Independent sponsor investing gives accredited investors deal-by-deal access to established, cash-flowing businesses in the lower middle market, without committing capital to a blind pool. It is one of the more compelling corners of private markets, but historically one of the
Looking for the best small businesses to buy in 2026? You’re in luck. There are tons of lean, efficient businesses you can invest in that generate real cash flow. The key is finding one you align with that also has
Options CapitalPad Co-Investing Platform Online Forums Direct Networking Searcher Conferences Self-funded search funds are one of the most compelling corners of private equity that most investors have never heard of. The 2023 SIG Self-Funded Search Study found a median investor
At some point, almost every writer runs into the same problem. The article is solid. The reporting is there. The structure works. But when it’s time to add images, everything suddenly feels wrong. The stock photos look too polished. Too
Updated on January 2, 2026. Selling on Amazon is almost always an uphill climb, with competitors nipping at your heels and prices constantly fluctuating. To get a competitive edge, you need to keep your prices competitive in real time. That’s
A while back, I worked with a sponsor selling a small industrial portfolio near a major logistics hub. Each building had routine upgrades over the years, including lighting improvements, dock work, and modest office updates. Their earlier cost segregation had
At Smash.vc, we spend a lot of time helping our portfolio of small businesses tighten up their operations, and customer experience is usually where the real pressure shows. When a company is growing, every missed call or delayed response hits
How We’re Using AI Across Our Portfolio to Grow Revenue At Smash.vc, we spend a lot of time inside the day-to-day operations of small businesses. After a few years of owning and advising dozens of them, you start to see
The B2B sales landscape has evolved dramatically. Success requires more than persistence; it demands intelligent, data-driven outreach across multiple touchpoints. Sales engagement platforms have emerged as essential tools for modern revenue teams, enabling automation while maintaining the personal touch that
A Complete Dictionary of Terms and Definitions This search fund glossary defines 68 key terms used in small business acquisitions, ETA entrepreneurship, and investing, organized by category. We put it together based on the most common (and confusing) terms in
If you’re exploring private equity acquisition strategies in the lower-middle market, you’ve probably come across two models that seem to dominate the conversation: independent sponsors and search funds. Here’s the thing – understanding the independent sponsor versus search fund debate isn’t just
List of the Top Capital Providers for Independent Sponsors In this guide, we share a list of the top independent sponsor investors deploying equity capital in lower middle market sponsor-led transactions, including everything from established legacy firms like Petra,
Search Fund Resources The Complete Guide to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Search funds represent one of the most systematic and proven approaches to entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), offering aspiring business owners a structured path to acquiring and operating profitable small to
We’re capital partners for entrepreneurs acquiring cool things.
Search funds, minority stake exits, and SBA deals. Let’s chat.