Search Fund Accelerator (SFA)

About

Search Fund Accelerator (SFA), based in Boston, is widely recognized as the first dedicated accelerator program for entrepreneurship through acquisition. Founded by Jim Southern and Peter Kelly, SFA provides aspiring search fund entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and a structured framework to identify, acquire, and operate small businesses. The program typically funds the search phase and co-invests in acquisitions alongside its network of institutional and individual investors. SFA has backed dozens of searchers since its founding and reports an acquisition rate of approximately 88%, significantly higher than the industry average. The accelerator model pioneered by SFA has influenced numerous similar programs globally. SFA focuses on traditional search fund economics with an emphasis on coaching searchers through the full lifecycle, from deal sourcing and due diligence to post-acquisition value creation.