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everything you need to know about search funds
What is a search fund?
Born in 1984 at Harvard Business School, the search fund model has become a popular vehicle to back ambitious entrepreneurs who want to buy and run their own business. According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business 2022 Search Fund Study, the model has generated over US$9.8 billion for investors and over US$2.4 billion for entrepreneurs as of 2021.
While the model has gained gained traction in the Americas and Europe, it’s only just getting started in Australia. In August 2021, SMEVentures completed Australia’s first-ever search fund deal with the acquisition of ACE Training, now led by search fund entrepreneur Rob Gaunt.
Dive into the free resources below to begin your search fund journey.
Free search fund stuff.
Download our reading list, industry ideas, and more.
Reading list
We’ve assembled the most relevant reads for searchers like you. If you’re considering search, start with this list. If you’re already on the journey, these books, blogs, and podcasts will keep you going strong.
Industry ideas
Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. The possibilities are endless, so don't stop with this list! Develop a daily habit of idea generation.
Due diligence checklist
Here's a fairly comprehensive list to get you started. The list should be customized for every deal, and remember, hold your seller's hand through the process. Take it step by step rather than trying to do everything at once, which can overwhelm everyone involved.
Lessons learned
We called upon the global search fund community to share lessons learned from all stages of the process, and we received over 100 nuggets of wisdom. Read with intent.
Attorneys & accountants
These attorneys & accountants have been recommended by searchers around the world. We certainly haven't found them all, so if you'd like to add one to the list, please do so here.
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I want to extend a thank you to you for your blog and resources. The content you provide has been incredibly informative and insightful for me. Thank you and please keep it coming!
-Graeme Buchan, France
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I very much appreciate what you’re doing for the SF community. I like your writings on SME a lot.
-Martin Kominek, Czech Republic
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Read through the resources on your website – they’re fantastic, thoughtful pieces. Appreciate the contribution and though they’re very common sense, in the commotion of this journey, you lose some of that perspective.
-Divye Goyal, Australia
The search fund blog.
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Let’s talk.
If you are a high-caliber operator looking to acquire and operate a business in Australia, you may be a good fit for our team, and we would love to begin a conversation with you.
hello@smeventures.com
+61 (0)280 114 183
In this compelling episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Rob Gaunt, the dynamic CEO of ACE Training and MultiSkills Training. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Cape Town, South Africa, Rob's story unfolds from his early years in Perth, Australia, where he made the transformative move at the age of eight. A vivacious and sports-loving teenager, Rob's formative years set the stage for a remarkable career marked by passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
As we explore his path from a fun-loving youngster to the helm of a thriving organisation, join us in unraveling the unique narrative of Rob Gaunt—a testament to ambition, dedication, and the pursuit of success in the world of ACE Training and MultiSkills Training.