Building a startup can involve years of testing, product development and customer acquisition before the business becomes profitable—if it succeeds at all.
ETA allows you to begin from a different starting point.
Instead of creating everything from zero, you acquire a business with an operating history and focus on taking it from where it is today to its next stage of growth.
At the same time, many SME owners in Singapore and across the region are approaching retirement or considering succession. This creates opportunities for a new generation of entrepreneurs to acquire, operate and grow established businesses.
Buying a business is not risk-free, and success is never guaranteed. However, with the right framework, preparation and professional advice, ETA can offer a practical route into entrepreneurship.
How the masterclass works
Learn at your own pace and apply the concepts with expert guidance.
Self-paced video lessons and study materials
Receive 12 months of access to eight structured modules covering the acquisition journey, including:
Defining your acquisition criteria
Finding suitable businesses
Screening and evaluating opportunities
Valuation and deal structuring
Acquisition financing
Due diligence and risk management
Negotiation and legal documentation
Post-acquisition operations, growth and exit planning
You can watch the lessons at your convenience, revisit key topics and use the accompanying study guide and workbook to apply what you learn.
Optional live group coaching and Q&A
VIP participants will also receive access to six interactive group sessions with Anthony Tse.
Bring your questions, potential opportunities, financial assumptions or acquisition challenges and receive practical guidance on applying the course frameworks to your situation.
These sessions are designed to help you move from learning about ETA to taking well-considered action.
Our Trainer - Anthony Tse
Anthony Tse is a TEDx speaker (his talk “What Death Taught Me About My Career” is a top 1% TEDx talk with 1+ million views in first month!) and exit founder who spent 20+ years in top tier investment bank, private equity firm and hedge funds doing M&A deals and investing in US, Australia, Asia and Europe. Today Anthony manages his own wealth across asset class and controls his schedule to do what he loves while expanding his portfolio career. He sits on the board of many private equity investments and hedge funds. He also advises and coaches senior professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners around the world on how to be better business leaders and scale their businesses. He has been recognized by Business Insider for his achievements as a career and leadership coach.
Worth highlighting is he didn’t get to where he is in a straight line. He faced multiple roadblocks and pivots in his career. He was laid off twice when his employers shuttered. That made him realize the corporate ladder that we are programmed to climb is not as secure as it seems. Does he even want to climb the ladder that somebody else designed? Why spend his limited time fulfilling someone else’s dream but not his own? He decided to take control of his career to craft his own life story that he can be proud of – ETA.
His inspiring journey with twist and turns leading to ultimate success can be found in his book “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: An Insider Memoir.”
His Own ETA Journey
As a two-time entrepreneur, Anthony built his first company from scratch at 30 years old by starting his own hedge fund at the depths of the financial crisis. Later, he successfully acquired and built multiple preschools in Singapore, an industry in which he had no prior experience, scaled revenue by more than ten-fold with 50 staff. Eventually he sold the chain to a global education company. He spearheaded the entire ETA journey from start to finish for others and, most importantly, himself - from sourcing, negotiation, business operation, integration, and eventual exit. He is here to open up about his wins, but mostly importantly, mistakes that cost him.
As a client highlighted, “Anthony is an accomplished business leader with a strong track record, who could always see two- to three-steps ahead – someone who has basically been there, done that.”
The Big Awakening Came….
After working alongside and being mentored by many accomplished multimillionaires and billionaires, Anthony realized that anyone can replicate the process of owning and building companies. He could take what he learned from Wall Street and make many millions for himself on his own terms. Therefore, he can live a life of freedom, purpose and wealth that aligns with his values. Today, his mission is to empower one million people to create a life of wealth and fulfillment, one that is not reserved for a select few, but a choice that anybody can make when given the proper mindset and knowledge.
If he can do it, so can you!
