First-time searcher – mobile games, niche used car dealers, and specialty auto shops
December 28, 2025
by a searcher in Orlando, FL, USA
Folks,
First-time searcher here. I’ve been at it since August and found this community just before the holidays. The last few months have helped clarify what’s possible and where I want to focus. I'm based in Orlando, Florida.
I’m currently exploring three aligned areas:
- Mobile games/apps – I spent 9 years running infrastructure and operations for online and mobile games, across both large and small titles. I’m targeting offshore acquisitions to be managed from the US after sale, but also open to US assets. SBA lenders haven’t been a fit - mostly due to lack of US tax returns and other structural issues - so I’m looking for alternative financing options, as well as user acquisition capital financing.
- Niche used car dealers – I’m primarily targeting businesses that sell online targeting specific niche segments, but I’ve also found a few clean and well-managed lot dealerships I’ve liked. The blocker has been SBA’s restrictions around remote buyers. (“Absentee” is probably the wrong word - I’ve been running remote teams in one form or another for 30 years.) I’m looking at non-SBA financing options for the right dealer - whether that’s a niche online seller or a physical lot with strong operations in place.
- Automotive repair shops – I’m open to shops in Central Florida, or remote operations with solid management that don’t require daily on-site presence. The more niche and specialist the better.
I’m primarily focused on deals in the $3M and under range, aiming for $500K - $1M SDE based on the equity I can inject - though I’m open to larger deals (and have to pass on a few) if there’s a path to outside equity or a reduced equity requirement.
I’m looking for managed businesses - not jobs - and interested in talking with others working in or around these spaces. Leads, ideas, connections, or financing suggestions are always welcome.