Outsmart the Startup Game: A Guide for Acquisition Entrepreneurs

Buy Then Build: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Acquiring and Building an Industry-Dominating Business, by Walker Deibel

Walker Deibel is an experienced entrepreneur and investor who has co-founded three startups, acquired seven companies outright, and participated in over 100 business transactions. After the success of his book "Buy Then Build," he founded the Acquisition Lab, an elite accelerator that helps acquisition entrepreneurs with world-class education and a vetted community. Deibel is a Certified M&A Advisor and was awarded Thought Leader of the Year by the Alliance of M&A Advisors for his work on "Buy Then Build" and its impact on entrepreneurship, leading to its adoption in business schools.

Deibel advocates for buying an existing company rather than starting from scratch. He spent 10 years acquiring companies, starting with less than $100,000 and ultimately acquiring over $16 million in revenue, simply by leveraging an existing company's track record. With "Buy Then Build," his mission is to "democratize the private capital markets for entrepreneurs" and help them accelerate impact, growth, and value through this unconventional approach.

The fastest path to financial independence and impact for most people is through business ownership. However, many realize that the primary benefit of owning a business is the ability to make a meaningful impact. Deibel argues that acquiring a business is a more efficient way to gain autonomy and build generational wealth than starting from scratch.

Deibel emphasizes the benefits of business acquisitions compared to raising capital for a startup. Acquisitions are based on solid economics, existing infrastructure, and historical earnings, making bank loans readily available and the process faster than convincing investors to provide equity financing. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on building value rather than raising capital.

The book also provides guidance on how to generate your own deal flow and identify opportunities early, bypassing the common struggles of the search process. Deibel's expertise has attracted significant media attention, and he has spoken at multiple entrepreneurship conferences and graduate business schools, sparking a trend in the entrepreneurship community.

"Buy Then Build" aims to help entrepreneurs navigate the opaque and fragmented private capital markets by providing a framework for sourcing the right opportunities, securing funding, and building value faster. The book has received praise from industry leaders, including Verne Harnish, Codie Sanchez, and Joe Valley, who recognize its potential to transform the entrepreneurial landscape.

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