Own a Business Without Building One — iGBA Entrepreneurship Series with Prof. Mark Smith
iGBA Entrepreneurship Series — Session 1 Own a Business Without Building One Tuesday, July 15 | 6:30 PM CT | Zoom | Free & Open to All iDegrees Students
What if the fastest path to business ownership isn't building from scratch — it's buying something that already works?
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) is one of the most under-discussed paths in business education, and one of the most relevant for working professionals. Prof. Mark Smith, Gies' only ETA faculty member and teacher of FIN 380/580, joins iGBA for a live fireside chat covering everything from how ETA actually works, to finding deals, to financing an acquisition with SBA backing.
This is Session 1 of the iGBA Entrepreneurship Series — a new programming initiative bringing the full spectrum of entrepreneurship to iDegrees students.
What we'll cover:
ETA vs. private equity vs. just buying a business
Search fund vs. self-funded model
Is ETA realistic without prior ownership experience?
What makes an ideal acquisition target
How SBA financing works
Where the best deals actually come from
The boomer retirement wave — is now the right time?
Trusted resources, communities, and books
Format: 35-min interview + 20-min live Q&A Open to: iMBA, iMSM, iMSA, MSBAi, and all iDegrees programs Recording: Available after the event for those who can't attend live