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From Search to CEO: Mastering the ETA Journey

From Search to CEO: Mastering the ETA Journey

Offered by Nicole W.

Experienced Investor & Business Buyer | Goldman Sachs, Citadel, Echo Street

Queen's University Logo

Studied at Queen's University

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Worked at Citadel

Description

The Search Fund Coaching package is designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to pursue the ETA path and take ownership of a business. This package offers comprehensive guidance to help you confidently move through every stage of the journey, from shaping your strategy to stepping into the CEO role post-acquisition. Key components of this package can include, but aren't limited to: • Clarify your goals, strengths, and areas for development to ensure you’re prepared for the ETA process. • Compare self-funded, traditional, and incubated approaches to determine the structure that best fits your vision. • Build a differentiated investment thesis and map industries that align with your skills and investor appetite. • Develop polished materials, refine your narrative, and learn effective tactics for securing investor commitments. • Establish a repeatable sourcing engine, including outreach strategies, broker relationships, and deal tracking systems. • Use structured criteria to screen targets quickly and dig deeper into the most promising opportunities. • Learn strategies for structuring offers and managing seller dynamics to reach favorable terms. • Apply a disciplined process to uncover risks across financial, legal, and operational dimensions. • Prepare for the first 100 days post-close, focusing on culture-building, strategy execution, and team management. • Access ongoing mentorship to adjust your strategy, solve challenges, and maximize value creation as an operator. By the end of this package, you’ll walk away with a comprehensive ETA playbook, a refined strategy tailored to your profile, and the confidence to lead a successful acquisition and transition into the CEO seat.


What you'll get from this package

Customized ETA Roadmap – Tailored plan based on your goals, readiness, and fit across ETA models

Investor & Fundraising Playbook – Guidance on crafting your pitch, building relationships, and raising capital

Evaluation & Diligence Frameworks – Tools to analyze targets, run valuations, and conduct disciplined due diligence

Acquisition & Negotiation Support – Strategies for structuring offers, managing terms, and closing deals

CEO Transition Plan – Practical guidance for stepping into leadership and creating value post-close


Additional details

Coaching delivered via live sessions and .

Refund Policy

Services included:

Due Diligence

Investment Analysis

Board & Investor Management

Deal Sourcing

Industry & Company Targeting

Operational Strategy & Support

Funding Strategy

Thesis Development

Process Roadmap

Investor Selection


Nicole W.

Offered by Nicole W.

Joined January 2026

Experienced Investor & Business Buyer | Goldman Sachs, Citadel, Echo Street

I'm an investor with 10 years of experience across hedge funds, growth equity and investment banking. I have more recently spent the last 2 years in the ETA world and been under LOI on 3 businesses including currently in process of closing a 9 location brick and mortar platform. I can discuss all aspects of the ETA process including sourcing, modelling, due diligence and raising money. Previously, I spent the last 10 years in investment banking (Goldman Sachs) and investing (Citadel and Echo Street) focusing on both public equities and private growth equity investments. I graduated first class honors from Queen's University and held multiple internships throughout college in finance including at Goldman Sachs in my junior summer where I received a full time offer.

Experience level: Vice President

$10,174.50

30h of coaching