Approach
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Partnership Snapshot
Selecting the right mix of investor partners is arguably the most critical early-stage decision that traditional searchers have to make. Not only do we have team members who have conducted their own successful searches, but we also ran a search accelerator for five years. It goes without saying that we know search very well and we're ready to step in and provide value at any stage within the entire search cycle.
Funding
Raising a traditional search fund and looking for qualified investors to provide "smart" capital? GTE provides the funding and know-how to get you started down the right path with your search.
Search
Not sure where to start searching for acquisition opportunities? Leverage the systems and processes that we developed while running a search accelerator for five years. We know how to search the right way. Period.
Acquire
Need a second opinion on a potential deal you're eyeing up? We've looked into countless deals over the years and highly encourage our searchers to reach out to us to review their financial models in-depth with them.
Operate & Grow
Feeling stuck with certain operational issues or looking for new growth opportunities? Tap into our team's 100+ years of combined executive and management-level experience to help right the ship.
Searcher Criteria & Fit
It's very important that we're aligned with our searcher partners on values and approach. Please take a moment to review all of the following sections to see if we're a match in regards to your background and pending search.
Searcher Traits
Top Tier MBA Program
You gradated from a top-tier MBA program (and if not then you at least possess elite-level experience).
Tremendous Grit & Tenacity
You possess tremendous resilience and are relentless about getting past “No”.
Operations or Deal Expertise
Your past paints you as a potential great operator or deal analyzer (bonus points if both).
Searcher Cap Table Need & Fit
We typically look to take 14–16% of your cap table—does this work for you and your cap table structure?
You've Done Your Research
You've spoken to at least 30+ past and present searchers, both successful and unsuccessful, as well as various investors.
Search Approach
Hybrid Outreach Approach
Your outreach approach is a hybrid balance of being both personalized while still achieving 250–400+ new weekly contacts.
Proprietary Outreach > Broker Outreach
80%+ of your time should be spent on proprietary (i.e. cold) outreach versus finding on-market broker marketed deals.
Leveraging Interns, VAs, and /or AI During Outreach
You plan to work smartly by putting together a team of interns, VAs, and/or AI to help build and refine your outreach funnel.
Partnered Searchers Ideally Searching Together
Although not required, we strongly believe partnered searchers lead a more successful search when searching from the same city.
Target Businesses
Targeting 35%+ IRR
All search acquired deals should show a 35% IRR in your base case financial model with reasonable revenue growth.
Never Overpay; Remain Disciplined
Paying too much for a business jeopardizes your ability to hit 35%+ IRR. Any deal multiple greater than 7x is not search and increases your risk to succeed.
Seeking Opportunities, Not Problems
You want to add fuel to the fire and not have to figure out if there’s enough dry wood to burn in the first place.
Seeking History, Not Potential
No early stage VC/hockey stick-type growth businesses with few years of operating history; Enduringly profitable businesses only.
Seeking Profitability, Not Turnarounds
First-time CEOs need stability; Turnarounds provide too little runway and room for error for inexperienced first-time CEOs.
United States Businesses Only
You are looking for businesses that are only located in the United States (not Canada, Mexico, etc).
Operating Style
Leader vs. Manager
You understand the difference between leading versus managing while also being comfortable in each role.
Servant Leadership
You gravitate toward a servant leadership style with a focus on elevating everyone around you.
Not Being the Smartest Person in the Room
You surround yourself with top talent and purposefully don't strive to be the smartest person in the room.
Being a Giver, Not a Taker
You’re more of a giver rather than a taker in the relationships you build with others.
Entrepreneurial Drive
You have a burning entrepreneurial drive with relatable stories of past successes and failures (and lessons from said failures).
Authentic & Relatable
You're truly authentic and can connect with a Fortune 500 CEO just as easily as the same company's janitor.
Making Time to Work On Business
You have a history of making time for you and your team to work on the business (and not just in it).
Not a Finger Pointer
Your first instinct is to blame the process itself and not the person behind the process.
Easily Embraces Challenges
You're unafraid of smaller business challenges and you're unafraid to get your hands dirty.
Humble
You're humble enough to understand that you may know nothing about the business at first, but you're disciplined to learn.