Funded Search vs Self Funded for a Non MBA Searcher?

searcher profile

December 11, 2025

by a searcher from British Columbia Institute of Technology in Vancouver, BC, Canada

I’m a non MBA professional based in British Columbia with several years of leadership and project management experience in the tech/ infrastructure/construction space. I am developing my thesis for a self funded or independent sponsor search focused on Western Canada, and I am also evaluating whether it makes sense to consider a traditional funded search.For investors who fund traditional searches, I am curious about how often you back searchers without an MBA. What qualities such as operational experience, sector knowledge, leadership ability or overall CEO readiness can meaningfully offset not having an MBA?I am trying to understand whether funded search investors use the search period to actively evaluate a searcher’s ability to step into the CEO role, or if in reality it is more likely that someone without an MBA would receive investor support only once a deal is already under LOI rather than at the search stage.I would really appreciate any insight from both investors and searchers who have gone through either path. I am also open to connecting directly. Feel free to message me. Thanks!
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commentor profile
Reply by a professional
from Stanford University in Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA
Having an MBA is only one data point in evaluating a principal, and a lot less important than things like track record. Every high-profile large-cap blunder that was ever made had a squadron of top-tier MBAs behind it. The degree isn't magic or necessary. Go forth - you're good. Thanks for the tag, ^redacted
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Reply by an investor
from Brussels Management School (ICHEC) in Belgium
Hi Paula, we are SF investors based in Europe and investing in North America. We have already backed searchers and invested in several deals in the US, Canada and Mexico. Feel free to send me a note if you want to talk this through: redacted
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