Approach
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit nunc ante ut at non arcu molestie ipsum in metus ridiculus.
Partnership Snapshot
Selecting the right mix of investor partners is arguably the most critical early-stage decision that traditional searchers have to make. Not only do we have team members who have conducted their own successful searches, but we also ran a search accelerator for five years. It goes without saying that we know search very well and we're ready to step in and provide value at any stage within the entire search cycle.
Funding
Raising a traditional search fund and looking for qualified investors to provide "smart" capital? GTE provides the funding and know-how to get you started down the right path with your search.
Search
Not sure where to start searching for acquisition opportunities? Leverage the systems and processes that we developed while running a search accelerator for five years. We know how to search the right way. Period.
Acquire
Need a second opinion on a potential deal you're eyeing up? We've looked into countless deals over the years and highly encourage our searchers to reach out to us to review their financial models in-depth with them.
Operate & Grow
Feeling stuck with certain operational issues or looking for new growth opportunities? Tap into our team's 100+ years of combined executive and management-level experience to help right the ship.
Searcher Criteria & Fit
It's very important that we're aligned with our searcher partners on values and approach. Please take a moment to review all of the following sections to see if we're a match in regards to your background and pending search.
Searcher Traits
Top Tier MBA Program
You gradated from a top-tier MBA program (or at least possess elite-level experience)
Tremendous Grit & Tenacity
You possess tremendous resilience and are relentless about getting past “No”
Operations or Deal Expertise
Your past paints you as a potential great operator or deal analyzer (bonus points if both)
Searcher Cap Table Need & Fit
We look to take 10–15% of your cap table—does this work for you and your cap table structure?
You've Done Your Research
You've spoken to at least 30+ past and present searchers, both successful and unsuccessful
Search Approach
High Volume Outreach
Conducting a high-volume outreach consisting of 300–500 emails and letters per week
Proprietary Outreach Focused Search
Most of your time (80%+) is spent on proprietary outreach versus brokered deals
Utilizing Interns for Outbounds
You plan to put a team of interns to work with helping to manage the outbound process
Partner Searchers Search Together
Partnered searchers must run their searches from the same geographic location as each other
Target Businesses
Disciplined Pricing
Mitigating risk via proper deal pricing if deviating outside typical search characteristics
Not Being The Highest Bidder
You can’t be the highest bidder on a business; acquisition multiples below 7x only
Seeking Opportunities, Not Problems
You want to add fuel to the fire and not have to figure out if there’s enough dry wood to burn in the first place
Seeking History, Not Potential
No early stage VC/hockey stick-type growth businesses with few years of operating history; Enduringly profitable businesses only
Seeking Profitability, Not Turnarounds
First time CEOs need stability; Turnarounds provide too little runway and room for error
United States Businesses Only
You are looking for businesses that are only located in the United States (not Canada, Mexico, etc)
Operating Style
Leader vs. Manager
You understand the difference between the two while also being comfortable in each role
Servant Leadership
Gravitating toward a servant leadership style with a focus on elevating everyone around you
Not Being the Smartest Person in the Room
You surround yourself with top talent and purposefully don't strive to be the smartest in the room
Being a Giver, Not a Taker
You’re more of a giver than a taker in the relationships you build with others
Entrepreneurial Drive
Burning entrepreneurial drive with relatable stories of past successes and failures
Authentic & Relatable
You're truly authentic and can easily connect with a Fortune 500 CEO as easily as its janitor
Making Time to Work On Business
History of making time for you and your team to work on the business (and not just in it)
Not a Finger Pointer
Your first instinct is to blame the process itself and not the person behind the process
Easily Embraces Challenges
Unafraid of smaller business challenges and aren’t afraid to get hands dirty
Humble
Understanding you’ll know nothing about the business, but disciplined to learn