First-time LP evaluating $25k–$100k checks in HVAC/Plumbing

Member resources:

Frequent asked questions:

What is Searchfunder.com?

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.

What are the benefits of membership?

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.

Do you have deals?

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

Can I find an internship on Searchfunder?

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.

What does it cost?

Searchfunder is a subscription service. We offer flexible monthly, annual and lifetime memberships.

Monthly

$79 / month

Annual

$19 / month

Lifetime

$432 / once

Those who maintain an account with us for over 4 continuous years are permanently added to the community without the need for a membership.

Do I need an MBA to join?

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.

Post a question, deal, job, etc...

Make a post...

Complete registration to post.

by an investor from University of California, Berkeley
in Cupertino, CA, USA

2h ago

First-time LP evaluating $25k–$100k checks in HVAC/Plumbing

Hey Searchfunder Community, I’m preparing to make my first LP investment into a cash-flowing trade service business (HVAC, plumbing, or commercial services) in the $400k–$1.2M SDE range. My goal is to deploy minority LP equity ($25k to $100k+) to help an operator complete their SBA 7(a) equity injection. I plan to keep my stake under 20% so I can remain a non-managing, silent partner and avoid triggering SBA personal guarantee requirements. As I build out my due diligence process and prepare to review live CIMs, I’d love to get feedback from experienced searchers and LPs active in the trades: Equity Stack Structure: On $500k–$1M SDE trade deals right now, what percentage of the equity injection are searchers typically raising from LPs versus funding personally or via seller rollover? SBA Lender Dynamics: Are you seeing SBA lenders push back on multi-LP syndicates with smaller checks ($25k–$50k), or are they flexible as long as every individual stays under the 20% PG threshold? Looking forward to connecting and learning from what you’re seeing in the field!

0 Likes

46 Views

reply by a searcher 2h ago
from University of California, Berkeley in San Francisco, CA, USA

Go Bears! Hey Jason would love to connect to talk shop.

reply by an intermediary 2h ago
from Harvard University in San Diego, CA, USA

I would love a lender to weigh in on this based on the new SBA regs going into effect next month. My understanding is any person with any equity in the acquired business must provide a personal guarantee. This is a departure from what used to be the 20% threshold.