{"product_id":"entrepreneurship-through-acquisition-a-proven-path-to-ownership","title":"Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: A Proven Path to Ownership","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"shogun-root\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\" id=\"s-74b71b94-cb18-4524-a654-de0019943328\" class=\"shg-c shogun-image-container\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1525\/4852\/files\/ETA_-_Fall_2026_Main_Graphic_-_Logos_Speaker_Photos-2.jpg?v=1784662774\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) offers a compelling alternative to the traditional startup path: acquiring and growing an existing business. This intensive two-day program provides a comprehensive introduction to the ETA process, equipping participants with the frameworks, tools, and insights needed to identify, evaluate, acquire, and lead a company.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough a combination of faculty instruction, interactive exercises, case discussions, expert panels, and practitioner perspectives, participants will explore every stage of the acquisition journey—from developing a search strategy and conducting due diligence to valuation, negotiation, financing, and post-acquisition growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned for aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and business owners, the program emphasizes practical decision-making and real-world application. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in acquiring a business, while learning directly from professionals who have successfully navigated the process.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you are actively pursuing an acquisition or evaluating ETA as a path to ownership, this program will provide a structured roadmap for turning opportunity into ownership.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**Agenda**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[tab_Day 1]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFriday, October 16 - From Search to Valuation: Building the Acquisition Thesis\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e8:30 AM - Opening Breakfast\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e9:00 AM - Program Orientation: The ETA Playbook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn integrated overview of the core frameworks that guide effective searching, evaluation, and decision-making throughout the acquisition process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e9:30 AM - Designing Your Search Strategy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow disciplined buyers define what they are looking for—and why—before ever seeing a deal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal and professional acquisition criteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct, industry, and market characteristics that matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractical deal-sourcing channels and intermediaries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e10:30 AM - Break\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e10:45 AM - Due Diligence as Risk Management (Part I)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding diligence as a decision-making tool, not a checklist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinancial statement analysis and cash-flow realities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBusiness model durability and unit economics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganizational structure and management capability\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e12:15 PM - Lunch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1:15 PM - Due Diligence as Risk Management (Part II)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeepening diligence to uncover hidden liabilities and assess deal quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuality of earnings and sustainability of profits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTax posture and compliance considerations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHuman capital: contracts, benefits, and obligations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustomer and vendor reference checks\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2:15 PM - Lessons from the Search and Acquisition Journey\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA candid discussion with an entrepreneur who has navigated the ETA process, highlighting real tradeoffs, surprises, and mistakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3:00 PM - Break\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3:15 PM - Valuation in the Real World\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving beyond formulas to understand how buyers and sellers actually arrive at price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyer versus seller valuation lenses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCore valuation metrics and assumptions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComparable transactions and market benchmarks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eData sources\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4:15 PM - Expert Panel: Interpreting Value Under Uncertainty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePractitioners discuss how valuation, risk, and deal structure intersect in live transactions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5:00 PM - Evening Reception\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInformal networking and continued discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[tab_Day 2]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSaturday, October 17 - From Deal Structuring to Ownership and Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e8:30 AM - Breakfast\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e9:00 AM - Assembling the Deal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow transactions come together—and where they most often fall apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstanding seller motivations and constraints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding credibility and trust through transparency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStructuring the deal: price, terms, and contingencies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNegotiation dynamics and crafting a compelling offer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e10:30 AM - Break\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e10:45 AM - Financing the Acquisition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvaluating capital structures that align incentives and manage downside risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDebt versus equity tradeoffs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTypical financing terms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEquity partners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeller financing\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e12:00 PM - Lunch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn applied discussion focused on capital, control, and early ownership decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1:00 PM - Creating Value After the Close\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShifting from buyer to operator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdentifying and prioritizing value levers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowth strategy options and sequencing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRisk analysis, focus, and capital allocation\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2:00 PM - Transition Management: From Owner to Leader\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA practitioner’s view on taking control of an existing organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeadership transition and stakeholder alignment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCultural integration and communication challenges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2:30 PM - Break\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2:45 PM - Legal \u0026amp; Accounting Roundtable\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA practical discussion of transaction mechanics and post-close realities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey legal documents and deal protections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTax structuring considerations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOngoing reporting and compliance obligations\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4:00 PM - Synthesis and Closing Discussion\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey takeaways\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecision frameworks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGetting started: A Roadmap for the next 90 days\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NYU Stern Executive Education","offers":[{"title":"October 16-17, 2026","offer_id":48900128571627,"sku":"ETA_2026","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1525\/4852\/files\/Shopify_Courses_Tiles_3.png?v=1781895064","url":"https:\/\/execed.stern.nyu.edu\/products\/entrepreneurship-through-acquisition-a-proven-path-to-ownership","provider":"NYU Stern Executive Education","version":"1.0","type":"link"}