ETA Masterclass – Essential
SG$488
8 Modules, On-Demand Access for 12 months
Comprehensive Study Guide + Workbook
Access
His Own ETA Journey
As a two-time entrepreneur, Anthony built his first company from scratch at 30 years old by starting his own hedge fund at the depths of the financial crisis. Later, he successfully acquired and built multiple preschools in Singapore, an industry in which he had no prior experience, scaled revenue by more than ten-fold with 50 staff. Eventually he sold the chain to a global education company. He spearheaded the entire ETA journey from start to finish for others and, most importantly, himself - from sourcing, negotiation, business operation, integration, and eventual exit. He is here to open up about his wins, but mostly importantly, mistakes that cost him.
to community with like-minded people
Upgrade to VIP SG$888
What you will get by upgrading to ETA Masterclass – simply top up SG$400 only
Everything included in Essential
6 x 1 Hour Live Group Q&A Sessions with Anthony Tse (Value $12,000)
Bring your actual deal, your actual numbers, your actual objections, your obstacles. Get direct guidance on how to apply what you learned to your specific situation, not generic advice. This is valuable coaching where deep learning takes place for you to take concrete action — across six sessions.Classroom dates
Kick-off Classroom Session (online)
Saturday, 10 October 2026
10:00 AM–12:00 PM (Singapore Time)
Live Group Coaching Sessions (online)
9:00–10:00 PM (Singapore Time)
Saturday, 17 October 2026
Saturday, 31 October 2026
Saturday, 14 November 2026
Saturday, 28 November 2026
Saturday, 12 December 2026
Saturday, 9 January 2027
Important Notes
A minimum of five participants is required for the series of live group coaching session to proceed. The organiser, IFG reserves the right to reschedule.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that they can attend the scheduled sessions. Recordings, if any, are subject to the organiser’s confirmation.
Curious about ETA? Refer to the following articles for more:
‘Search funds’ to buy SMEs spring up in the Asia-Pacific, but will they succeed?
New wave of SME buyers mining for ‘diamonds in the rough’ in Singapore, Asean
Testimonials
Raving client reviews!
✳️“I attended Anthony’s talk about his ETA journey at a Wharton club event, and it was life changing. Today I’m a proud owner of a waterproofing business that I acquired after listening to him speak. I would highly recommend Anthony as a coach and instructor for ETA.
While I didn’t know much about ETA, it was after listening to him at this event did I decide to pursue ETA. He started with how he was in a senior job that lacked purpose, growth and fulfilment and how ETA gave him the alignment he was seeking, something the audience could relate to. Anthony was like an open book who shared not only his successes, but his transformation as an individual, especially his mistakes, embarassments, and pain points. The full transparency is one of the reasons why this event was so impactful. He also shared how he transformed his mindset from being an employee to entrepreneur, from investor to operator, to embrace pivot and venture into something different. There was no sugar coating but rather a genuine session of knowledge sharing from the heart. I felt we were actually on a journey together.
Another reason why Anthony created a profound impact on me is his credibility. It is clear he is an expert who has spearheaded the entire ETA because of how he delved into the details from a first-person perspective, smoothly taking the audience from one part of the journey to the next – sourcing, diligence, negotiation, operations, leading teams and the eventual sale. The concerns that I had about ETA were addressed in merely 90 minutes as he answered every question posed by the audience with conviction backed by anecdotes.” – Hao Nguyen, CEO @ Winborne
✳️“With his own success, he’s also very open about sharing his failures and mistakes which I find highly valuable.” – Douglas Lee, Partner @ Ealat Real Estate Fund
✳️“Anthony’s achievements in his own career, including assuming senior roles in the corporate world and founding his own businesses, bring valuable knowledge and perspectives.” – Jesse Hortsmann, Director @ Boston Consulting Group
✳️“Despite coming from completely different upbringings and backgrounds, I found great value in his stories and ideas. You’d better believe that the first thing I did on returning home was to search for businesses to buy.” – Sai Ramachandran, Professional Speaker
✳️“His deep knowledge of building businesses, brands and leading teams served as valuable references for me to apply to my job.” – James Toye, Senior Executive @ Cathay Pacific
✳️“He has credibility given his diverse and global background in finance, building businesses and teams, and success in pivoting and transforming himself.” – Lincoln Lee, Senior Professional @ APG Asset
✳️“What struck me most was how open, kind, and genuine Anthony is, both on and off the stage. He shared his own bold career changes and life decisions with honesty and courage, inviting all of us to reflect and take brave steps ourselves.” – Andreas Gebhardt, Professional Speaker
Photos From Past Masterclasses
Important terms and refund policy
By registering for the masterclass, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
No-refund policy All registrations, purchases and payments are final and strictly non-refundable, including in cases of:
Change of mind or personal circumstances Inability to attend any live session
Scheduling conflicts
Failure to access or complete the course materials
Partial participation in the programme
Dissatisfaction arising from personal expectations or outcomes
Participants should review the programme details, dates, format and package inclusions carefully before purchasing.
