Insights from: The 2025 INSEAD ETA Conference

What happens when over 350 of the sharpest minds in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition gather in one room? Pure entrepreneurial gold. For our Season 1 finale, we're bringing you the highlight reel from the INSEAD ETA Conference 2025 - six power-packed segments that distill hours of insights into your personal 30-minute masterclass. From Fontainebleau's historic halls, we captured the conversations that matter: where ETA is heading, how to finance your climb, and why your "why" determines everything. Whether you're drafting your first LOI or running a 50-company roll-up, these aren't just conference takeaways - they're battle-tested strategies from operators who've been in the trenches. What you'll discover:

• The ETA boom decoded: 20% CAGR growth, 42 countries, and why right now might be the best entry window ever
• Purpose as your north star: How driven searchers like VetCare Canada's Andrew Black turn chaos into competitive advantage
• Capital that fits your velocity: From delayed-draw facilities to seller psychology—when structure beats price every time
• Boards that actually help: The brutal truth about founder board seats and recruiting for chemistry, not just credentials
• Integration without soul-crushing: Templated processes for the spreadsheets, human focus for everything else
• Exit paths architected from day one: Why optionality starts with your first acquisition, not your last

Featuring voices from across the ETA ecosystem - seasoned operators, sharp investors, and the academics mapping our future. Plus an exclusive update from the INSEAD ETA and Search Fund Hub on what's coming next. No fluff, no theory - just the distilled wisdom of a community that's redefining how businesses change hands and grow.

00:00 Introduction to ETA and Conference Highlights
02:01 Evolution of ETA and Search Funds
07:52 Connecting with Sellers: The Human Element
14:01 Leveraging Smart Money and Board Dynamics
19:55 Exit Strategies and Value Maximization

Special thanks once again to everyone who made this episode and the conference a possibility. For a text-based summary, visit the INSEAD ETA & Search Fund Hub.