Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game

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Buy Then Build is the definitive guide for entrepreneurs considering acquiring an existing business rather than starting one from scratch. Walker Deibel, a serial acquisition entrepreneur himself, lays out the case for why buying a business is often a faster and less risky path to business ownership than a startup. The book covers the entire acquisition process, from developing an acquisition thesis and identifying targets through valuation, due diligence, deal structuring, and financing. Deibel draws on research showing that acquiring an existing business significantly increases the probability of entrepreneurial success compared to launching a new venture. The book has become a foundational text in the search fund and ETA community.