Best ways to generate quality deal flow?

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September 12, 2024

by a searcher from University of Calgary - Haskayne School of Business in Chestermere, AB, Canada

What are your best search tips and favorite listing sites for deal flow?

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Reply by a searcher
from University of Dublin, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland
^Gina Marin - I'd be inclined to lean heavily towards in person meetups, particularly geo relevant chambers of commerce etc - If you can open and develop relationships with owner operators at in person meetings of chambers of commerce (with a clear Acquisition/exit partnership offer that resonates with your ideal seller profile) word of mouth will guide you towards increasingly relevant potential opportunities.

Which Sectors / industries do you understand to an expert level? Which sectors are the best represented in your roladex (linkedin, former colleges etc)?

I think we can get caught up in trying to find deals "somewhere out there" and the reality is the best opps / deals may be waiting within our own existing personal network.

I often ask myself - if I wasn't allowed contact anyone I didn't already know somewhat or learn any new business area and had to build a longlist of prospective leads to qualify - who would this be?

Why look to the unfamiliar outside world first before turning over all the stones across our own existing networks first?

Your allies will be the most likely to point you in the right direction and make intros - If you start hearing the same intro recommendations then you may be on to a winner.

Hope this perspective helps - I'm about I start truly following my own advice in Dublin, Ireland and Cork, Ireland and Belfast, UK - b2c digital subscriptions / consumables and b2b SaaS
focus.
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Reply by a searcher
from University of North Texas in San Antonio, TX, USA
^redacted‌ Great points shared by others.
I’d like to add that focusing on a specific niche or vertical can significantly improve your deal flow by narrowing your outreach to relevant brokers and targets. Be mindful with brokers—while useful, you need to be selective. A hub-and-spoke approach can help refine your search area, making it easier to focus.

Set up a system to consistently engage with business owners. Whether or not a deal is struck, you’ll gain valuable insights. I found that this approach led me to a startup rather than an acquisition, but the journey itself is incredibly rewarding.

For listings, platforms like BizBuySell and Axial are useful, but building relationships and off-market outreach are where the real quality deals often surface.
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