If the organiser cancels the entire programme and does not provide a reasonable replacement or rescheduled programme, affected participants will be offered an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law.
Disclaimer
By registering for and participating in the ETA Masterclass (“Event”), I acknowledge and agree to the following:
Assumption of Participation & Release of Liability
I understand that the Event is conducted for educational purposes and that my participation is voluntary. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to release and discharge the Event organiser, its speakers, trainers, partners, employees, representatives, affiliates, and promoters from any and all liability, claims, demands, losses, or damages arising from or related to my participation in the Event or any associated activities, except where liability cannot be excluded under applicable law, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
2.Educational Purpose Only
All information, strategies, and materials presented during the Event, including any supplementary resources, are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. They are not intended to constitute professional, legal, financial, or business advice.
3. No Guarantees or Representations
The organiser and speakers make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, applicability, or effectiveness of the information presented. Individual results may vary, and implementation of any ideas or strategies shared during the Event is undertaken at the participant’s own discretion and risk.
4.Personal Responsibility
I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for my decisions, actions, and results arising from my participation in the Event and the application of any information provided.
5.Changes and Updates
The organiser reserves the right to modify Event content, schedule, speakers, or delivery format where necessary without prior notice.
If you're ready to embark on this transformative journey or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to marketing@asiastartupnetwork.com. Let's unlock your full potential together.
Visit www.asiastartupnetwork.com for more details.
About Asia Startup Network
ASN didn’t start as an educational institute or training centre. ASN is a living, thriving startup ecosystem. Their founders have spent more than one decade coaching and supporting entrepreneurs and created one of the largest communities of > 3,000 startup founders, operators, investors and partners in Southeast Asia to collaborate and support each other’s growth. Since 2020, ASN has been organising 100s of startup workshops, events and programs to help entrepreneurs leapfrog their growth and raise funding. Join ASN for the knowledge, but stay because of the network. These are the reasons why taking a course at ASN and quickly plugging into the community would move the needle more than you expect.
ASN is founded by Elise Tan and Andrew Tan. Elise has experience designing programs and personally coaching hundreds of founders at incubators and accelerators for over 10 years. She assisted more than 40 companies in raising more than US$1 million each. Andrew has more than 10 years of leadership experience founding his own social enterprise, building start ups and managing scale ups, as well as running ground up initiatives and communities, Andrew has a proven track record of driving growth and success and this will be transferred directly to this accelerator and its startups.
ASN began firstly with Mentor For Hope in 2020, an impactful mentoring initiative initially supported by the Temasek Foundation under the OSCAR grant. The initiative facilitated 525 mentoring hours for 300 founders adversely affected by the COVID crisis, connecting them with invaluable insights from 250 investors, partners, and experts.
In 2021, Elise and Andrew organised Makan For Hope Festival (with zero budget), a series of 30 virtual roundtables featuring VC managing partners and founders from notable startups like PropertyGuru, Shopback, and Carousell. The festival drew participation from 500 attendees, raising $123,000 in charity donations.
Ready to explore business ownership?
Take the first step towards understanding how to find, evaluate, acquire and grow an established business.
For questions, contact marketing@asiastartupnetwork.com.
Learn more at www.asiastartupnetwork.com