Search Fund Entrepreneurship: Buying and Leading Small Family Businesses

Dates & timetable:

This course about Search Fund Entrepreneurship (SFE in advance). SFE is a growing career path for graduates who are looking to become CEO of their own company by purchasing a small family business using third-party investment.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able prepare a private placement memorandum (PPM) to share with potential investors to start the process of searching for a company (stage 1); be ready to negotiate, analyse due diligence and structure the acquisition of the target company (stage 2); closing the acquisition to operate as the CEO of their own business (state 3); and finally, we will also consider the possibility of exit opportunities or long term buy & hold situations (stage 4).

Timetable:

Friday, 30/01/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 02/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Friday, 06/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 09/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Friday, 13/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 16/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Friday, 20/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 23/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Friday, 27/02/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 02/03/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Friday, 06/03/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)
Monday, 09/03/2026, 14:00-18:00 (CET)

14:00-18:00 Central European Time – Croatia, France, Germany, Spain,
or 15:00-19:00 Eastern European Time – Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Romania,
or 13:00-17:00 Western European Time – Ireland

Description:

This is course is well-suited for upskilling, reskilling, and professional upgrading. It is designed for individuals who want to strengthen their strategic, financial, and leadership capabilities, shift their career path toward entrepreneurship through acquisition, or prepare for executive-level roles such as CEO of a small or medium-sized business.

Learning Outcomes:

• LO1. Evaluate the suitability of different Search Fund models and stages for various entrepreneurial and investment contexts, justifying recommendations with evidence.
• LO2. Critically appraise small family businesses as potential Search Fund targets, using defined investment criteria and ranking them based on attractiveness and risk.
• LO3. Evaluate the completeness and reliability of financial, commercial, operational, and legal due diligence for selected target companies, identifying gaps and recommending corrective actions.
• LO4. Design and defend a negotiated purchase price and deal structure for a chosen target company, balancing the interests and constraints of both investors and sellers.
• LO5. Formulate and justify a post-acquisition strategic plan that integrates leadership, operational improvements, and innovation initiatives to create sustainable long-term value.

• Unit 1. Introduction. Expectations. Is this career choice for you? Dynamics you’re your Family. (4 hours)
• Unit 2. Raise the Fund: Building your investor’s network (4 hours)
• Unit 3. The Search Process: The Search – Sourcing Acquisition Opportunities (4 hours)
• Unit 4. Valuing acquisition targets (4 hours)
• Unit 5. How do you Due Diligence opportunities (4 hours)
• Unit 6. Understanding the Legal Documents: dealing with Legal Terms & Sellers. Closing the Deal. (4 hours)
• Unit 7. How to finance your acquisition. Negotiating bank loans (4 hours).
• Unit 8. The Closing Process & Transitioning to CEO. Managing the Business (4 hours)
• Unit 9. Monetizing your Business: Why, When and How. Life after Exit (4 hours)
• Unit 10. Group PPM (Private Placement Memorandum) presentations 1 (4 hours)
• Unit 11. Group PPM (Private Placement Memorandum) presentations 2 (4 hours)
• Unit 12. Final Exam. Summary and Conclusions – Feedback (4 hours)

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