Buy-Side Proprietary Search Providers - Insights

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Searchfunder.com is an online community of searchers, investors, lenders, brokers and other professionals. Over 80% of those involved in searchfunds maintain a Searchfunder account to help them network, hire, and mentor others.

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In addition to accessing the most active online network of business buyers, Searchfunder licenses research that is simply not cost effective for individuals. Access over 15,000 industry reports and 50,000 transaction financials. You also get monthly credits for contact information for your company sourcing campaign with the option to purchase more at drastically discounted rates. Searchfunder has pre-purchased access from these data providers in order to empower individual buyers and to help searchers level the playing field versus private equity.

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While we are primarily a buy-side network, we do have hundreds of brokers that regularly post deals to the community.

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Absolutely! We have the industry's largest intern job board. If you are considering a search, the first step is to help another business buyer so you can hit the ground running.

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While a large number of our members come from dedicated programs at Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth, and other top programs, searching is no longer reserved for the elite. With the current abundance of dry powder in private equity, and an increasing number of business owners reaching retirement age, good deals rarely go unfunded.

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by a searcher from University of Richmond
in Richmond, VA, USA

9mos ago

Buy-Side Proprietary Search Providers - Insights

I’m helping out with a quick review of a buy-side agreement for a searcher looking to engage a service to conduct a proprietary search for them. I’ve seen a handful of these types of agreements but most of my clients conduct their own self-funded searches without engaging a third party provider. Would love to hear any insights on what is market and/or recommended options. I’m not a huge fan of these setups so I’m entering this with a healthy dose of skepticism for the product. Thanks

1 Like

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reply by an investor 9mos ago
from McGill University in San Diego, CA, USA

This webinar on acquiring minds might be helpful: redacted

reply by a professional 9mos ago
from Bentley College in Miami, FL, USA

A lot of great comments here already. The best advice I can give is to read the agreement very carefully. I’ve come across some from big name firms that were flat out unreasonable. One example: a clause requiring the searcher to pay a success fee on the deal even if the firm didn’t source it.