Former SBA lender turned founder of Pioneer Capital Advisory, a seven-figure brokerage guiding entrepreneurs through SBA 7(a) acquisitions. Closed $250M+ in financing in 3.5 years. Practical, data-driven insights for buyers.
Pioneer Buy-Side Brief: Why ETA Conferences Should Be on Your Fall Calendar
Why ETA Conferences Should Be on Your Fall CalendarThis week is a special one for us at Pioneer Capital Advisory. We’re about to help our 100th client close on a business acquisition. When I stop and think about it, it’s hard to believe it’s been just over three years since we started. In that time, we’ve worked alongside buyers from all walks of life, helping them navigate one of the most exciting (and sometimes challenging) transitions of their careers. Looking back, one thing stands out: Relationships are everything. And if there’s one place where relationships in this space really take root, it’s at in-person ETA conferences. From Small Gatherings to Cornerstone Events When we first started, ETA events were relatively small. A handfuls of buyers, a few lenders, and some seasoned operators sharing stories. Now, the ETA and business buying community has exploded. These conferences have become multi-day events filled with hundreds of buyers, operators, investors, and advisors, all swapping ideas, sharing hard-won lessons, and opening doors for each other. For anyone serious about buying a business, these conferences are no longer “nice to have.” They’re a chance to accelerate your learning curve, build meaningful connections, and hear directly from people who’ve been exactly where you are now. Why Being There Matters Sure, you can watch webinars or read articles - and there’s value in that - but being in the room changes the game. You can:
And let’s be honest: some of the best conversations happen over coffee, in the hallway between sessions, or sitting next to someone you just met at lunch. What You’ll Learn The best ETA conferences cover the fundamentals every buyer needs to master:
Where You’ll Find Us This Fall Our team will be out and about at several key conferences this fall, and we’d love to meet up if you’re attending any of them. We have 3 teammates who will be attending a combination of these conferences: Rafael (see his background on LinkedIn here), Alan (see his LinkedIn), and Myself (see my LinkedIn here). Feel free to connect with any of us before these conferences if you plan on attending (or even if you just want to connect with us!)
Why We Sponsor We’re sponsoring the Chicago ETA Conference and the Rice University ETA Conference this year because they draw serious buyers, operators, and capital providers and those are the conversations we want to be part of. Sponsorship isn’t about logos and banners for us. It’s about having a seat at the table where important discussions happen, sharing what we see in the lending market, and helping buyers structure deals that are both creative and financeable. Let’s Meet If you’ll be at any of these conferences, let’s grab a coffee or find a quiet corner between sessions to talk. Whether you’re still considering ETA or already deep in diligence, we can help you think through your financing plan and keep your deal moving forward. If you're a business buyer interested in meeting with my team at Pioneer Capital Advisory, click here to coordinate schedules. Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Business buyers are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel and accountant to ensure the proper structuring of their transactions and to fully understand the tax implications of seller financing. Thanks for reading! Feel free to reply directly to this email with any questions or thoughts. |
Pioneer Capital Advisory LLC
Former SBA lender turned founder of Pioneer Capital Advisory, a seven-figure brokerage guiding entrepreneurs through SBA 7(a) acquisitions. Closed $250M+ in financing in 3.5 years. Practical, data-driven insights for buyers.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve walked through the SBA loan process from application through closing and post-close liquidity. Today, we’re shifting gears. This issue kicks off a new series focused on deal risks and the patterns we see that trip up buyers before they ever get to the closing table. We’re going to walk through this one with a detailed case study: Two fictional buyers, same business type, same purchase price, two very different outcomes. Please Note: The buyers, businesses,...
Last week, we introduced the non-SBA financing landscape - why it exists, who uses it, and where SBA leaves off. This week, we’re getting into the deals themselves. Let's look at some non-SBA financed deals Every deal is different, but it helps to see how real capital stacks come together across various deal sizes. Below are three example transactions we’ll walk through. Notice how the deal structures and key terms shift as enterprise value increases. (These are fictional examples for...
This is part 1 of a 2 part series. This week, we'll explore what non-SBA financing looks like. In part 2 next week, I'll show you some examples of deals and how they're financed. We’re Expanding: Pioneer Now Helps Independent Sponsors Source Non-SBA Financing If you’ve been following Pioneer for a while, you know us as the team that lives and breathes SBA 7(a) acquisition financing. Since May 2022, we’ve facilitated over $255 million in SBA loans across more than 115 closed transactions. But...