Looking to acquire a Chicagoland business — $500K–$1.2M SDE

searcher profile

July 18, 2025

by a searcher from DePaul University in Mt Prospect, IL, USA

Hello all, I’ve been actively searching for the past 18 months and have come close on a few deals. I’m partnering with another experienced leader, and together we’re looking to acquire a profitable, established business in the Chicagoland area, ideally with $500K to $1.2M in SDE. We both bring executive leadership backgrounds and are ready to step in, operate, and grow the right business. Open to various industries — we’re not looking for a fixer-upper, but we’re also not afraid of hands-on work. If you know of anything on or off market that might fit, or if you're a broker or seller with something aligned, we’d love to connect. Thanks in advance, Scott
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commentor profile
Reply by an intermediary
from Howard University in Denver, CO, USA
At RKJ Partners, we specialize in supporting independent sponsors and entrepreneurial acquirers throughout the entire buy-side M&A process. Since 2008, we’ve carved out a niche in the lower middle market, focusing on ​operating companies and target companies generating EBITDA in the range of $1MM to $5MM. Our firm acts as an extension of your deal team—proactively sourcing off-market opportunities, managing outreach, coordinating diligence​, guiding negotiatio​ns​ and sourcing acquisition related capital. Over 95% of our engagements are on the buy side, giving us deep experience and a focused perspective on what it takes to close deals in today’s competitive environment. Whether you’re raising capital for a first-time acquisition or adding to an existing platform, we help you stay in front of owners and one step ahead of the process. If you’re an independent sponsor seeking qualified opportunities, seller access, and a partner who understands the nuance of your model—we’d welcome the chance to connect. Feel free to reach out directly redacted or visit our website to learn more: [www.rkjpartners.com]
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Reply by a professional
from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, USA
Hi Scott, I'd be interested in hearing more about what you're specifically looking for in a deal. Let me know if you’d like to chat - I’d be happy to help! Please reach me at redacted
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